The days where “diversity hiring” was narrowly interpreted as finding qualified candidates from a single demographic group are behind us. Employers today are looking for new graduates with the professional preparation, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in a competitive workforce across several underrepresented groups. This shift is reflected in the changing demographics of American college students as the pool of candidates that traditionally fall into the category of “diverse” expands.
According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI), in Fall 2020, Black students comprised 12.5% of all postsecondary enrollments in the United States. However, data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates a declining trend in Black student enrollment over the past decade. Specifically, Black student enrollment decreased from 3.04 million in Fall 2010 to 2.38 million in Fall 2020, marking a 22% decline.
According to NCES also, Hispanic enrollment in U.S. higher education has experienced notable changes since 2020. In 2020, Hispanic students constituted approximately 21.8% of undergraduate enrollments, making them the second-largest minority group enrolled in college.
In terms of overall representation, Asian students constituted approximately 7.3% of all postsecondary enrollments in the United States as of fall 2020. This reflects a steady increase in enrollment over the past decade.
Regardless of the shifting demographics of college students, here are four ways Black students can prepare themselves for a competitive job search post-college in any era.
How Black Students Can Stay Competitive Before Graduation
To effectively compete for career positions within major organizations, Black students must take intentional steps to strengthen their professional profiles and stand out, no matter what the job market is like. Here are four critical strategies:
1. Participate in Internships and Co-Ops
Gaining real-world experience is essential. At least two internships or co-op experiences before graduation are highly recommended to demonstrate hands-on skills and workplace readiness. However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Black students comprised 6.6% of the graduating senior sample in 2019 but held only 6% of paid internships, indicating underrepresentation. Additionally, Black students were more likely to participate in unpaid internships compared to their white peers.
Proactively pursuing these internship opportunities can set candidates apart in the job market.
2. Engage in Study Abroad Programs
International exposure broadens perspectives, enhances cultural adaptability and fosters career development. All of these are highly valued by employers. According to the Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers cites that the participation of Black or African American students in U.S. study abroad programs has historically been lower than their representation in the overall college student population. In the 2018–2019 academic year, Black students constituted 6.4% of U.S. students studying abroad, marking their highest participation rate to date.
3. Develop Leadership Skills
Leadership experience is a top skill employers look for in new graduates, regardless of whether their post-graduation plans involve employment, graduate school, or entrepreneurship. All of the core leadership skills – team work, problem solving, using initiative, being analytical – can be developed through involvement with campus organizations, student government, and community projects. These options offer excellent platforms to build and demonstrate leadership abilities. Communication skills and interpersonal skills are often linked to leadership, and are also consistently ranked as essential by employers. Taken together, these skills provide graduates with a significant competitive edge.
4. Shared Responsibility for Student Success
Although career centers are vital resources, the responsibility of preparing Black students for success must extend beyond the career offices. College leadership, parents, industry professionals, mentors etc. need to collaborate in delivering consistent messages about the skills, college experiences, and professional development strategies required to thrive in today’s workforce.
With college costs and student debt at all-time highs, ensuring students understand how to maximize the value of their degrees beyond graduation is critical. Providing clear guidance on how to compete in the professional world will better position Black students to succeed in increasingly competitive job markets.