There are several ways in which Asian Americans can benefit the community beyond just being a part of the boardroom. Although representation is a significant component of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Asian Americans can do more for our community by becoming mentors. Supporting the Asian community by offering networking opportunities and advice opens many doors for those trying to get into places that may have been challenging to reach without any connections within the industry. Even at the granular level here at Northeastern, Asian American students who have had co-ops can share their industry experiences and help guide peers. Students can become peer mentors and offer advice to other students while also strengthening the community by sharing career knowledge.
In the workplace, Asian Americans can join or implement affinity groups designed to support Asian culture. Additionally, some companies celebrate Asian heritage by honoring Asian holidays/cultural events in the workplace. I believe that Asian Americans in positions of power can advocate for their Asian colleagues by establishing initiatives to include Asian cultural events and facilitate DEI further. These groups and events can be a safe place for the community to cultivate an inclusive environment and share a commonplace of support. Do I think that Asian Americans can go beyond representation in the workplace? Yes, and I believe there are opportunities to share your experiences and educate peers that will strengthen the community and foster a thriving Asian American network.
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Hi Amanda (sorry for the delay!) – thank you for the thoughtful blog post. I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment that we should absolutely be asserting our cultural identities and celebrating the diversity of our backgrounds and experiences in the workplace, as a way to empower ourselves to be more visible as Asian folks (not just as corporate workers). As someone who worked in corporate DEI, it’s great to see young folks like you already passionate about joining DEI initiatives and engaging with affinity groups throughout your career.
I urge you to think more deeply about the systems in place that allow social phenomena like the bamboo ceiling to exist. How can we go beyond asserting our cultural identities at work to empowering the companies we represent to work towards antiracism? As you climb the ladder of success as a professional in your field, how will you empower the communities that supported you to grow and flourish alongside you? (Theoretical questions to ponder! Not actually anything I need a response to :D).
Enjoy your summer, Amanda! It’s been a joy to get to know you and share space with you this past semester. Good luck on your co-op, you’re going to do amazing things!