Earlier this semester, the Center for Career Development’s student leaders hosted an event, “Code-Switching & the Workplace,” at the Howard Thurman Center. We are excited to share some photos, highlights, and takeaways from this event with the BU community!
This event’s media, research, and content were produced and thoughtfully curated by POC student leaders, in keeping with the CCD’s dedication to promoting career equity and inclusion.
Our event centered on a conversation about unpacking professionalism, navigating workplace culture, and the negative implications of code-switching. We planned for this event to feature multiple components, including a community-building exercise, a slideshow presentation, and a panel discussion. This event provided a space for attendees to unpack, confront, and challenge these topics while advocating for authenticity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging in the workplace.
Our community-building exercise, led by JAKE Small (Director of Strategic Alliances at Leadership Brainery), asked attendees to reflect on the different ways we answer the question “Who are you?”, highlighting how self-representation can vary naturally, without compromising authenticity.
The exercise was followed by a slideshow presentation by two student leaders, where the act of code-switching was defined as “cultural code-switching that involves the suppression of multiple aspects of one’s cultural identity, which can include the type of clothing worn, hairstyle, speech, or behavior. …In the broadest sense, code-switching involves adapting the presentation of oneself in ways that disconnect them from the cultural or racial stereotypes of their group,” derived from an article by Dr. Kyaien O. Conner.
Our student leaders discussed how code-switching as a workplace strategy negatively impacts BIPOC professionals. It discriminatorily could be the difference between upward professional mobility and not being valued in the workplace. Such adverse effects emerge from a prevalent workplace culture that discriminates against diversity in cultural expression.
Statistics show that among professionals, “Black employees, Hispanic employees, workers who have felt discrimination and younger workers (ages 18-34) are among the most likely to have code-switched at work. (Harris Poll, December, 2023).” The act of code-switching can appear as early as the job application process. An example is wearing a black and white suit to a job interview instead of a traditional garment, or something more representative of one’s identity. While the type of clothing worn does not make one more or less capable or qualified for a role, it’s unfortunate how much one is judged based on such details during the job application process.
After the presentation, we hosted a panel discussion featuring Marcus Shaw (Mental Health Worker at the Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center; Academic Advisor in BU Sociology and African American and Black Diaspora studies; MSW candidate at BU School of Social Work), Denzel Samuel (MBA Candidate at BU Questrom School of Business), and Malvi Khandelwal (PhD student in Sargent College’s Speech Language and Hearing Sciences program). Our panelists represented various professional spheres, including academic advising, doctoral & professional studies, community engagement, and investment management. They shared insights on navigating workplace settings, advocating for oneself in professional contexts, and leading with authenticity at the forefront of their work.
We are excited by the opportunity to continue to host conversations & events around important career topics. Equity & Inclusion are at the center of the CCD’s work. We take seriously our commitment to inclusivity within the BU community, ensuring that all identities, viewpoints, and career goals are valued and supported. Thank you for participating in events like these – we look forward to welcoming you to the CCD and future CCD programs and events.
JAKE Small is a justice-driven researcher, nonprofit leader, and advocate. He has nearly a decade of experience in education leadership and consulting. He supports professionals at every level of seniority and companies across every industry to operationalize justice and build truly emancipatory policies, practices, and attitudes. He is passionate about advancing education equity and serves as the inaugural Director of Strategic Alliances at Leadership Brainery, a nonprofit addressing the access gap for underrepresented communities to achieve advanced degrees. His personal research focuses on the academic and professional success outcomes of Black boys and men in the United States. JAKE draws personal inspiration for this work from his three nephews, James, Aaron, and Justin, all under the age of ten.
Marcus Shaw descends from Jamaican and Panamanian grandparents and grew up as a military brat living in Massachusetts, California, and Maryland. He received his bachelor’s in African, African American Studies from Dartmouth College in 2020. Since graduating, Marcus has pursued his purpose of helping people live their ideal lives through his work as a Mental Health Worker at the Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center, as an Academic Advisor in BU Sociology and African American and Black Diaspora studies, and as a MSW candidate at BU School of Social Work. Marcus is also interested in wellness in many contexts.
Denzel Samuel is a community-minded, data-driven, finance-focused business professional. Currently an MBA Candidate at Boston University Questrom School of Business, leading, learning, and assuring are the skills he brings into every environment he has the opportunity to take part in 2023-2024 City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s Spark Council member, experienced finance professional, and a graduate of Bentley University with a double major in Finance and American History. The greatest lesson I ever learned is that a great life is one created by passion and driven by hard work. Sustaining my colleagues in the workplace, volunteering in my community as a citizen, and helping those less fortunate than me achieve success have inspired me every single day. Leading, learning, and assuring are skills I use to execute excellence.
Malvi Khandelwal is a first-year PhD student in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences program. She graduated from Boston University in May 2023, with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She works at the Bilingual Learning Lab and her research focuses on language and cognitive development in bilingual children with and without language disorders.
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