Best Practices

  1. A woman speaking to a group of women about leadership.
    Forté Addresses Barriers Preventing Women From Pursuing MBAs, Leadership Positions

    Forté, winner of the 2024 NACE Business Affiliate Award for Excellence in Leadership, focuses its work on systematically addressing the barriers that prevent women from pursuing MBA degrees and business leadership positions.

  2. A group of coworkers in a career services office.
    Georgia Tech Career Center Initiative Builds a Diverse Team and a Psychologically Safe Environment

    The Georgia Tech Career Center, large-college winner of the 2024 NACE Career Services Excellence Award, hired eight new staff members across various functional areas within the office in a process that aligned with the institute’s DEI Blueprint to, in part, closely reflect the demographics of Atlanta.

  3. A composite image of a woman interacting with a large digital screen.
    How First-Generation College Students Can Use AI to Level the Job-Search Playing Field

    AI can support first-generation students in the job search by bridging the gap in their professional network.

  4. A group of college students.
    “Accounting Without Walls” Festival Celebrates, Promotes DEI in the Accounting Community

    Attendees of the USC Leventhal School of Accounting’s inaugural “Accounting Without Walls” Festival left with actionable plans to implement DEI strategies in their organizations, a deeper understanding of the current DEI landscape in accounting, and more.

  5. Someone using a conference app.
    Gamification Can Be A Game-Changer for In-Person Events

    The use of gamification apps at in-person events can be invaluable for individuals who may struggle to focus or interact in traditional settings.

  6. A person waves an multicolored, inclusive flag.
    For the LGBTQ+ Community, Allyship Requires Action

    Although allyship with the LGBTQ+ community different for everyone, one thing is clear: It requires action.

  7. An illustration of a group of career services professionals.
    AuthenTECH Leverages Staff to Help Advance Equitable Career Outcomes for Students

    Winner of NACE’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Excellence Award for colleges, the Georgia Tech Career Center’s Georgia Tech’s AuthenTECH Partnership initiative leverages staff to provide population-specific resources, expand programming, and cultivate partnerships to advance equitable career outcomes.

  8. Illustration of a loose crowd of people coming together to form a forward arrow.
    Strategies for Advancing Pay Equity

    Recent data reveal that systemic barriers continue to limit progress on achieving pay equity for all—yet there are tangible, proven ways that career centers and employers can make an impact.

  9. A group of professional women.
    Gender Pay Gap: Tips for Employers to Ensure Their Salaries Are Equitable

    Consultant Katie Donovan offers tips for employers to eliminate the main causes of pay inequity for women, including that women are underpaid doing the same jobs as men and are underrepresented in leadership roles.

  10. A woman programming on a computer.
    Insights for Supporting Women in Computing-Related Internships

    Women remain underrepresented in computer science majors and careers. Two researchers conducted a study to see how women in computing experience and make sense of their internships, and how their internship experiences shape their future career plans.

  11. Two HBCU students on campus.
    Communication, Trust the Foundation of Strong Relationships Between HBCUs, Employers

    As HBCUs are a key source of high-quality, diverse talent for employers, there are benefits for both institutions and organizations in developing successful partnerships.

  12. Someone demonstrates the use of a virtual reality device.
    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.

  13. Two women working on a computer.
    Supporting Women in Computing-Related Internships

    Due to their underrepresentation in the classroom and societal messaging around technology being a “masculine domain,” women in computer science often feel isolated and marginalized. A study demonstrates how women’s experiences in computing internships shape their future career decisions; the findings have implications for both career development professionals and employers who recruit entry-level talent.

  14. Two people shaking hands.
    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?

  15. A group of job applicants waiting for an interview.
    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.

  16. An illustration of a person trying to climb a ladder towards a graduation cap.
    CREATING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE: PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS FACING FINANCIAL INSECURITIES

    At the University of Cincinnati, students facing financial constraints can access a grant designed to enable them to engage in career-focused courses.

  17. A group of professionals evaluate their organization's equity efforts.
    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.

  18. A group of people places all of their hands on top of one another.
    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.

  19. Paper cutouts of people in different colors.
    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.

  20. A woman stands in front of a room of people to discuss inclusivity.
    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.

  21. Two HBCU graduates smile for a photo on graduation day.
    The HBCU Experience

    Three members of NACE’s HBCU Affinity Group share their thoughts about and personal experiences with HBCUs.

  22. A group of coworkers in a meeting.
    Liberty Mutual’s Centralized DEI Team Provides Alignment, Clarity, and Operating Rhythm

    Liberty Mutual takes a very targeted approach to the sources of talent they try to attract, engage, and hire. This extends far beyond a traditional target school list.

  23. An employee works on a computer.
    Understanding Experiences Informs Recommendations for Working With, Recruiting LGBTQ+ Students

    NACE Brief: Understanding the Experiences and Attitudes of LGBTQ+ Students is free to NACE members. There are important—and troublesome—differences in pay, sense of belonging, and job offers that LGBTQ+ students experience during internships that impact their experience in the job search and employment, according to NACE’s newly released brief titled Understanding the Experiences and Attitudes of LGBTQ+ Students.

  24. An employee at IBM works with an intern.
    IBM Accelerate Reinvents Virtual Learning Opportunities for Underrepresented College Students

    After witnessing the impact that the pandemic had on early undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in the tech industry, IBM scaled up its early talent ID program.

  25. A group of nontraditional students.
    Embracing Nontraditional Students Can Help Employers Create Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

    Many emerging professionals are turning to community colleges, vocational schools, and technical bootcamps to gain marketable skills.

  26. A group of interns works together on a project.
    Key Steps for Boosting Diversity Hiring of Interns

    There were gender and race disparities within the compositions of the 2020-21 intern cohort as the majority of students who take part in internships are men and identify as white, according to results of NACE’s 2022 Internship & Co-op Survey.

  27. A woman uses a microscope.
    Workday Program Promotes Careers in Tech Fields to Women

    Launched in 2018 with a flagship two-day immersive conference, Workday’s “Future Females in Tech Engagement Program” helps women to build career confidence and make the connections they need to get started in the tech industry.

  28. A group of people meet virtually.
    UC Berkeley Career Summit Connects Transfer Students, Employers

    The UC Berkeley Career Center’s annual transfer student career summit is a five-hour virtual event that was created to help connect transfer students, who are often overwhelmed when navigating career opportunities, and employers that are not aware of the value transfer students can bring to organizations.

  29. A woman works at a laptop during a business meeting.
    Practices for Successfully Recruiting, Developing Students From HBCUs, PBIs

    There are several research-based practices employers can implement to achieve greater success in recruiting and developing interns from HBCUs and PBIs.

  30. Counselor helping student working on laptop
    The Role of Career Development Professionals in the Black Talent Recruitment Process

    Employers are looking for help to attract and retain Black talent. Career services professionals can help them by sharing 16 strategies that will help them.

  31. blue piggy bank
    Op-Ed: Systematic Approach to College Affordability for International Students

    The internet is full of advice on how international students can lower the costs of their own education, but individual students aren’t going to solve this problem on their own through a personalized, piecemeal approach. Collective action is necessary. Stakeholders from the educational sector, financial world, and the business community must work together to create a unified system that works.

  32. pride flag
    Career Considerations of LGBTQ Students

    College students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) experience unique challenges in the area of career preparation.

  33. people gathered around a table
    16 Actions for Shifting Culture to Support Black Employees

    There are specific actions that institutions and organizations can take to ensure that they create a culture that supports the personal and professional growth of Black individuals.

  34. two people
    We Stand Together: Moving Ahead With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    During a recent NACE Town Hall, panel members shared experiences and offered ideas for moving ahead with diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  35. student
    5 Career Services Professionals Offer a Starting Place for Addressing Racism

    How do we support students who have been marginalized or who may feel unsafe around law enforcement while also supporting employers in law enforcement?

  36. person smiling
    The Importance of Language in Supporting DEI Efforts

    Language is a key element of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and can help or hinder efforts in this area.

  37. person standing
    Providing Support to “Onlies” in the Workplace and Remotely

    There are several key steps that organizations can take to best support “onlies” and provide a healthy space for them to excel at work.

  38. people sitting at a table
    The Benefits of Creating an Inclusive Work Culture

    An inclusive work culture mirrors the community the organization serves and yields many benefits for both the organization and its employees.

  39. abstract people
    On the Cutting Edge: Building Culturally Aware Career Services Initiatives

    The Office of Career and Continuing Education at Florida Southern College developed and implemented the “Diversity in the Workplace” series to address student needs.

  40. five people standing
    Reaping the Benefits of Doing D&I Right

    Expert and author Tony Byers cites research confirming that there are substantial benefits associated with having a diverse and inclusive workplace.

  41. four people sitting
    Creating a Culture of Understanding for the LGBTQ+ Community

    Initiative provides support and creates a culture of understanding for what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community at a Catholic university.

  42. people standing around a table
    Retaining Diverse Early Talent Not a “Check Box” Activity

    When developing a strategy for retaining early diverse talent, there are key steps for organizations to take and factors for them to consider to ensure these efforts are impactful.

  43. person looking at a laptop
    Supporting Students With Disabilities in Their Job Searches

    Collaboration among campus offices is a critical aspect in supporting students with disabilities during their search for employment.

  44. A neurodiverse employee works with a mentor.
    Considerations for Starting a Neurodiverse Hiring Program

    Key aspects of building an effective neurodiverse hiring program are having a sustained supply of candidates and getting buy in from within.

  45. An assortment of blocks.
    Inclusive Excellence

    Highlights from the NACE19 mega-session offer insight into how to make excellence inclusive.

  46. One yellow chair stands out among a group of blue chairs.
    The Effect Discrimination, Microaggressions Can Have on People of Color

    Not only can workplace discrimination and microaggressions have a negative impact on people of color in their careers, it can affect their mental health.

  47. The hearing impaired icon.
    Addressing Challenges Students With Hearing Loss May Face During Pandemic

    Students with hearing loss may face challenges associated with communication that may be exacerbated during this pandemic, with requirements for wearing masks and physically distancing.

  48. blocks with magnifying glass
  49. Puzzle pieces
    West Chester’s Connect and Learn Meet-Up Is a Sensory-Friendly Recruiting Event

    WCU’s career center and autism program developed a sensory-friendly event where differently abled students feel more comfortable and confident interacting with recruiters.

  50. students in a classroom
    Program Supports Students Transitioning to College

    MI GEAR UP is a statewide program designed to provide support to students from high schools in low-income areas who are making the transition to college and throughout their first year there

  51. three people sitting around a table
    Empower Retirement Moving Away From Assessing Candidates for “Fit”

    Empower Retirement is moving away from assessing candidates for “culture fit” by aligning values and providing hiring managers with interview questions and language.

  52. person giving a handshake
    Conscious Job Seeking: Assessing Employers’ Commitment to DEI

    There are questions that career services professionals can suggest their students ask recruiters to assess an organizations’ DEI priority and commitment.

  53. person looking at another person
    Questions Students May Ask to Assess Your Organization’s Commitment to DEI

    Students may ask specific questions to assess your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be prepared to answer them.

  54. abstract group of people
    Inclusive Leadership: 10 Steps to Creating an Inclusive Workplace

    Most organizations should look to address is their cultural landscape and homogenous culture. Senior leaders and recruiters can consider these 10 concrete ideas and practices that could positively impact creating an inclusive workplace and environment.

  55. Five people smiling
    Challenges, Solutions for College Recruiting at HBCUs

    Visibility and the tiering of school partnerships are two of the challenges Historically Black Colleges and Universities face in attracting employers to recruit their students.

  56. Person smiling
    Tapping Into DREAMers to Bolster a Workforce

    Many businesses and organizations are unclear about their ability to hire DREAMers who have DACA or TPS. In fact, employers are able to hire a DREAMer just as they would a U.S. citizen.

  57. Threads connected by thumb tags
    Helping Native Students Actualize Solutions to the Challenges They Face

    By better understanding and accounting for the obstacles Native students face, career services and university relations and recruiting professionals can help them achieve their career goals.

  58. People sitting around conference table
    Building Trust Helps Employers Build Connections to Tribal Colleges and Universities

    Building trust with TCUs and Native students and bridging gaps in areas of need will aid employers in their recruitment efforts.

  59. Four people in conversation
    Language a Key Component of Creating an Inclusive Workplace, Brand

    While many institutions and organizations have stepped up their inclusive communication—especially over the past year—some still fall short.

  60. Seven students in graduation attire
    Program Helps First-Generation Students Build Confidence, Overcome Obstacles

    CSU Fullerton’s “I Am First” program addresses the specific needs of first-generation college students and prepares them for the challenges they face.

  61. six people standing smiling
    Building Relationships With HBCUs That Go Beyond “Scratch-the-Surface” Measures

    When one HBCU career practitioner is building relationships with employers, she is looking for authenticity, a shared sense of purpose, and impactful engagement opportunities for students and the university as a whole.

  62. Five people standing
    Culturally Intelligent, Diverse Leadership Keys to Recruiting, Retaining Diverse Employees

    Cultural intelligence may be the most important individual area of change for organizations that want to bolster their recruitment and retention of culturally diverse individuals.

  63. Person staring up
    Moving Beyond the Binary: Understanding Career-Related Issues and Concerns of Trans Students

    Sandra Buatti-Ramos offers a look at some of the bigger issues trans college students face in their job search and in the workplace; the goal is to provide career services professionals with insights that can help them think about how they can support their trans students in their career decision-making, job search, and career management.

  64. Students in a classroom
    Op-Ed: Building Partnerships to Support International Student Career Development

    It is critical that administrators and staff at colleges and universities foster an environment of inclusion and belonging for international students; for career development professionals in particular, this means making it clear to international students that their career development matters. One of the best ways to do this is by building a strong partnership between the career center and international student services.

  65. four people looking at laptop screen
    Ways Career Practitioners Can Help Students Navigate Nuances of “Professionalism”

    Career services offices can help students develop their professionalism and navigate situations when “professional standards” may fuel and foster bias.

  66. Five people gathered around a table
    Examining Professionalism Through a DEI Lens

    The biggest challenge with “professionalism” is ensuring that all candidates and employees understand what it means within the context of the organization and their specific job function.

  67. Three people smiling
    The Importance of Honoring Names: Perspectives and a Plea From an American of Asian Descent

    As employers continue to emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion at the workplace, acts such as correctly pronouncing names becomes an increasingly important first step.

  68. Person smiling
    Presenting My Authentic Self

    Despite many employers advocating for employees to bring their authentic selves to work, employees that do so may still face hostility from coworkers due to this decision.

  69. Free to Be: Proactive Inclusion and Equity Efforts to Support Gender Identity and Expression in Professional Settings

    Employers and career services professionals should take a proactive approach to ensure their spaces are tangibly inclusive to a multitude of gender identities.

  70. Representation Matters

    Through diversity in entertainment, students from marginalized groups can discover many career options that they may not have otherwise considered.

  71. My Journey to Living Authentically

    The journey to living authentically both personally and professionally is not always a smooth one and can have a lasting impact on the mental health of those who make the decision to do so.

  72. Five words on different triangles
    UNH Program Provides DEI Resources, Recognition for Its Employer Partners

    Part of the mission of UNH CaPS is to help employers establish or enhance employers’ work around diversity and inclusion by providing them with resources, consultation, and recognition.

  73. Four students sitting in classroom
    Part 1: Digitizing Programs, Resources Can Be an Equalizer for Marginalized Students

    With student populations becoming more diverse, career centers need to change and adapt to their needs and be inclusive as they develop resources, opportunities, and programming.

  74. Group of people in meeting
    Dell Changes Definitions, Works With Community Colleges to Be More Inclusive

    In response to the climate of racial injustice, Dell expanded its definition of recent graduate talent to engage underrepresented minorities.

  75. two people sitting and one standing
    Part 2: How to Create and Deliver Career Programs and Resources for Marginalized Students

    When creating programs, resources, and services for marginalized students, Stanford starts with identifying issues and needs through focus groups, research, and outcomes.

  76. person typing on laptop
    Wealth Impacts for Graduates of Career Development Programs

    Recent research suggests that career development programs that focus on key levers of economic mobility may play a critical role in reducing or eliminating racial wealth gaps for their participants.

  77. two people at a table taking notes
    Implementing Meaningful Measures to Hire, Retain, and Cultivate Diverse Talent in Higher Education

    To implement and foster an inclusive climate in higher ed, institutions need to create a culture of belonging, attract diverse talent at the entry level, and build intentional pathways to retain diverse talent.

  78. people looking at notes
    Career Development for First-Generation Students

    A survey of 300 first-generation college students identified three skill sets that these students need for career success: relationship management; virtual work; and leadership skills.

  79. two people looking at computer screen
    Carolina Cluster Initiative Focuses on Career Readiness and Employer Engagement

    The Carolina Cluster forged a new model for career readiness and designed and implemented programs to improve employment outcomes for graduates.

  80. six people standing
    Conagra Brands Works With ERGs to Bolster Diversity Recruiting Efforts

    Employee resource groups can be valuable tools for helping employers to bolster their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and to help with effective onboarding and retention.

  81. Bar Graph
    Tracking Demographics Helps Career Centers Serve Total Student Population

    To best serve a total student body, it is incumbent upon career centers to evaluate exactly who is using their services and how they are promoting their services.

  82. abstract images of people standing
    An Introduction to Successful Practices for Serving Trans Students

    College and university career services practitioners should continuously search for, review, and consider implementing practices that have proven successful in the service of trans students. This article serves as an introduction to successful practices.

  83. Women looking at large screen
    Cigna Event Celebrates and Engages Its HBCU Alumni and Allies

    Cigna recently held a virtual event to increase awareness of HBCUs and spotlight the prominence and legacy of HBCUs in the Black community.

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