Diversity Today

Cultural diversity is a challenge in the global workforce, and career management professionals must be prepared to work with clients in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways. This section is designed to educate career managers about issues they might encounter when meeting with diverse populations, and to help them create strategies to deal successfully with a wide range of clients and employees. Specifically, important determinants will be explored, such as racism, gender, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, nationality, veteran status, homelessness, ex-offenders, workforce reentry, socioeconomic status, specific ethnic groups, and immigrants.

Each of these groups could also be divided into many subcategories. Women, for instance, could include welfare recipients, single mothers, and displaced homemakers. People with disabilities include those with learning, psychiatric, or physical disabilities, as well as those with AIDS, etc. Many populations also represent more than one diverse group, for instance, African-American women reentering the workforce or gay men with physical disabilities. Each group is unique, has its own issues, and deserves to be dealt with in a sensitive manner that acknowledges, understands and—when appropriate—deals directly with these differences.

Career Coaches will be exposed to a diverse audience including women reentering the workforce, gay and lesbian clients, clients of different ethnicities, professionals over the age of 50, and young adults with limited education. Each of these client groups requires different services and career management methods, which will challenge coaches to expand their knowledge about varying cultural influences. They will also be challenged to be more aware of social barriers for different populations and world views, and the challenges associated with each group.