2015-2016 HBCU Careers Magazine

HBCU Careers Magazine

REDI Roadmap To Address Attracting & Retaining A New Federal Workforce By: John Bersentes

REDI Roadmap To Address Attracting & Retaining A New Federal Workforce. Change comes from within and often requires us to take a fresh look at how we do things. In the talent management space for the public sector many believe that it is high time we re-think how Recruitment, Engagement Diversity & Inclusion should work. The Obama Administration has been quite vocal and sought to enact real legislation and mandates to encourage agencies to change how we attract and retain talent. As the public workforce seeks to build “Americas Workforce” as evidenced by the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s actions in line with the Presidential Management Agenda relating to a cross-agency cutting objective known under the catch phase People & Culture. < Link to http://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-director/americas-workforce/> At no other time over that past three decades havewe seen a better time for efforts that can address the

lack of representation by key segments of our society in the leadership ranks of the public sector. As more students face moving home in with their parents due to a lack of jobs for our young people, as you represent a small and notable percentage of students that have struggled to be accepted and attend the university the rise and the road ahead for “the best and brightest” so often can be informed by those that sought a path leading from a proud legacy and tradition of grassroots organizing to a digital engagement approach; whereupon I would urge you to consider the benefits of seeking out information about the prospects of launching your career with a government job. Adecadeor twoagotheremayhavebeensomecredenceinmisperceptions that existed about career paths being laid out too narrowly for diverse candidates. Some would even chastise that most jobs promoted on niche job boards were relegated to call center, telemarketing or began with a government postal service roles or a military career was needed from which initial employment started at the enlisted ranks of the military, not the civilian sector. Nobody wants to start in an administrative role that was nothing more than a glorified office clerical type of position. As a diversity minded recruiter, I would have told you “do not settle” and do not go quiet into that good night; but today I would encourage you to consider the series of positions and learning opportunities that can await you when you dedicate yourself not to just a role per se, but to a mission that a career in public service can provide to you. Why? Career Development & Fast Track Programs The point of developing a STEAM lab is to increase the depth and complexity of student work, while reaching students who traditionally do not engage in math or science such as women and minorities. Consider your HBCU a STEAM lab and how can your school tap into

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