Why Diversity in STEM Requires More than Just 'Special' Hiring Requirements
I started my career in IT, a field that falls under the broader STEM category. For a few years, I was responsible for hiring individuals for our department. What I prioritized in the hiring process were experience and a willingness to learn, completely disregarding the gender or race of applicants. However, this approach led to some challenges as I had to handle situations where certain individuals felt discriminated against.
Challenges of Gender-Neutral Hiring
One of the issues with my approach was the physical nature of some tasks, such as pulling cables out from underneath the computer room floor. To mitigate this, I rotated the responsibility among all members of my shift, scheduling one person a week to perform the task and reminding them to wear jeans to protect their clothes. This worked well for most employees, including three other women on my team who had no issues with the task.
One minority female, however, consistently refused to perform the task, citing her dress as the reason. Despite my efforts to explain the necessity of the role, she escalated the situation to Human Resources, making various discriminatory claims including race, gender, veteran status, and family leave eligibility. Her accusations caused considerable trouble for me, leading HR to rewrite her performance review and promote her to the highest possible level, alongside giving her a significant raise. This did not sit well with me, and I knew my time in the field was coming to an end.
A Losing Proposition
The incident highlighted the challenges of implementing special hiring requirements for the sake of diversity. When diversity hires are treated differently from others and given special accommodations, it can lead to a lose-lose situation. Not only does it undermine the principle of meritocracy, but it also creates an environment where some employees feel singled out and undervalued.
Other Sectors and Diversity
It's important to recognize that just because a sector like STEM needs more diversity doesn't mean that other fields, such as the rock music scene, should be singled out or coerced into participating. For instance, why not focus on adding more women who resemble 80s rock stars to the rock music scene? This, however, brings up a broader issue about self-centeredness and the misplaced expectations of altruism.
Altruism and Self-Sacrifice
Altruism, often characterized by self-sacrifice, is often seen as a noble concept, but it can also create unrealistic expectations. Human beings are not sacrificial animals, and the concept of altruism requires them to be. The idea that one must make personal sacrifices for the sake of diversity is not something that aligns with the natural inclinations of individuals or the principles of merit-based hiring.
Diversity in STEM vs. Entertainment
Comparing the competitive and creative nature of the rock music industry with the more structured, often less exciting, STEM fields highlights the impracticality of expecting the same level of diversity. The music industry thrives on individual talent, style, and creativity, not on the need to fit into a specific diversity quota.
The Value of Diversity
Diversity can be valuable, but it should not be something forced. The diversity in rock music is evident in the vast array of styles and sounds. Adding a new musical genre just to satisfy a diversity requirement would not only be redundant but also lack merit. The true value of diversity lies in bringing different experiences and perspectives to a field, not in creating artificial barriers or requirements.
In conclusion, promoting diversity in STEM requires a more thoughtful and merit-based approach. Efforts should focus on creating inclusive environments where all individuals, regardless of gender or race, are valued based on their skills and contributions. This approach not only fosters a more equitable workplace but also ensures that the field remains innovative and dynamic.