Diversity and inclusion are not just important values on the college campus. Now more than ever, employers are recognizing the value of diverse and inclusive workplaces. Just as students benefit from a diverse and inclusive campus, they also find value in an employer that recognizes their contributions and builds a welcoming environment, regardless of background.
This recognition is the driving force behind the IU Diversity Career Fair and Career Fair BootCamp, two events taking place this fall at Indiana University Bloomington. Held as a collaboration between Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (OVPDEMA), and the Walter Center for Career Achievement, the Career Fair will connect students with employers who value the importance of diversity in the workplace. Held a few weeks before the fair, the Career Fair BootCamp will prepare students by giving them the skills they need to succeed with everything from resume-writing to networking. These events reinforce OVPDEMA’s holistic commitment to excellence through diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the college experience.
“That’s the whole point of diversity and inclusion, to show that the students matter. Because we are putting forth an effort to create opportunities for them, they feel more of a part of the university, and that the university is specifically interested not only in their academic success, but also in their success after graduation,” said Patrick Smith, Director of Mentoring Services and Leadership Development (MSLD), an OVPDEMA-supported center involved in organizing the events.
The IU Diversity Career Fair will take place on Monday, October 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union Alumni Hall. During the event, students will have the opportunity to meet and network with employers committed to diversity in their workforces. Students from the Hudson & Holland Scholars Program, Groups Scholars Program, and 21st Century Scholars Program, all of which have helped organize the fair, are especially encouraged to attend.
To help prepare students for the Diversity Career Fair, OVPDEMA will also hold a Career Fair Bootcamp on September 17, 2018, in the IMU Dogwood Room from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the Bootcamp, students can learn what to expect from the career fair and get tips on skills including resume writing, developing an elevator pitch, and networking with recruiters. Like the Career Fair, the Bootcamp is free to attend, though registration at go.iu.edu/careerready is strongly recommended.
Students can see a full list of employers attending the career fair by downloading “The Fairs App” on their mobile device. Both the Career Fair and Bootcamp are free and open to all students. Pre-registration for the event is encouraged, and an IU gift bag will be available for pickup at the career fair for those who pre-register. Students can register in advance for the career fair at go.iu.edu/careerready.
The impact of the Career Fair and Bootcamp will last long after the events themselves. The funds raised from employers participating in the fair will be directed towards a dedicated fund that will support OVPDEMA students’ professional aspirations. While the specifics of this fund are still being developed, Smith said it will be used to help students afford costs associated with attending professional development conferences or pursuing internships.
In bringing together motivated students from all backgrounds and employers that care about diversity, John Nieto-Phillips, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer, and Associate Vice President of Academic Support and Diversity, hopes that the Career Fair and BootCamp will be a win-win for everyone who attends.
Just as diversity is central to our success as a university, it is central to the success of various employers’ efforts. This fair allows them to be put in contact with some very high-achieving scholars from diverse backgrounds,” Nieto-Phillips said. “The diversity that those scholars bring to the table only enriches the organizations they become a part of later.”