Diversity In Action

Corning considers diversity a prime source of strength

A techie at the company can get involved in many fields, including hot areas like life and environmental sciences, display tech and telecom

Corning, an innovation-driven company with research and manufacturing locations around the world, is looking for highly specialized, career-driven people in technology and engineering. There's a special interest in bringing in diverse techies.

Debra Turner, global diversity officer and director of global talent management, notes that diversity affinity groups have been a core of Corning's technology community for more than thirty years, "with specific emphasis on ethnic minorities, especially African Americans, and women.

"Innovation relies on the power of multiple perspectives, talents and ways of thinking, so diversity is key for us," she says.

Turner's role is to expand diversity to a worldwide focus. "With the majority of our revenues generated outside the U.S. and the majority of our employee population residing outside the continental U.S., we've shifted our thinking to create a more inclusive environment for our global workforce.

"We continually set goals to achieve better results," Turner adds. "We want a diverse representation throughout the pipeline and we're striving to increase diversity in our leadership."

Several specific initiatives support the recruiting of diverse techies. "We're one of the founding members of NSBE, and we actively participate in Women of Color in Technology," Turner says. Corning has ongoing relationships with more than half the HBCUs, and is a corporate sponsor of SWE.

Much of the company's recruiting is done through its professional affiliations and relationships with colleges and universities. There's also an active summer intern program, and "We're involved with the GEM graduate program, sponsoring research and tapping into their alumni groups."

Corning, declares Turner, is an absolutely great place for techies to work. "It's an exciting and challenging opportunity to discover innovative solutions to complex scientific problems and then develop them for the market. In turn, our employees' enthusiasm contributes to our commercial success."

The company's diversification, she adds, means that "Within our company a techie can experience numerous fields," including the hot areas of life sciences, environmental products, display technology and telecom.

Despite these good things, location is a deterrent to some prospective employees, Turner admits. Many Corning manufacturing plants are sited in remote locations, and "People accustomed to metropolitan life may not consider this environment supportive of their needs."

On the other hand, there are many very positive benefits to small-town living, Turner notes. Smaller schools offer a better teacher-to-student ratio, the cost of living is lower, the opportunities for community involvement are greater, and the overall quality of life is better.

Corning helps out by sponsoring summer theatre, concerts and other cultural events like an Indian jazz fusion concert put on by the Southern Tier Indian Association, which supports the area's growing Asian population.

Corning has some excellent work/life programs to offer, including a comprehensive benefits package and flexible work schedules ranging from compressed workweeks to job sharing.

The company's U.S. based affinity groups are part of the overall diversity network, looking for opportunities to collaborate and align their goals. And sometimes the affinity work reaches even farther.

"Our Corning Chinese Association," Turner notes, "is actively engaged with our employees in China in community related projects and hosting visitors when they come. I've challenged all our affinity groups to continue to expand and think globally.

"Our network is a rich mixture of diverse nationalities, races, genders and opinions, and diversity continues to be a source of our strength."

D/C