BERKELEY, Calif. (PRWEB) November 21, 2019
With nearly double the response rate and the addition of several questions related to the institutional/organizational climate of inclusion, the 2019 Survey of Diversity & Inclusion Among International Educators is a rich source of information for practitioners, scholars, and others interested in better understanding the profession of international education and cultural exchange. Importantly, the results also provide data to which individual institutions and organizations can compare their own efforts to hire more diverse professionals and create more equitable opportunities for career advancement.
"The field of international education and cultural exchange has much to gain from greater insight into the backgrounds, the motivations of why individuals enter this profession and how we can support, retain, and promote career advancement in service of a more equitable and inclusive profession.”- Andrew Gordon, CEO & Founder.
According to the survey, which garnered 1,003 respondents, the racial/ethnic make-up of the 2019 respondents was more diverse than the 2018 pool with 35.1% identifying as diverse racial/ethnic professionals and 64.9% of survey respondents identifying as White professionals. Nearly a third (31.5%) of those who responded to the question about first-generation status identified as the first in their family to complete a college degree. Women represented 75.6% of the respondents and men 23.1%, non-binary or third gender made up 0.7%, 0.4% preferred not to disclose their gender, and 0.2% selected to self-describe their gender.
Similar to 2018, data collected on salary range was broken down by gender and racial/ethnic identification. While overall most 2019 respondents reported a salary of between $40,000 and $100,000, the distribution is different for men and women. Notably, the difference in proportion of male and female respondents reporting salaries greater than $100,000 increased from 2018 to 2019, as did the difference between male and female respondents reporting salaries less than $30,000.
New to the 2019 survey, several questions addressed a sense of belonging, a contemporary addition to the conversation around diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace that emphasizes connection, support, and respect. While the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they feel like they belong in their office or organization (80.1%) and that they feel respected and valued by their manager (80.1%), disaggregated responses based on race/ethnic identity groups revealed differences in levels of agreement. Additionally, along generational lines, respondents identifying as Millennials were in less agreement with the statement that they felt confident they could develop a career at their institution/organization compared to other generational cohorts. Greater institutional/organizational commitment is needed to develop and support inclusive policies and practices within the realm of international education and cultural exchange.
When answering open-ended questions relating to reasons for entering the field of international education and exchange, many professionals in the field share a commitment to international education that was spurred by their own personal experiences with international travel, work, study, and volunteering. This theme was frequently cited as a reason for pursuing a career in international education, with responses focusing on the transformational nature of study abroad and the imprint such experiences have left on the individual. Additionally, it underscores the importance of expanding who participates in global education in the first place.
As the leading organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusive policies and practices in international education, Diversity Abroad launched the annual survey to help the field make informed decisions on how we hire, develop professionals, and create inclusive employment practices in our offices, organizations, institutions.
To access the full report, go to:
https://www.diversitynetwork.org/page/Research_Reports
About Diversity Abroad
Diversity Abroad is the leading consortium of over 300 educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations who share its vision that the next generation of young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and global acumen to thrive in the 21st century global marketplace. Together, Diversity Abroad and its partners achieve this vision by advancing diversity and inclusive policies and practices in the international education field and by connecting diverse students to resources and educational and career opportunities.