Equity

What is Equity?

The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures.

Equity Vs Equality Illustration


NACE Research Supporting Equity in the Workplace

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Reports

The NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report provides diversity data for Class of 2021 college graduates based on academic major, institution, gender, race, and ethnicity, and median salary (where reported). Purchase one now and download it immediately.

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Since 1956, NACE has served as the leading source of information on the employment of the college educated and forecasts hiring trends in the job market; identifies best practices and benchmarks; and tracks starting salaries, recruiting practices, and student outcomes.

Additionally, NACE provides extensive ways to connect with your peers via Affinity Groups, professional development opportunities, and an annual conference & expo. By joining NACE, you join an engaged, passionate community that's dedicated to strengthening the bridge from campus to career, and—through research, partnerships and knowledge-sharing—works to ensure equitable outcomes for all.

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Get the latest insights into building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce

See how NACE and its members are advocating for equity and implementing it around the country.

  1. Graphs showing the results of NACE's latest quick poll.
    Fall 2023 Affirmative Action and Internship Quick Poll

    As we enter the new school and recruiting season, NACE is conducting a Fall Quick Poll. The focus of our poll is on two important issues– the impact the end of Affirmative Action is having on our work and state of unpaid internships.

  2. A woman examines an uneven stack of coins indicative of the widening gender pay gap.
    What Can Be Done to Shrink the Widening Gender Pay Gap?

    Early data from a forthcoming NACE study indicate that the gender pay gap has widened over the past year, with female graduates now earning just 72 cents to every dollar earned by male graduates, down from around 81 cents.

  3. A group of recruiters with their hands together.
    URR PROFESSIONALS HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES

    Some of the rewarding aspects of being a URR professional include changing people’s lives and providing a seat at the table for many who may not have been historically represented.

  4. Two people shaking hands.
    Look Around, Lean In, and Level Up: Creating Strong Partnerships With HBCUs and PBIs

    What are some key considerations and steps for employers to take to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with HBCUs and PBIs?

  5. A group of black women in professional attire.
    CULTURAL WEALTH, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND CAREER OUTCOMES: BLACK ALUMNAE IN A MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTION

    A study at a minority-serving institution uncovers aspects of social and cultural capital that contribute to the college-to-career transition of Black undergraduate women.

  6. A group of job applicants waiting for an interview.
    LACK OF CONCEPTUAL CLARITY ABOUT DEI&B AND ITS DESIGNATED LEADERSHIP SLOWS PROGRESS

    Interviews with diversity, talent, and industry experts revealed confusion, conflation, and a general lack of conceptual clarity around fundamental differences in DEI& B in their organizations.

  7. A group of diverse women.
    GAUGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMAL DIVERSITY RECRUITING EFFORTS

    Slightly more than 85% of employers reported having formal diversity recruiting goals, according to NACE’s 2022 Recruiting Benchmarks Report, but how effective are these efforts?

  8. An illustration of a person trying to climb a ladder towards a graduation cap.
    CREATING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE: PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS FACING FINANCIAL INSECURITIES

    At the University of Cincinnati, students facing financial constraints can access a grant designed to enable them to engage in career-focused courses.

  9. A group of professionals evaluate their organization's equity efforts.
    CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE EQUITY AUDITS REQUIRES ASKING HARD QUESTIONS, PLANNING TO ADDRESS FINDINGS

    Research conducted by NACE and The Center for the Study of HBCUs underscores how important it is for companies to conduct audits to assess gaps and inequities in their recruiting efforts.

  10. An intern working at his internship.
    Alumni Gift Will Grow W&M Funding for Unpaid, Underpaid Internships

    A new $1 million gift supporting career development at William & Mary will triple the number of students annually who can receive university funding for unpaid and underpaid internships.

  11. A group of people places all of their hands on top of one another.
    The Importance of Belonging: How to Create and Find It in the Workplace

    Chelsea C. Williams, founder and CEO of Reimagine Talent Co., defines “belonging” as a feeling that people have when they are seen, valued, protected, and respected. “While, ultimately, individuals determine and define their sense of belonging, I do believe there are steps we can take to build for belonging,” Williams adds.

  12. A group of college students sit together.
    Skills-based Hiring and Networking Encourages Nontraditional Candidates to Apply for Jobs

    When employers consider skills and practice skills-based hiring and skills-based networking, they bring in a more diverse slate of candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, says Asha Aravindakshan.

  13. A scene from an internship fair.
    JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIR TOURS HELP FIRST-GEN STUDENTS BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE NAVIGATING EVENT

    The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering Job & Internship Fair Tours were created to engage more first- and second-year students in job fairs and to reduce barriers to attendance.

  14. Paper cutouts of people in different colors.
    Embracing Intersectionality Involves Making Personal Connections to See Value in Each Employee

    Diversity and inclusion have traditionally been about race and about sex, but we are all so much more than just what is visible, explains author, speaker, and social impact adviser Michele Sullivan.

  15. A woman stands in front of a room of people to discuss inclusivity.
    Training, Intentionality, Accountability Key Elements of Building Inclusive Work Culture

    There are key steps that employers and colleges can take to ensure that their culture is inclusive, such as providing training, planning intentionally, and holding employees accountable, says MarTeze Hammonds, Ed.D.

  16. A composite illustration of hands creating a network.
    UB Social Impact Fellows Program Taps Into Student Innovation to Solve Community Problems

    A University at Buffalo program uses project-based internships with local nonprofits to promote collaboration, interdisciplinary exchange, and the value of social innovation among graduate students.

  17. A composite image of a person's silhouette and an abstract network.
    Addressing the Prevalence of Mental Health Issues in Young Professionals

    College graduates in their early professional careers report significant mental health issues and view their jobs as a contributing factor. How can employers and colleges provide support?

  18. Two HBCU graduates smile for a photo on graduation day.
    The HBCU Experience

    Three members of NACE’s HBCU Affinity Group share their thoughts about and personal experiences with HBCUs.

  19. A group of interns work on a project at a PC.
    Keeping Momentum Going by Converting Interns From Historically Marginalized Groups

    Beyond ensuring diversity in the composition of their intern cohort, employers’ ability to convert their interns into full-time hires is a critical component to diversifying their workforce.

  20. A group of coworkers in a meeting.
    Liberty Mutual’s Centralized DEI Team Provides Alignment, Clarity, and Operating Rhythm

    Liberty Mutual takes a very targeted approach to the sources of talent they try to attract, engage, and hire. This extends far beyond a traditional target school list.