Many employers tell us that they choose to recruit at the University of Miami because of the diversity of our student body. Unfortunately, recruiting teams that visit campus – in person and virtually – do not always represent diverse backgrounds, and this sends hollow and conflicting messages. We have created our Employer DEIB Kit to provide tools and resources for employers as you develop and elevate your initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It is no longer something to consider; it is a moral imperative.
The Toppel Career Center team is dedicated to educating students, employers, and each other about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our society, and specifically, in the workplace. We will continue to listen, learn, educate, and challenge ourselves to promote and stand for anti-racism in support of UM students, alumni, and the employers who recruit at the U. We are also committed to providing students opportunities at organizations that value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We expect that recruiters do the following:
Please feel free to reach out to our team with any questions or concerns. We are here to support you every step of the way!
As of 2021, the University of Miami enrolled approximately 12,000 students in 9 colleges and schools at the undergraduate level. 52% of U Miami students come from out of state, and 11% are international students. 49% of our students are from underrepresented race/ethnic backgrounds. To learn more about our students, review “Why Recruit at the U” and the University of Miami Fact Finder.
Understand Diversity Terminology & Vocabulary.
Why is it important? With the changing demographics of our student population and national workforce, it is imperative that employers seeking to hire University of Miami students have the commitment, skills, and workplace environment needed to recruit and retain a diverse talent pool. Why Does it Matter? While we know diversity efforts can help organizations with profits, retention, and culture, there are still roadblocks organizations face to support a diverse workforce well. This article in Forbes talks about strategies to overcome those challenges and one of the first steps is aligning their organizational diversity practices with their organizational goals. We recognize that each organization is at a different place in their journey and recommend this toolkit as a starting point for employers to begin (or expand) designing and implementing inclusive recruitment and retention practices. Source: Forbes link: “Why Workplace Diversity is so Important and Why it’s so Hard to Achieve”
Determine Opportunities for Diversifying Your Company’s Staff Unconscious bias (also known as implicit bias) is the preferences and prejudices that we don't realize we have. These biases often come from our background and aren't necessarily apparent in our day-to-day interactions with others. However, they can inform the decisions we make about the people with whom we surround ourselves. Everyone has unconscious biases; many hiring panels might unwittingly lean toward hiring - or not hiring - candidates based on those implicit prejudices. Three common types of unconscious bias include: What are some strategies to prevent and address these biases during the hiring process? You and your team can prevent and address these prejudices through consistent, strategic action. Try these 10 strategies: Becoming familiar with our biases might be an uncomfortable process, but it is necessary to create a fairer and more inclusive recruitment process. And when we accomplish that, we start developing workplaces where professionals of all backgrounds can thrive. Source: Forbes, "Inclusive Hiring: How to Address Bias in the Recruiting Process"
Evaluate Job Descriptions
Interviewing Applicants
Avoid Unconscious Bias
The following is a list of resources to provide guidance for best practices as organizations recruit, hire, and retain diverse talent. National Association of Colleges and Employers Resources for inclusive recruiting practices on college campuses Ideal: Diversity And Inclusion: A Complete Guide For HR Professionals An overview of DEI, best practices, metrics, and key takeaways Gartner: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Center Complimentary resources to help embed greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization SHRM: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources Resources from the Society for Human Resource Management, which creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together Insight from DiversityInc, a subscription website that offers insights, best practices and case studies on diversity and inclusion management Handshake: Diversity and Inclusion: 7 Essential Early Talent Recruiting Strategies Handshake’s take on evolving with millennials and Gen Z to learn how to adapt your DEI strategy Human Resources Director: 7 strategies to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace Strategies which focus on getting to the heart of your organization’s processes Interstride: U.S. Employer’s Guide to Hiring International Students Illustrates options available for hiring international students for internships and full-time jobs Talent 500: The Essential Guide to Retaining Talent in the Workplace Strategies for building a diverse and inclusive workplace
Rankings for employers committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion: DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity Forbes: America’s Best Employers for Diversity
The resources below will help further your organization’s DEI initiatives and foster a more inclusive work environment. These resources are specifically tailored to the needs of employers and can be used to help hire more diverse talent and create a work environment conducive to welcoming new talent that identify with and value a progressive workplace.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has a variety of DEI resources and articles available for employers: The Benefits of Creating an Inclusive Work Culture The three main elements of creating an inclusive work culture. Types of Diversity in the Workplace A guide to 34 unique diversity characteristics Strategic Planning: How to Implement a DE&I Plan for Hiring Learn how to implement a strong DEI plan into your company or see how your current strategy stacks up to recommendations. Language a Key Component of Creating an Inclusive Workplace, Brand Helpful tips to revamp your company’s communication 10 Steps to Creating an Inclusive Workplace Questions Students May Ask to Assess Your Organization’s Commitment to DEI
Wondering how to make your job postings more inclusive and appealing to diverse candidates? Here are some ideas: Four Useful Tips to Create More Inclusive Job Descriptions Six Must-Know Tips for Writing Inclusive Job Descriptions
How to Write an Inclusive Job Description for Gen Z
Below are some resources for supporting your employees with a disability, and some reasons why you should hire them. Resources for Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf in the Workplace These resources include communication apps, tools, and technology. 3 Reasons to Hire More Individuals with Disabilities in 2021
How To Promote Racial Equity in the Workplace Five steps to effectively address racism in the workplace. On Being Black in Corporate America Salesforce’s Chief Philanthropy Officer Ebony Beckwith tackles necessary and poignant topics. The Growing Hispanic Demographic and the Workplace A Research Report by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Asia Society Survey Probes Barriers in the US Workplace Facing Asian Americans
The One Wellness Benefit Your Employees Want Most This organization, InHerSight, surveyed more than 2,000 workers who identified their most valued employer-provided wellness benefit to be, drumroll please…. Mental Health.
Most of us use LinkedIn to engage and connect with colleagues, and it is also a great tool for job seekers and recruiters. LI Talent Solutions has a whole page dedicated to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (that’s how important this topic is). Check out their articles and resources here.
At the U, our mission is to transform lives through education, research, innovation and service. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where everyone at the University feels valued and has the opportunity to add value. Our core values of diversity, integrity, responsibility, excellence, compassion, creativity, and teamwork provide the foundation for all of our behaviors. Diversity is valuing and including people from all cultures and backgrounds in the pursuit of our common goals.
The Toppel Career Center empowers students in their career search by celebrating unique identities, preparing them for an increasingly diverse and global workforce, and advocating for individual needs.
The Toppel Career Center team will remain dedicated to educating students, employers, and each other about diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society, and specifically, in the workplace. We will continue to listen, learn, educate, and challenge ourselves to promote and stand for anti-racism in support of UM students, alumni, and the employers who recruit at the U. Toppel will continue and increase efforts that educate and challenge recruiters on diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as HireACane Academy.
It is the policy of the University of Miami that no person within the jurisdiction thereof shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected factor be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or harassment (including all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence) under any program or activity of the University, regardless of whether such program or activity occurs on-campus or off-campus. The Toppel Career Center adheres to this policy. As a result, we will provide access to UM students (via Handshake postings, information sessions, programs, and events), and make our facilities available only to recruiting organizations whose practices are consistent with this policy.
Toppel’s Diversity and Inclusion Values Wall is prominently displayed among our vast Gapingvoid collection at the Toppel Career Center. The wall serves as a reminder of what we have committed to as a staff, and more importantly, to clearly show how each person who engages with us has a place in our center – both physically and virtually.
The Toppel Career Center is proud to collaborate with these campus partners who provide programs and services designed to support students from diverse backgrounds. Empower Me First (Office of Academic Enhancement) The mission of Empower Me First is to assist underrepresented and first generation students in their transition to college life and their pursuit of educational and career goals by providing academic advocacy, general advising, resource referral and academic support. Empower Me First is an active diversity and inclusion initiative in the university President's Access with Excellence Roadmap Initiative. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) ISSS facilitates enrollment, retention, and graduation for international students and ensures successful experiences for international scholars (faculty and researchers) by providing information, services, acclimation, and culturally relevant activities. The UM LGBTQ Student Center fosters inclusion and support of University of Miami students, faculty, staff, and alumni inclusive of all genders, orientations, and expressions, and focusses on education and outreach, programming, intergroup engagement, empowerment, and advocacy for increased visibility in the university community. Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) MSA strives to coordinate services and programs that challenge, motivate, and support ethnically diverse students in their development at the University of Miami. We also seek to bring issues of diversity and multiculturalism to the foreground of campus conversation by sponsoring programs that celebrate cultural differences and highlight similarities that connect us to each other. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) ODS, part of the Camner Center for Academic resources, provides academic accommodations and support to ensure that students with disabilities can access and participate in the opportunities available at the University of Miami.
There are a variety of multicultural student organizations on campus. The Engage platform allows you connect with student leaders from these organizations, including the following: