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Nortel is building a diverse workforce from the top down, supported by employee diversity business councils co-sponsored by its corporate leaders.
“It is diversity, whether related to gender, age, ethnicity, physical capabilities, educational background or religion, that not only makes the world an interesting place, but also brings into the company different perspectives to challenges and opportunities,” says John Roese, Nortel’s chief technology officer. “That’s why we work hard to hire new engineering graduates who will bring to the table different points of view that ultimately result in better products, systems and solutions for our very diverse customer base.”
Nortel employs 31,500 people in more than seventy countries. The company delivers telecommunication network infrastructure solutions that include optical, voice and wireless technologies to customers in more than 150 countries.
In 2008 Nortel is looking to add 650 new graduates to its ranks, with 85 to 90 percent of those hires in engineering, says Rachele Cook, university relations specialist. Most of them will work in R&D in company locations like Ottawa and Montreal, Canada; Boston, MA; Richardson, TX; Research Triangle Park, NC; and Santa Clara, CA. Most candidates should have degrees in EE, CS, software engineering and computer engineering.
In IT the company needs about forty new grads, says Patti Judd, a portfolio manager in corporate services solutions. Jobs in the company’s application services function involve work with ERP solutions and an understanding of database technologies. To work in the technology services area, candidates need expertise in network design, IT security and monitoring. “We’re looking for good communication skills, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn and fresh ideas.” Judd says.
Nortel offers a two-year leadership development rotation program for new grads that exposes participants to R&D, human resources and global operations.
Robin Smith is leader of global diversity and inclusion for Nortel. She came into her current position in 2005, about the same time Mike Zafirovski was hired as president and chief executive officer.
“I was able to work with the new leadership team to create new diversity and inclusion strategies,” says Smith. “The first thing we did was create our diversity business councils.” There are six, she reports, focused on women, blacks, Latinos, Asians, the GLBT community and people with disabilities.
Zafirovski, who moved from Macedonia to the U.S. when he was fifteen, is sensitive to the importance of diversity. “I am passionately committed to transforming Nortel into a world-class networking and innovation company. In achieving that transformation one of our biggest priorities is developing our people and building winning teams. We need to leverage the range of thoughts, opinions and creativity that our employees around the globe bring to work everyday,” he says.
The councils are open to all, and newly hired employees are invited to participate in networking, mentoring and professional development activities. Those often involve the opportunity to meet Nortel corporate leaders. Zafirovski, for instance, recently met with 150 members of the diversity business councils at the company’s Richardson, TX location. He discussed the importance of diversity and then opened the floor for an informal question and answer session.
The business councils help with recruiting through their outreach to organizations like HENAAC, and their attendance at career fairs at minority-serving colleges and universities.
Nortel recently launched a Web-based resource for young people and others, dubbed “LearniT” (www.learnit.org). The program offers tools for students, parents, educators and more, and emphasizes the career and personal opportunities that technology offers. Some content is available in several languages.
“It can be used by teachers, scouting leaders, Boys and Girls Clubs or any organization that works with children,” Smith notes. “It’s a great way to demonstrate the use of technology in everyday activities.” Members of the black business council are using Learn-iT with students at Hillside High, a primarily African American school in Durham, NC.
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www.nortel.com
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Headquarters: |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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Employees: |
31,500 |
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Revenues: |
$11.4 billion |
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Business: |
Development and delivery of telecommunication network infrastructure solutions that include optical, wireless and voice technologies |
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