Job posting: What the hell does this mean?

[Dr. Ted Nelson]

This is in the qualifications field of a job posting for a director of social community position at a university. Maybe it's not a good sign that I don't quite understand what they're looking for here, but nonetheless, I come before SportsJournalists.com and its collective wisdom.
What are they asking for?

"The successful candidate must provide a separate statement describing a history of working with or demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and/or other issues of historic marginalization."

 

[rtse11]

"Profiling is wrong."

 

[Raiders]

Are you asking about "historic marginalization"? I would take that to mean people who generally are pushed aside or ignored by most segments of society.

Homeless people, for example.

 

[playthrough]

And newspaper employees.

 

[Dr. Ted Nelson]

I guess I should clarify.
Are they seriously asking applicants to write a "separate statement" that says, "I am not racist, nor do I laugh at handicapped people nor park in their spots." Or is there something deeper I'm missing?

 

[playthrough]

Well, I'd say a little deeper than your quote, as you probably know. But yeah, looks like they want an essay about how you respect diversity and have been involved with it.

Enjoy.

 

[That 1 Guy]

"The successful candidate must provide a separate statement describing a history of working with or demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and/or other issues of historic marginalization."

I would say the bolded part is the important part.

 

[HanSenSE]

The sentence in question needs to be translated into English first ...

 

[deskslave]

Assuming you've been in a management position before, I'd imagine the "right" answer would be that you've always made an effort, for example, to reach out to minority journalism groups with job vacancies, etc.

But I don't even know what "director of social community" means, let alone this nonsense, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[flexmaster33]

welcome to universities...get used to the red tape, meaningless assignments along with bigger paychecks and more job stability. Go for it if you can stomach it.

 

[Stitch]

welcome to universities...get used to the red tape, meaningless assignments along with bigger paychecks and more job stability. Go for it if you can stomach it.

I'm working in a university relations department right now and that's about it. You have to write a bunch of gibberish, get it past a committee, don't **** off any professor or high-ranking administrator, and be part of initiatives that have nothing to do with your job.

For example, yesterday I had to draft two letters of sympathy for a former student who was killed after drinking and driving, and for a former dean who died. That letter gets passed up the chain to a couple of people before the university president gives his OK.

Last week, I had to battle with the athletic department over getting the right info for summer camp brochures. Coaches don't seem to understand that "same as last year" doesn't cut it when it comes time to list their records or achievements.

 

[Kirill]

I run into the same bull**** when applying for math job position. Of course it it stupid. But they know that we have to go through it to get a job.
I wrote this statement:
"During all my history of employment, I have been working with colleagues and friends of different race, gender, sexual orientation and disability. All of them were not only pleasant people but also great colleagues and collaborators. I do deeply respect people disregarding their race, gender, sexual orientation and disability."
I hope it will be helpful.... Good luck!
The level of bureaucratic insanity grows every year since the number of graduates loafers becoming more and more and they have to be something to do....

 

[Bronco77]

I'm working in a university relations department right now and that's about it. You have to write a bunch of gibberish, get it past a committee, don't **** off any professor or high-ranking administrator, and be part of initiatives that have nothing to do with your job.

My sister has a job like this for a large state university, and this description is right on target. On the other hand, she really enjoys working in the college atmosphere as opposed to previous jobs in the private sector. And given that she's not in the newspaper industry, she makes as much money as I do and has much greater medium- and long-term job security.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Shorter version = If you have to ask, you're f_cked.

 

[User 4332]

And that's the downside to working at a university, sometimes the BS is mind numbing.

I don't want to be the reason you don't get the job, but I'd be tempted to keep the statement as short as possible: "I'm not a racist, sexist or homophobe. and I've always worked to include sources with diverse backgrounds into my stories."

 

[PaperDoll]

Tufts University required an essay on a similar topic in its undergrad application more than 20 years ago. I think I wrote about who sat at my table in the cafeteria.

 

[mpcincal]

This is in the qualifications field of a job posting for a director of social community position at a university. Maybe it's not a good sign that I don't quite understand what they're looking for here, but nonetheless, I come before SportsJournalists.com and its collective wisdom.
What are they asking for?

"The successful candidate must provide a separate statement describing a history of working with or demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and/or other issues of historic marginalization."

Tell them you're currently a barista at Starbucks. You'll be in like Flynn. #racetogether

 

[WriteThinking]

Not that a self-written "statement," which could be a complete inaccuracy and total fabrication of you or your career, is actually a real "demonstration" of anything.

I'd send along a couple examples of stories or blogs or posts or videos that, perhaps, actually deal with or are related to such issues and say, "I think my work speaks for itself."

But then, I realize, I might not get the job.