SDSUnumbers are above other schools in CSU, UC systems
By G. Elena LopezContributor
Students from underrepresented ethnicities are earning fewerdegrees in business, according to a recent report.
The report, conducted by Diversity Pipeline Alliance — acoalition of 11 organizations that works to increase minorityrepresentation in business and management education — found that thepercentages of students earning business degrees from differentracial backgrounds has decreased in the past few years.
Report findings show that the number of bachelor’s degrees inbusiness awarded to Hispanics was down to 19 percent in 1998 from 23percent in 1989. The decline for Native Americans was from 21 percentto 16 percent and from 26 percent to 21 percent for AfricanAmericans.
At San Diego State, there are currently 5,166 students majoring inundergraduate business-related majors. Of that number, almost halfthe students are from ethnic backgrounds other than white Europeandescent.
Management senior Daniel Devers said people often get intotechnology fields as opposed to business because they’re drawn to thebig bucks. There is a ladder to climb in the field of business beforeyou start earning big figures, he said.
“It’s important that underrepresented students get involved inbusiness because once they get in, they can take it back to theircommunity and serve as role models for others,” Devers said.
The U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics data predict ashortage of 35 million workers by 2030, with an average of 500,000new entry- to mid-level executive, managerial and administration jobsopening, yet only 250,000 business majors graduating from collegeeach year to fill those positions, according to the report.
“I think that a reason why more white students are inclined to gointo business is because a lot of them are used to their parentsworking in that field and were probably pushed into it,” marketingsenior Heidi Marye said.
Because the United States’ population is undergoing dramaticshifts in racial and ethnic composition as documented in Census 2000,the report states that this point in time is critical in preparingfor the long-term demographic and economic trends the United Stateswill experience.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic Americans, AfricanAmericans and Native Americans now make up more than 25 percent ofthe total population. It is estimated that in 10 years, thisproportion will rise to more than 28 percent.
Also, the total college-age population is predicted to grow 16percent by 2015, with 80 percent of those students representingminorities.
Based on research, the report generally states that businessesthat employ more minorities are more successful.
“If a business is not catering to all different areas ofdiversity, it’s going to be very limited in its success,” saidinformation and decisions systems professor Jim Lackritz. “If I wantto do business with all different sorts of people and differentcommunities, my workforce better be reflective of the people I wantto do business with.”
SDSU has engaged in a concerned effort to be diverse, to representpeople of all colors and to represent what the California populationis currently, Lackritz said.
SDSU works with local high schools and community colleges toattract students from all backgrounds.
The Compact for Success program with the Sweetwater Union Districtis SDSU’s effort to provide outreach to students at a younger age. Ittargets 7th and 8th graders from a predominantly minority-basedcommunity.
SDSU offers mentorship programs and the Freshman Success Program,where issues such as diversity in the workplace and in the universityare discussed.
SDSU also offers an extensive international business program thatwas recognized for its innovative exchange programs and comprehensivestudy requirements by the Institute of International Education’sAndrew Heiskell Awards, based in New York.
It was the first of its kind to establish a transnationaldual-degree program (MexUS) and now offers six dual-degree programs– the most in the country.
A joint venture with Mexico and Canada was also recently launched;the first triple-degree program of any kind in this country.
“The business school is a very rigorous program because we’retrying to set you up to succeed,” Lackritz said. “Our goal in theCollege of Business is for you to go out and be successful alumni.”
