Career Center to host Diversity Works networking event

By Kyle Hobstetter on October 9, 2020

On Thursday, Oct. 15, the Towson University Career Center will host Diversity Works, a virtual career networking event that links members of TU’s diverse student and recent alumni populations with employers who are committed to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.

Those wishing to attend must register through Handshake by Monday, Oct. 12. The event is open to the entire TU community, with a particular focus on diverse student groups including minorities, LGBTQA+, students with disabilities, veterans and women.

“In today’s climate, I think it is imperative to support our students of all cultural backgrounds in every way that we can,” says Shelia Tilghman, recruitment coordinator for the TU Career Center. “We have to ensure that TU students are ready and that they have the confidence to seek the careers that they have worked so hard to achieve.”

Diversity Works connects participants and employers via chat and video conferencing on the Handshake platform. Students can also communicate with employers in a one-on-one or group session. 

Around 25 employers are expected to take part in the event, including GBMC, M&T Bank, Morgan Stanley, Quicken Loans, Sherwin-Williams, Target, TEKSystems, the Baltimore Orioles and T. Rowe Price. A complete list will be available through Handshake before the event.

According to the Career Center, participants should research the employers and prepare brief introductory chats that explain how their skills and strengths align with the specific opportunities the employers seek to fill.

Attendees should also treat the virtual event as if it were in-person. This includes having their resume file easily accessible and dressing professionally. Attendees should also have a professional background with proper lighting. 

Tilghman says that it’s been great to see so many high-level organizations jump at a chance to talk with members of the TU community. 

“Throughout this year of challenge and tremendous change, the Career Center has remained focused on providing the best services for our students’ success,” Tilghman says. “During the registration process, employers are required to provide a statement that explains how they actively support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within their organization.

“I was excited to see an overwhelming interest from employers seeking to support these DEI initiatives.”

This term, the TU Career Center has offered students networking opportunities as well as preparation for life after graduation. 

• The Career Center hosted the Fall Career and Internship Virtual Fair, which gave students a chance to meet with more than 100 potential employers. Those employers had the option to support the Diversity in the Workplace program by donating to the Career Center’s expanded initiatives for 2021. 

• On Oct. 9, the STEM Career Community hosted a Men of Color & Career event. It focused on connecting students with special guests from TU and external employers to discuss career experiences. Career Communities have also hosted events like Coffee with a Coach, Women of Color in STEM and Navigating the Security Clearance Process with the NSA. 

• The Career Center has partnered with TU’s Office of Accessibility & Disability Services to prepare eligible students for the Federal Workforce Development Program application and interview process. 

To stay up to date with the Career Center, as well as the events it offers throughout the year, follow the Career Center’s social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: Lifelong Career Center.