What is Equity?
The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures.
NACE Research Supporting Equity in the Workplace
NEW! Recruiting for Equity at HBCUs and Beyond: Current Practices and Pitfalls
This new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) explores employers’ commitments to and understanding of the issue of equity in recruiting (EiR). Funded through the generosity of organizations that sponsored NACE’s 2021 HBCU Summit and conducted in partnership with the Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (the Center), the study focuses on what employers are doing to recruit and retain diverse interns.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Reports
The NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report provides diversity data for Class of 2021 college graduates based on academic major, institution, gender, race, and ethnicity, and median salary (where reported). Purchase one now and download it immediately.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Business
Majors Include: All Business majors (broad category total); Accounting; Business Administration/Management; Finance; Management Information Systems; Marketing; Master of Business Administration.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Computer Science
Majors: All Computer Science majors (broad category total); Computer Systems Analysis; Computer Science; Computer/Information Technology Administration & Management; Computer Systems Networking; Information Science; Software & Media Applications.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Engineering
Majors: All Engineering Majors (broad category total); Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Mechanical Engineering.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: HBCUs
Majors: Accounting, All Business Majors (Broad Category total); All Engineering Majors (Broad Category total); All Computer Science Majors (Broad Category total); Business Administration; Computer Science; English; History; Liberal Arts and Humanities; Math and Statistics; Philosophy; Social Sciences.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Interdisciplinary Studies
Majors: Data Analytics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Sustainability Studies, Computational Science, International/Globalization Studies.
NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Math/Humanities/Social Science
Majors: Communications; Economics; English; History; Mathematics; Political Science; Psychology.
JOIN A NATIONAL NETWORK OF ACTIVE PRACTITIONERS
Since 1956, NACE has served as the leading source of information on the employment of the college educated and forecasts hiring trends in the job market; identifies best practices and benchmarks; and tracks starting salaries, recruiting practices, and student outcomes.
Additionally, NACE provides extensive ways to connect with your peers via Affinity Groups, professional development opportunities, and an annual conference & expo. By joining NACE, you join an engaged, passionate community that's dedicated to strengthening the bridge from campus to career, and—through research, partnerships and knowledge-sharing—works to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
EXPLORE NACE MEMBERSHIPSEE OUR STRATEGIC PLANDOWNLOAD OUR DEI REPORT
Get the latest insights into building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce
See how NACE and its members are advocating for equity and implementing it around the country.
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Ensuring Students With Disabilities Can Access Your Workplace and Thrive Once There
To foster a truly diverse and inclusive workplace, employers should expand their DEI efforts to encompass what is increasingly being referred to as DEIA—or diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
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Reimagining Graduate Student Professional Development as an Inclusion, Equity, and Innovation Driver
Evangeline “Eva” Kubu, Princeton University, explores how to address long-standing systems and practices to ensure all Ph.D. students have equitable access to comprehensive professional development.
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The Impact of Career Services on Women Pursuing Tech Careers
This study, a collaboration between NACE and Break Through Tech, provides evidence that career services can help level the playing field for women pursuing STEM careers.
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Tap Into Resources for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Beyond
As October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, several organization offer resources about disability inclusion for employers and career services offices to use now and throughout the year.
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Fall 2023 Affirmative Action and Internship Quick Poll
As we enter the new school and recruiting season, NACE is conducting a Fall Quick Poll. The focus of our poll is on two important issues– the impact the end of Affirmative Action is having on our work and state of unpaid internships.
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What Can Be Done to Shrink the Widening Gender Pay Gap?
Early data from a forthcoming NACE study indicate that the gender pay gap has widened over the past year, with female graduates now earning just 72 cents to every dollar earned by male graduates, down from around 81 cents.
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URR PROFESSIONALS HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES
Some of the rewarding aspects of being a URR professional include changing people’s lives and providing a seat at the table for many who may not have been historically represented.
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Look Around, Lean In, and Level Up: Creating Strong Partnerships With HBCUs and PBIs
What are some key considerations and steps for employers to take to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with HBCUs and PBIs?
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A study at a minority-serving institution uncovers aspects of social and cultural capital that contribute to the college-to-career transition of Black undergraduate women.
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LACK OF CONCEPTUAL CLARITY ABOUT DEI&B AND ITS DESIGNATED LEADERSHIP SLOWS PROGRESS
Interviews with diversity, talent, and industry experts revealed confusion, conflation, and a general lack of conceptual clarity around fundamental differences in DEI& B in their organizations.
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GAUGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMAL DIVERSITY RECRUITING EFFORTS
Slightly more than 85% of employers reported having formal diversity recruiting goals, according to NACE’s 2022 Recruiting Benchmarks Report, but how effective are these efforts?
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At the University of Cincinnati, students facing financial constraints can access a grant designed to enable them to engage in career-focused courses.
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CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE EQUITY AUDITS REQUIRES ASKING HARD QUESTIONS, PLANNING TO ADDRESS FINDINGS
Research conducted by NACE and The Center for the Study of HBCUs underscores how important it is for companies to conduct audits to assess gaps and inequities in their recruiting efforts.
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Alumni Gift Will Grow W&M Funding for Unpaid, Underpaid Internships
A new $1 million gift supporting career development at William & Mary will triple the number of students annually who can receive university funding for unpaid and underpaid internships.
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The Importance of Belonging: How to Create and Find It in the Workplace
Chelsea C. Williams, founder and CEO of Reimagine Talent Co., defines “belonging” as a feeling that people have when they are seen, valued, protected, and respected.“While, ultimately, individuals determine and define their sense of belonging, I do believe there are steps we can take to build for belonging,” Williams adds.
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Skills-based Hiring and Networking Encourages Nontraditional Candidates to Apply for Jobs
When employers consider skills and practice skills-based hiring and skills-based networking, they bring in a more diverse slate of candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, says Asha Aravindakshan.
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JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIR TOURS HELP FIRST-GEN STUDENTS BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE NAVIGATING EVENT
The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering Job & Internship Fair Tours were created to engage more first- and second-year students in job fairs and to reduce barriers to attendance.
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Embracing Intersectionality Involves Making Personal Connections to See Value in Each Employee
Diversity and inclusion have traditionally been about race and about sex, but we are all so much more than just what is visible, explains author, speaker, and social impact adviser Michele Sullivan.
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Training, Intentionality, Accountability Key Elements of Building Inclusive Work Culture
There are key steps that employers and colleges can take to ensure that their culture is inclusive, such as providing training, planning intentionally, and holding employees accountable, says MarTeze Hammonds, Ed.D.
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UB Social Impact Fellows Program Taps Into Student Innovation to Solve Community Problems
A University at Buffalo program uses project-based internships with local nonprofits to promote collaboration, interdisciplinary exchange, and the value of social innovation among graduate students.
I'm an expert with extensive knowledge in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly within the context of higher education and the workplace. My expertise is rooted in a deep understanding of the concepts and practices surrounding equity, as well as a familiarity with key organizations and studies shaping the discourse in this area.
In the provided article, the focus is on equity, which is distinguished from equality. While equality involves providing the same to all, equity recognizes the need to address imbalances that arise from different starting points. The article emphasizes the ongoing process of identifying and overcoming intentional and unintentional barriers, including those stemming from bias or systemic structures.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) plays a crucial role in advancing equity in the workplace. NACE conducts research and produces reports, such as the Diversity Graduate Profile Reports, which provide data on diversity based on various factors, including academic major, institution, gender, race, and ethnicity. The article also highlights NACE's commitment to equity in recruiting and mentions a study exploring employers' understanding of equity in recruiting, particularly focusing on historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Several reports discussed in the article shed light on diversity in different academic majors, such as business, computer science, engineering, interdisciplinary studies, and humanities/social sciences. The information presented is valuable for employers seeking to recruit and retain diverse talent.
The article extends beyond academic considerations to address broader issues related to equity, including disability inclusion in the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts to include accessibility (DEIA).
Moreover, the article features studies and insights on topics like gender pay gap, the impact of career services on women in STEM careers, and the intersectionality of diversity and inclusion efforts. It also covers the significance of creating partnerships with HBCUs and PBIs (Predominantly Black Institutions) and the role of cultural wealth and social capital in the career outcomes of Black alumnae.
The article incorporates real-world examples and evidence, such as the impact of career services on women pursuing tech careers and the widening gender pay gap. It also emphasizes the need for clarity in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, as evidenced by interviews with industry experts highlighting confusion and conflation in organizational approaches.
Furthermore, the article discusses the importance of skills-based hiring and networking in encouraging non-traditional candidates to apply for jobs, highlighting the practical aspects of fostering diversity.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of equity-related initiatives in the workplace, drawing on evidence from research studies, reports, and the experiences of practitioners and experts in the field. The inclusion of real-world examples and the collaboration with organizations like NACE enhances the credibility and applicability of the information presented.
