Only 2% of EYs intern class says diversity is a key factor in choosing an employer

[FLPanhandle]

https://qz.com/1077907/only-2-of-the-interns-at-ey-say-diversity-is-a-key-factor-in-choosing-an-employer/

Millennials, the conventional wisdom holds, value diversity and seek it out when applying for jobs.

Or maybe not.

In a July survey, just 2% of interns at EY—the accounting and consulting firm formerly called Ernst & Young—said they prioritized a company’s reputation for diversity and inclusion when looking for an employer. It trailed other factors like opportunities for growth and advancement, selected by 84%; flexibility (59%); and parental leave benefits (16%).

EY polled more than 1,660 of its interns around the world, in an online survey. Respondents could select multiple answers.

It’s hard to interpret the results. Two-thirds of the interns surveyed were white; it’s possible that diversity doesn’t register as a concern for most of them. It’s also possible they’re just extremely self-interested, but only 1% said they prioritized salary, while 27% said they valued a “robust community engagement and social responsibility offering,” suggesting they’re not completely detached from social issues.

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Interesting that even with 1/3 of the interns being POC only 2% of the interns feel diversity is a key factor in employment

[brush]

1. Only 1% said they prioritized salary? Sounds like a response to what they think someone...

wants to hear.

[FLPanhandle]

2. Accounting firms probably all pay new college graduates about the same

So, I can see that not being as much of a factor when choosing among them as growth/progression rate.

[JI7]

3. Its not really surprising since they would be limiting their options and probably have faced

Enough prejudice to know many places will not be diverse for a reason.

[Sanity Claws]

4. We are talking about accounting majors here

That is not a good cross-section of millennials.

[hedda_foil]

5. Well no wonder. EY formerly Ernst and Young.

Interns there, almost by definition would tend towards conservative views. Not necessarily Trumpish, but not progressive. views,

[JoeStuckInOH]

6. I think most educated millenials really dont care about race issues in their personal relationships.

And I don't mean, "they don't give a shit". I mean for many younger people race is a nonfactor. They view it like older people would view the trivialness of hair or eye color in determining how you feel about that person. It really doesn't matter. Colorblindness. I'm a millennial, by definition. I personally don't care if I'm applying to an majority white, black or Hispanic company. Results and personal respect matter and when I meet someone for the first time, everyone is equal.

I spent two years working in an engineering group where I was one of two white guys on a shift/group of 8 people. I never thought twice about it other than the statistical anomaly of the situation. There were a couple AA my own age and it was business as usual. Sure, they had different understanding of racial undercurrents due to their upbringing, but as far as present relationships we were really on the same page without any surprises. But many of the AA's in the group were late 50's and early 60's and I found personal conversations with them most interesting. Just an entirely different mindset about racial issues than I developed in the period I grew up in Northern Ohio. I learned to look at situations from an entirely different perspective.

I've been in working groups with 100% white males, too. Doesn't matter to me. Unfortunately, never had more than one female in a working group ... as there just doesn't seem to be many females engineering.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Here's hoping people don't think this online survey of interns can draw bigger pictures.

"Diversity" means different things in different parts of the world. This survey focused on a very small slice of a certain kind of person -- one who as already succeeded by getting into a top college and nabbing an internship at a large global consulting firm. Honestly, what is diversity to them?

[haveahart]

8. Most people look for training for good paying jobs first, few care about diversity when

looking for employment. They want a job, with good salary, benefits, and security and opportunity for advancement.