College graduates attempting to find work and network in science, technology, mathematics and engineering fields may be hindered by their ethnicity, according to a Chronicle of Higher Education study released last week.
The research found that when compared to Asian-American and Hispanic graduates, African-American graduates were paid 50 percent less, even though they majored in the same field.
Based on its findings, the study concluded more attention should be given to “how and why students choose their field of study, as well as the manner in which their education influences their occupational attainment.”
Natalie Nelson, president of the Black Business Student Association at UT, said networking is one of the most important aspects in increasing minority visibility in the corporate world.
“Resources give us leverage,” she said. “We also noticed that African-Americans are always less connected.”
Social events provide students with these real-world connections, Nelson said, citing a reception where students mingled with faculty from the McCombs School of Business.
Resources available to students do not stop with student organizations. Career service offices in each college at UT give soon-to-be graduates advice on how to approach the workforce.
Ray Easterlin, director of the College of Natural Science career services, said his experiences dealing with students and employers lead him to believe that businesses value diversity enough to accommodate minorities.
“It would be very surprising if the salary was not competitive for African-American students because employers are always seeking more diversity,” Easterlin said. “It’s usually part of their goal, and I’ve not heard anyone say anything that makes me think that African-American students or any other diversity group is paid less than anyone else.”
Easterlin said there was no noticeable disparity in the number of minority and white students who use his office’s resources.
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