Following federal pushback on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, many large businesses and corporations joined in cutting back on DEI initiatives. These changes left many students, including those at Kent State, feeling uneasy about entering the workforce.
In the workplace, DEI refers to policies that aim to ensure all employees are treated equally and given equal opportunities despite their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status and more. Amazon, Target and Disney are just some of the many companies that scrapped their DEI initiatives following President Trump’s executive orders upon entering office.
As rollback measures continue, students nearing graduation wonder whether their identities will be valued in their future workplaces.
“As somebody who’s applied to over 130 jobs after graduation and really hasn’t heard back from much, it is really scary,” said senior business management major Sophia Michalak. “Being a new grad and finding jobs is overall just a really scary experience, so it is very disheartening.”
Even some freshmen, like environmental conservation biology major Bella Bompiani, showed concern for how these rollbacks will affect their future.
“I feel like they’re kind of setting future generations up for failure,” Bompiani said. “Like I’m not really set up in a great position to start.”
Bompiani said that she feels as though the policies put in place in the workplace will prevent her from being able to properly stand up for herself in the future.
Justin Edwards, the executive director of Career Exploration & Development, said that these changes will likely change the way that students should apply for jobs in the future.
“The reality of the workforce structure right now is that as organizations change, we want to help people basically understand the dynamics of what it might be like to work in different spaces,” Edwards said.
Many students, like Michalak, feel unprepared to enter a workforce that does not consider DEI, and believes the law does not properly reflect the will of the people.
“I mean you could get as many voices and opinions, but it’s never really up to us ever,” Michalak said.
Despite students facing uncertainty, career advisors encourage graduates to use practical steps to succeed in the changing job market.
“Regardless of what decisions people might make about if they do or don’t want to apply for companies, trying to make sure that we reflect the same language that they are using in the job description in our resume is important,” Edwards said. “Hear that language; speak the same language as much as possible if that’s an organization that you want to work for.”
Beyond watching the language in their resume, Edwards recommended that students who feel discouraged by the lack of DEI efforts in their field be sure to cast a wide net in terms of finding inclusive employment opportunities.
If students are concerned about applying for jobs, they can visit the Career Exploration & Development’s website for more information on how to access its services.
Connor Nagy is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].