Soc. 3251W Race, Class, and Gender

On April 30, 2007 there was an article that ran in the Star Tribune newspaper titled, "Minnesota companies have learned how to recruit minority workers. Now the problem is KEEPING THEM." This article discusses how it is such a challenge for corporate Minnesota, who spends so much on getting African-AMerican transplants, to hold on to them once they are here. Although it is a struggle with all minorities, it is even more prominent among blacks because recruiters say that there is a much smaller number of them. Only six percent made up the population in the metropolitan Twin Cities in 2003. The article goes on to discuss how when a Twin Cities company hires a diversity candidate, that they work hard to introduce the individual to to other diverisity employees and show them what Minnesota has to offer in areas such as churches, ethnic markets, and entertainment. Companies have found that a diverse candidate who does not feel attached and welcomed to the Twin Cities is most likely to leave in less than two years. A black women that was interviewed expressed that it was many little things that all add up and make the quality of life unsatisfying. Minnesota would enjoy for these minorities to stay, after all they are putting work into getting them here. Minnesota has devised many strategies for retaining minority workers, such as sponsers to help guide a worker with worries and uncertainties. I think this article was very informing. During the course of the semester, we have discussed how minorities need more options and I feel that Minnesota is doing a great job at trying to provide these opportunities.