Career Exploration and Development
Identity-Based Career Resources
Most companies in the U.S. recognize that there are significant advantages to diversity in the workplace, including increased creativity and productivity; new attitudes, processes, and solutions; as well as language skills and global understanding. Even though the recruitment of both women and minorities is on the rise, however, students from diverse backgrounds often face unique challenges in the job search process.
Career Exploration and Development (CED) supports students and alumni of all backgrounds. Whether you are wondering how to get started, looking for an internship, thinking about graduate school, seeking advice on interviews or resumes, or looking for a job, we can provide guidance and resources to help you identify and pursue your career goals. In addition to CED's online resources, the following links may be particularly helpful.
Featured Resources
Oberlin College Multicultural Resource Center
The MRC serves as a crucial hub for the collaborative support of historically disenfranchised communities and works on issues of diversity and inclusion within a social justice context at Oberlin College & Conservatory.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The EEOC enforces federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
A coalition of more than 200 national organizations whose goal is to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Provides an Overview, Timeline, Fact Sheets and Resources regarding equal opportunity in the workplace.
WorkplaceDiversity
An experienced job-board for corporate recruiters who are seeking experienced candidates. Create a free account to post your resume, search job openings from organizations who support and value diversity, and access resources and tools to connect with employers across multiple career fields.
Professional Diversity Network
A professional network and job database for diverse talent that hosts an additional 7 affinity sites with their own job databases including: Pro Able, Asian Career Network, Women’s Career Channel, Black Career Network, Out Professional Network, iHispano, and Military 2 Career.
Jopwell
A career advancement platform for Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals.
People of Color in Tech (POCIT)
POCIT’s objective is to highlight the current achievements of ‘people of color’ within the sphere of technology and startups, and to inspire the next generation. Their website hosts a job board as well as collections of interviews and articles on the subject of technology, diversity, career growth, entrepreneurship, and many others.
IMDiversity.com
One-stop career and self-development site/job board aimed to serve the cultural and career-related needs of underrepresented minority groups, specifically African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and women. The goal of IMDiversity.com is to provide job seekers with access to the largest database of equal opportunity employers committed to workplace diversity.
INSIGHT Into Diversity
One of the most recognized resources for equal opportunity employers who are seeking to add diverse, qualified candidates to their workforce. Job postings include positions in academia, business, healthcare, and the government.
Diversity Inc
DiversityInc’s mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. Compiles an annual list of the Top 50 Companies supporting diversity in the workplace.
Diversity.com
A job posting board for positions in companies that highly value diversity in the workplace.
Tips for Assessing Employers on Their Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Do they have a statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
- Do they have a land acknowledgement?
- Do they provide information and resources to support diversity? (For example, mentoring, professional development opportunities, affinity or special interest groups, or a Chief Diversity Officer.)
- Do they have a diverse leadership team? (For example, board, directors, vice presidents, etc.)
- What are their EEO or hiring policies? (If you can’t find this on their website, check one of their job postings.)
- 5 Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Check to see if the company is featured on DiversityInc or Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Diversity .
- Find employee reviews, salary information, and interview tips for organizations on Glassdoor.com , InHerSight , and Great Place to Work .
- Perform an internet search using the organization’s name and including terms such as “employee complaints”, “discrimination”, etc.)
- Research OberLink and LinkedIn to see if there are Oberlin alumni who work there (or have worked there in the past). If so, set up an informational interview.
- If the organization is in your home town, activate your personal network (family, friends, friends’ parents, etc.) to learn more.
- 10 Interview Questions to Evaluate if a Company Is *Really* Inclusive
- Looking for an Inclusive Employer? Ask These 9 Questions During Your Interview
- 13 Questions you should ask to understand if a company cares about diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Questions Students May Ask to Assess Your Organization’s Commitment to DEI
- Don’t forget to be prepared to answer questions about your commitment to diversity and inclusion in the interview as well!