High School
Workplace diversity experts rely on a well-rounded education in their work. Take classes in business, mathematics, history, social sciences, and computer science. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are needed so be sure to include classes in communications, English, psychology, and speech. Knowledge of a foreign language is beneficial for working with international companies.
Postsecondary Education
Most employers prefer to hire workplace diversity experts who have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in social science, such as psychology or sociology, or in human resources or a related field of study. Some workplace diversity experts may have a master's or doctoral degree. Areas of study include counseling, psychology, social work, human resource management, business administration, organizational development, industrial psychology, or other related fields. Classes in government and law are also essential for building knowledge of employment rules and regulations in the workplace.
Certification
The Association for Talent Development offers a DEI in talent development certificate and other certificate programs. Visit https://www.td.org/education for more information. Colleges and universities also provide a variety of human resources–related certificates. For example, Cornell University offers a diversity, equity and inclusion certificate and other DEI–related certificates to those who complete the certificate coursework online and pass an exam. Visit https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/ for more information.
Other Education or Training
Diversity experts must continue to learn throughout their careers to keep up with employment laws and best practices in business. They take continuing education classes and workshops offered by professional associations such as the Association for Talent Development, Society for Human Resource Management, Public Sector HR Association, and WorldatWork. Visit the Web sites of these organizations to learn more.
- Accountants
- Agricultural Consultants
- Arbitrators
- Artificial Intelligence Auditors
- Artificial Intelligence Ethicists
- Artificial Intelligence Prompt Engineers
- Artificial Intelligence Trainers
- Auditors
- Automotive Dealership Owners
- Bank Examiners
- Billing Clerks
- Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
- Brand Strategists
- Budget Analysts
- Business Continuity Planners
- Business Development Managers and Directors
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Business Managers
- Buyers
- Career and Employment Counselors
- Career and Employment Technicians
- Chief Customer Officers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Chief Medical Officers
- Chief Restructuring Officers
- Chief Revenue Officers
- Chief Robotics Officer
- Chief Strategy Officers
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Chief Trust Officers
- Client Services Managers
- Collection Workers
- Community Health Program Coordinators
- Compliance Managers
- Continuous Improvement Managers
- Contract Administrators
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Corporate Community Relations Directors
- Corporate Lawyers
- Corporate Librarians
- Cost Estimators
- Cultural Advisers
- Customer Service Directors
- Customer Service Representatives
- Customer Success Managers
- Customs Brokers
- Data Entry Clerks
- Data Governance Managers
- Data Scientists
- Database Specialists
- Decision Scientists
- Digital Workplace Experience Engineers
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Directors of Security
- Directors of Volunteers
- Document Management Specialists
- Economists
- Employment Firm Workers
- Energy Consultants
- Entrepreneurs
- Environmental Consultants
- Ergonomists
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Event Planners
- Executive Recruiters
- Fashion Models' Agents
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Consultants
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Forensic Accountants and Auditors
- Franchise Owners
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Go-to-Market Managers
- Health Care Consultants
- Health Care Managers
- Health Club Owners and Managers
- Health Data Analysts
- Human Resources Consultants
- Human Resources Managers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Technology Consultants
- Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers
- Information Technology Security Consultants
- Internet Consultants
- Internet Executives
- Internet Marketing and Advertising Consultants
- Internet Store Managers and Entrepreneurs
- Internet Transaction Specialists
- Labor Union Business Agents
- Learning Innovations Designers
- Legal Operations Specialists
- Life Coaches
- Localization Specialists
- Loss Prevention Managers
- Management Analysts and Consultants
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Military Recruiters
- Music Agents and Scouts
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- Office Administrators
- Payroll Directors
- Personnel and Labor Relations Specialists
- Political Consultants
- Press Secretaries
- Product Designers
- Professional Organizers
- Project Managers
- Proposal Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Purchasing Agents
- Receptionists
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Remote Work Coordinators
- Retail Business Owners
- Retail Managers
- Risk Managers
- Sales Managers
- Sales Representatives
- Secretaries
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Space Port Managers
- Space Tourism Managers
- Statisticians
- Stenographers
- Strategy Managers
- Tax Managers
- Temporary Workers
- Traffic Managers
- Typists and Word Processors
- Wealth Management Risk Managers
- Wealth Management Vice Presidents
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors