According to EDUCAUSE'S 2023 Higher Education Trend Watch, a macro trend emerging in higher education is a widespread effort to understand and address discrimination and inequities.
To begin to respond and address these challenges, IT units across higher education are proactively engaging with HR teams to refine job descriptions and encourage more diverse candidate pools, develop rubrics for resume reviews, and include job search advocates on search committees.
In parallel, staff development and support programs are providing diversity, equity, and inclusion training, staff affinity groups, and new career pathways and training opportunities for underrepresented populations within the institution.
Within Stanford's IT community, underrepresented staff may face challenges throughout their careers, such as:
- Broken rung: the first step on the ladder to becoming a manager is unavailable or inaccessible
- Glass ceiling: staff is unable to advance further once reaching a certain level
- Lack of representation in management
While the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings have brought awareness to these issues, it can be hard for employees to see how awareness will help their careers. Representation in management positions is part of the larger mission of IDEAL at Stanford. Addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in Stanford's IT community is an ongoing effort in alignment with the broader IDEAL program at Stanford.
IDEAL IT is committed to helping create a safe, equitable, diverse environment for fostering the IT community as they navigate their careers. IDEAL IT is working toward this mission with programs such as IT Experiental Development Program (IT EDP) and IT Mentoring, and events –– diversifying and empowering staff will lead to a future with more representation in management.
Fixing the broken rung: knowledge is power
As individuals are hired and provided tools and resources to succeed, staff will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles. Through programs such as IT Experiential Development Program (IT EDP), individuals can participate in other opportunities to help support learning, growth, and mobility at Stanford.
Exploratory conversations
Schedule a one-on-one informal conversation with a colleague in a role or on a team that interests you. Are you an individual contributor curious about the skills needed to become a supervisor or manager? Interested in learning about someone’s career journey? Who better to ask than someone currently in the role you want to pursue.
Meeting observation
Attend and observe meetings to gain valuable insights into various roles and organizations within Stanford IT. Exposure to different workgroups and their methodologies enables you to broaden your skill set within a controlled and supportive environment. Additionally, attending meetings beyond your immediate scope offers a safe opportunity to network and explore career mobility options.
Breaking through the glass ceiling: efforts toward change
Explore Careers in Technology Event (ExCITE)
POC-IT hosts Explore Careers in Technology Event (ExCITE), which provides IT community staff with tools and resources for career growth. Past event topics include “Behind the Curtain: Insights from Hiring Managers” and “Get ExCITEd About Your Future!”
The goal for each ExCITE is to further career advancement opportunities and increase internal hiring within the Stanford technology community in support of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in Stanford's IT community is an ongoing effort in alignment with the broader IDEAL program at Stanford. While it’s difficult to solve all of these challenges fully, our programs and events help support a more equitable future.
