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DWASARI: Diversity, equity, inclusion efforts must consider socioeconomic status

Column: Cut the Bull

Diversity efforts must include those from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. – Photo by Amy Elting / Unsplash

America emphasizes diversity and inclusion, which will continue to bring opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups of people and bring new perspectives to society. There is a virtue to bringing in those with different backgrounds, particularly in thought.

As someone who went through the college admissions process and is starting to go through the internship recruitment process, I can see these efforts reflected in the demographics of those in schools and at firms.

One area that I feel the diversity and inclusion process and affirmative action fail to factor in is evaluating the backgrounds of socioeconomically challenged individuals. My remark is not to say that they are completely neglected — because they are not — but that there is a lack of emphasis on the area. 

To start, understanding the experiences of individuals of lower socioeconomic status presents major roadblocks for educational institutions and workplaces, let alone economists who have dedicated years to the subject. 

Any economic theory that I could present would be minimal, considering I am an undergraduate student who took one lower elective in inequality. Still, I can bring awareness to an issue that has been ignored amid the success of different inclusion efforts. 

After a year of college, I have seen the impact parents' wealth has on kids. I am lucky that my parents have more than adequate means to support me. Knowing people who support themselves by taking on one or more jobs and have the same workload as me, I believe they do not get enough of a benefit that other minority groups do.

This semester, I am doing a part-time internship and school, which is burdensome in itself. Putting it into perspective, I could not possibly imagine managing a sustainable job while balancing my education.

Colleges make some effort by putting a section in which they verify the family contributions of applicants and have marquee programs like QuestBridge that (no pun intended) bridge the gap.

At the same time, the workplace makes indirect efforts through the diversity programs and initiatives they set up. In both colleges and the workplace, there could be a greater emphasis on the socioeconomic factor due to the drastic impact on access to opportunities and quality of life.

In respect to colleges, I hope institutions evaluate the candidates based on how they have maximized the resources available to them. Several applicants for the best institutions may have started their own non-profit business or an activity that sets them apart from high-achieving students.

Those who need to support their families may have helped manage their family restaurant since they were legally allowed to work or take on an intensive minimum wage job, leaving them with no time to excel in ways affluent applicants could have. If these kids are working 40-hour weeks, while maintaining excellent grades, I feel they are reaching greater heights than kids who may have standout extracurriculars. 

When it comes to the workplace, the diversity programs set in place, especially in fields that have traditionally been dominated for years by white men, help connect and teach those who may not have had such opportunities.

Having information sessions and mentorship programs for underprivileged students is vital in assisting them in earning opportunities in the field. In addition to general diversity programs, I believe creating targeted programs for those with socioeconomic disadvantages is key to making diversity and inclusion an even greater core principle.

While my solutions will not be a game-changer, they are a start to gaining greater perspective. Wealth inequality has only worsened, which presents the root problem of equal opportunity. Like the purpose of affirmative action efforts, we must enact policies and programs that weigh the impact of this issue and not let generations of young kids miss life-changing opportunities due to lower socioeconomic standing.

Akhil Dwasari is a Rutgers Business School sophomore majoring in finance and minoring in political science. His column, "Cut the Bull," runs on alternate Tuesdays. 


*Columns, cartoons and letters do not necessarily reflect the views of the Targum Publishing Company or its staff.

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