From the GARM: So basically organizations for people who would be unemployed if they were white. Am I wrong to make this assumption? I mean what goes through the minds of these people when they meet candidates from The National Society of Engineers at job hunts? Or in the workplace when they're having some friendly rivalry over resumes... in no way am I saying they aren't capable of doing the job and once you get hired you're judged from a clean slate, but psychologically, it must be tough. Thoughts?
Not too many black engineers when I was at school. If they want to form some organization, all the more power to them. What's the big deal?
Feels like they're being smug and catering to affirmative action, like they already know they'd be overlooked if they in the National Society of Engineers (black not included). These things go on their resume so I'd say it's somewhat of a big deal.
Minority organizations play a ridiculously important role in providing opportunities to those students who would normally consider, have the resources for or have the know-how about a specific line of work. Just by being surrounded by other students who come from the same or similar backgrounds provides a huge boost in confidence and encourages them to strive for more. Besides that, the fact that you get tons of guidance and advice from your peers makes it more likely that you will succeed.
Opportunities? This is about ability, think of the A. Asian guy who joins an engineering group versus the B. Asian guy who joins a Filipino Engineering group. I see these two going head to head and the first thing I tell myself is A isn't afraid to get out of his comfort zone and holds himself to the same standards as the very best out there. B comes off as someone who needs to be babied or feel more entitled to something than he really is because he is, infact, a minority. It's creating an unnecessary divide between the talent in this country. Think of the poor Jewish guy who's always been chastised for his faith and his neurotic tendencies but has to work twice as hard to get to where he is because he is seen as an American, and not an African American. I consider affirmative action an archaic policy, if I own an engineering firm I want the best, most industry savvy talent available. Am I the only one that thinks putting in a non-social ethnicity based organization on your resume is a negative unless you've accepted that you do, in fact, need affirmative action to have a job?
This statement alone outlines the fact that you are letting your preconceived notions, about these minority organizations, get in the way of actually understanding the good that comes from them. Yes, perhaps as an employer you can see it as you choose to see it. However, you can also choose to see it as the student who broke out of his comfort zone and chose to be in a career where his people are severely underrepresented and actually have the dedication and will to join an organization that will help him join the profession he desires. Think about the culture some of these kids come from and where they are trying to go; it is a massive jump. These organizations are excellent at bridging the gap and facilitating greater minority involvement while still fostering academic achievement. If the kid ends up becoming a competent engineer, why the hell does it matter that he was part of minority organization?
Maybe if the person reviewing that resume shared your preconceived notions about minority organizations it's a negative. I don't know, I would imagine that most employers would just look at it as another leadership activity. Seriously, it's just another way to network. And being a member of a minority organization doesn't prevent you from joining other professional societies. I'm a member of a society for asian american accountants, but I also have a membership with the NJSCPA. If someone's a member of the NSBE, why wouldn't they also be a member of the NSPE?
I don't see a problem with him joining a minority club, but employers aren't stupid, they want to know what you did there...if you got some engineering experience from one of their projects or was an officer that lead the club to accomplish something notable...that's got to account for something. But just being in the club and not doing crap? They'll know that's all resume fluff.
In what context? When they're given by minority organizations, or just in general? Like, if the National Society for Black Engineers decided to award a scholarship to promising black high school graduates looking to go into engineering, I don't really see a problem there.
NSBE is a great organization, and has members other than just Black engineers. It promotes minority scholarships that tend to go to really bright students that couldn't afford college on their on. The professional chapters offer great networking opportunities, although less so than discipline-specific engineering organizations or NSPE. I think he was a member of the student chapter at GT.
Anyone know where I can find an online app for the NBA Players' Association? Isn't that for wannabe NBA players? My dream died decades ago but everyone loves a comeback!!
Thoughts? You have gone way off the reservation. My significant other is a state executive who belongs to several women's professional groups. One of their goals, besides promoting professional development and networking, where she is a resource, along with many other professional women with successful careers, for young women attempting to make their way in an area dominated by men, is an effort to bring women equal rights in the workplace. Women still do not get paid the same for equal work. They aren't promoted at the same rate as men, all things being equal. That's simply a fact, and very similar to Black professional organizations attempting to put descrimination to bed, once and for all. What we have here is Bizarro Ronny.
In general I don't like them for the same reason I dislike affirmative action. To be clear, I understand the pragmatism that necessitates it... but I don't have to like it.
It always amazes me when someone blames blacks for black organizations existing. I remember this girl in an African American Studies class was railing on black fraternities for promoting segregation by their existence. I'm like hey, are you going to just totally ignore the history of this country and race relations that forced blacks to form their own organiztions?
In the specific case of NSBE, the organization was formed to help young black engineering students who weren't prepared for the ciriculum and who probably felt they had no one to turn to for help. What's the big deal
