Diversity in the workplace is inevitable. At last
Wednesday’s UF PRSSA meeting, Lori VanNess explained the role of diversity in
the workplace and Jarrod Cruz related these roles to his position on campus.
VanNess, the AT&T associate director of retail sales
operations said her company defines diversity as “something you can see.” You
can see when someone looks different, she said. She went on to explain the
importance of making employees feel included through the company’s 11 employee
resource groups.
Cruz, the director of intercultural engagement within UF
multicultural and diversity affairs, describes diversity as broad and complex
differences between people. He said he believes these differences are brought
on by the multiple identities that people can have. He said we maintain these
identities through factors like family, values and religion.
When asked about the different cultural subgroups at UF,
Cruz explained the groups all come together under certain organizations. For
example, the Institute of Black Culture tends to bring together the other black
organizations on campus through communication. He stressed that the diverse
organizations must communicate with one another in order for them to be
productive. This is similar to in the workplace. VanNess explained AT&T
employees come together during employee resource groups to discuss projects
that include the other departments. This brings everyone together in an
efficient manner.
According to VanNess, as a part of AT&T’s goal to create
a more diverse workplace, the company has been focusing on recruiting women and
people of color from a regional level. “We just want to make sure that
everybody is being represented,” she said. She said she sees how many of these
people have been promoted. In the past, white males have seen more promotions,
but the company is trying to create more balance and provide opportunity for
advancement to all employees.
Cruz’s take home piece of advice for students looking to be
more diverse to employers is to immerse themselves in different cultures. He
advised students to develop their multicultural understanding and competence
through expanding their social circles. Cruz said in order to do this, students
must step out of their comfort zone. For example, they could attend a meeting
full of people who look different from themselves. He said this will help
develop students’ cultural understanding. Cruz stressed that now is the time
for them to take advantage of the diverse environment UF has to offer.
VanNess advised students to get involved with different
communities. She said this will help students get to know obstacles they could
be faced with in bringing together people from diverse cultures and
backgrounds. She said this will help you learn to adapt how you act no matter
what community you work in.
Both speakers brought great advice and insight to the panel.
They encouraged students to get educated in diversity now, while they still
have the opportunity take advantage of the diverse UF campus.
By: Annie Uzar, UF Public Relations Student Society of America Member
