I received a wonderfully inaccurate email recently from the Center for Engineering Career Development. It had a few errors, which is ok, but I also learned about the Diversity Career Day to be held November 2nd. Typically, an “engineering” or “business career day” would focus on people who want to hire engineers or businessmen. So when I think about the diversity career day, I figure that the people who need this are those who can’t find work based on their talents and must rely on their “diverse backgrounds.”
Per the Unversity Career Services website,
Diversity Career Day attracts over 125 corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds…
Diversity Career Day is open to all students at colleges and universities throughout Virginia and Washington DC. This regional recruiting event typically attracts more than 1000 students from all majors looking for full-time and internship opportunities. All students are welcome! [emphasis mine]
So maybe my reckoning above is wrong. It appears more likely that the Diversity Career Day is exactly the same thing as Career Day. That is of course unless the regular career days include companies that are specifically anti-diversity.
Although this is not the first time UVa has thrown a meaningless diversity tag around. They have even created and filled the position of Chief Diversity Officer. Here’s a nice commentary from a law student named Evan:
Now, I’ve heard of a Chief Executive Officer. And a Chief Financial Officer. And a Chief Operating Officer. But Diversity? What does this guy even do? Its a good question, and is one that the Cavalier Daily has recently addressed.
I’ll wager that most of you won’t click the article, so I’ll summarize. The CDO says his job is a “work in progress,” and is “consistently evolving.”
Translation: Nobody knew why I was hired, or what the job duties were or are (other than “help out our diversity!”), but I’m figuring it out as I go along.
Earlier he added
That being said, the fact that I’ve benefited from my somewhat diverse background does not prevent me from making fun of how obsessed our society has become with it. Case in point? UVA has a “Chief Diversity Officer.”
I won’t get too angry about this. It’s really not my money being spent. As long as it makes some people at UVA feel all warm and fuzzy then fine by me. My support lies elsewhere. I see my participation as being similar to that of the fraternity in Old School.
Jerry: What will you have to do with the university?
Beanie: Legally speaking there will be a loose affiliation. But, we will give nothing back to the academic community. As well as provide no public service of any kind. This much I promise you.
