The Hispanic and Latinx population is underrepresented in many industries — especially in STEM fields — which means that finding qualified and engaged talent can be challenging. In fact, while Hispanic workers make up 17% of the workforce overall, just 8% work in science, tech, math, or engineering. Plus, a smaller share of Hispanic college students are graduating with STEM degrees than the overall population of those in higher education. And it’s not just STEM. Hispanic and Latinx workers are also underrepresented in most high-growth fields today.
Fortunately, there are professional organizations out there trying to change the narrative for Hispanic and Latinx talent, and helping them realize their potential and connect with top jobs in high-demand fields. And by partnering with these organizations, companies today can gain access to a diverse and untapped candidate pool early on, attend recruitment events and job fairs, and sponsor events to demonstrate their commitment to D&I. To help you get started on enhancing your diversity recruiting strategy, here are 8 professional organizations you should consider partnering with:
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
SHPE is the nation’s largest association that fosters Hispanic leadership in the STEM field. The organization provides professional development resources, networking opportunities, and college scholarships to empower the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. Learn more about the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers here.
Techqueria
Type: Professional
Techqueria is a non-profit that serves the largest global community of Latinx professionals in the tech industry. With over 18,000 members and allies, Techqueria empowers Latinx leaders in tech nationally through the support of local chapter initiatives and digital members spread across the United States. The group’s mission is to give Hispanic and Latinx professionals the resources and support they need to drive their careers and enable them to thrive and become leaders in the tech industry. Learn more about Techqueria here.
MAES – Latinos in Science and Engineering
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
Founded in Los Angeles in 1974 to increase the number of Mexican Americans and other Hispanics in the technical and scientific fields, MAES continues its mission in the present day by providing student scholarships, mentoring programs, fellowships, and career support. The organization has since grown to promote, cultivate, and advance representation of Latinx leadership and education in STEM. To learn more about MAES – Latinos in Science and Engineering, click here.
TechLatino
Type: Professional
A premier national community for Latinx technology professionals, businesses, and students, TechLatino: Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) empowers and advances Latino engagement within the science and technology fields. With over 8,000 chapter members across 15 chapters, the group provides career advocacy and professional development opportunities to help its members succeed in the tech industry. Learn more about TechLatino here.
Latinas in Tech
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
Launched in 2014 in Silicon Valley, Latinas in Tech is a global organization that promotes and supports the advancement of female Latinx professionals in the tech industry. The organization aims to create a tech industry where Latinx women are well-represented throughout all levels of the ecosystem by empowering them to be innovators and leaders. Through local chapters across major cities, entrepreneurship and mentorship programs, and a growing network, Latinas in Tech is helping to close the female Latinx gap in tech. Learn more about Latinas in Tech here.
Latinitas
Type: Pre-collegiate
Latinitas is a non-profit 501c(3) organization focused on empowering girls to innovate through media and technology. Latinitas works to bridge the gender and digital divide by offering year-round opportunities for girls to express themselves creatively through digital media and technology enrichment activities that explore identity, culture, and gender. With girl-oriented camps, after-school programs, mentor projects, and workshops focused on fostering positive self-esteem, the Latinitas team is helping to build a new generation of empowered Latinx leaders. Learn more about Latinitas here.
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA)
Type: Professional, collegiate
Since 1972, the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) has been the largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Hispanic professionals in finance and accounting. ALPFA has nearly 100,000 members across 41 professional chapters across the United States. Its Network provides educational development opportunities, career advancement and placement, mentorship, and professional development services to its members. Learn more about ALPFA here.
Latina Geeks
Type: Professional
Latina Geeks is a Hispanic and Latinx-focused organization with chapters across the western United States supporting the advancement of Latinas in tech. Established in 2012, the non-profit provides resources to propel Latinx women by educating and empowering them through technical knowledge, business skills, and entrepreneurship resources through hands-on workshops, strategic partnerships, and community events. Learn more about Latina Geeks here.
By partnering with Latinx and Hispanic-focused career development organizations, companies can break down barriers to entry, open up new pathways for growth, and provide access to talent pools that are often overlooked. To reach a diverse pool of talent and recruit Gen Z, you will also want to consider what recruiting software you can leverage to reach students from different backgrounds, such as RippleMatch. Armed with these organizations and the tools to recruit from a wider range of schools, you can help your team meet its D&I goals and expose more promising talent to your opportunities.
