More than 25 employers gathered on the second floor of the PMAC Thursday to recruit LSU’s minority students at the first ever “Cultural Connections.”
Held in conjunction with LSU’s Career Day, Cultural Connections was hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Career Services. It provided students an opportunity to meet employers specifically interested in hiring diverse students.
“There are barriers a minority students sees, both perceived and real,” said Beverly Major, assistant director of the Office of Career Services. “We’ve got to break those barriers down.”
Major said it is easy for minority students to think companies are not interested in them because of their race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.
“When those students come here and meet employers face to face who really want to hire them, it helps break down a barrier,” she said.
Melanie Perry, a ChevronTexaco petroleum engineer, said the company is committed to diversity.
“If you walk through our halls, you’ll notice it,” she said. “We work in teams, and in a team, diversity is invaluable.”
Perry said race should not be a barrier to any student.
“That’s why I’m here,” she said.
Tiffany Charles, a mass communication junior, said one-on-one contact with recruiters such as Perry made her feel more comfortable.
“They’ve been so friendly and interested,” she said.
Chaunda Allen, OMA program coordinator, said it was important for students such as Charles to talk to company representatives personally.
“These companies are really interested in these students,” she said.
Allen said she was pleased students would take advantage of the opportunity to talk to employers who appreciate their diversity.
Georgia Pacific entry-level engineering manager Kate Tichon, who normally recruits minority students, agreed.
Tichon said diversity of thought and curriculum is as important as diversity of race and ethnicity.
“I just hope the students find our efforts helpful,” she said.
Tia Tucker, an international studies senior, said the event was not as helpful as it could have been.
“Most of the companies here are looking for engineering and computer science majors,” she said. “It’s difficult for liberal arts majors to find employers here who really need someone in their field.”
Maurice Gipson, a marketing junior, agreed.
“Cultural Connections is a great program,” he said. “But overall I think there’s not much here for me.”
Despite this, both Gipson and Tucker said the event was positive for the University’s minority students.
Tucker said just knowing employers wanted to talk to her personally was important.
“Even if you can’t find a job here, it’s encouraging,” she said.