Best Practices for Enhancing Diversity in the High-Tech Workplace

Last week, Comcast announced that it is creating a new position in the company called “Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion” and appointed Maria G. Arias to take on its responsibilities. Arias will “direct, manage, and organize Comcast’s diversity program strategy,” which includes important issues such as minority recruitment, career development, suppliers, and programming. Named one of the “100 Most Influential Minorities in Cable” in 2010, Arias is well positioned to serve as a role model for minorities considering careers in the telecommunications and high-tech sectors.

Comcast and other broadband service providers have long been leaders in developing minority workforces. This recent announcement is great news for minority communities that are yearning for increased minority-focused content and general inclusion in the digital media sector. But more work needs to be done across other parts of this emerging ecosystem, including the high-tech sector. The San Jose Mercury News published an article last year disclosing figures that revealed just how few minorities are employed by firms operating in Silicon Valley, our nation’s leading hub for innovation. As previously discussed on BBSJ, these findings are highly discouraging.

Nevertheless, minority employment in high-tech appears to be improving, albeit slowly. Following the lead of companies like Comcast, a growing number of high-tech firms are promoting tech-based educational programs and embracing in-house diversity initiatives. The Information Technology Industry Council, for example, has reported that Cisco has deployed a number of educational projects focused on building “tomorrow’s workforce,” many of which target minority students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.