Dimensions of Diversity

Internal Dimensions

• Race: Multiracial
• Ethnicity:
• Physical Ability:  average since knee injury
• Sexual Orientation: heterosexual
• Gender: Female
• Age: 20

External Dimensions:

• Geographic Location (where are you from) : P-au-P, Haiti
• Income: 0
• Personal Habits (smoker, exercise nut, partier,studious, etc.): exercise nut, studious, partier
• Recreational Habits (sports, music, arts, movies, etc.): writing, art, sports, music
• Religion/Spirituality/Atheist: catholic
• Educational Background: french system: high-school diploma, bachelor candidate
• Work Experience: assistant at a refrigeration company

Reflection : 

As human beings we are exposed to various components such as cultures, art, languages and many more. These components are what makes each individual unique and can influence your path in life. Being born and raised in a multiracial country as helped me understand different groups and taught me adaptability. Haiti is a country that has had American, French, and Spanish influence. Coincidently, I speak French, Creole, Spanish, and English. Being exposed to a melting pot environment has helped me develop the skills of learning fast, the value of hard work, and adaptability. These 3 factors are very important in the hospitality industry. Not everyone has that ability to adapt or wants to adapt. The hospitality world is an ever changing industry, that only moves forward. It is exposed to not only different trends, but works with people from different backgrounds. Being able to speak several languages is very useful strength. In the work force one of the most common barriers is language. In my list of goals, I mentioned that I would like to work in the HR department. Being multilingual can help me minimize of the many barriers that a human resources director faces. Some of the departments that have been getting my attention are HRM or housekeeping manager. In my opinion I have some knowledge for housekeeping or HRM. This knowledge comes from growing up in a household with maids. I knew all the procedures of how to hire the right maids for the rights tasks. In my household we had different people for different task such as cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. Every time my mother would interview them, I would always be there to watch and learn. Besides hiring, training and guiding them was a step that I also learned. We had to teach them the rules of the house and also see what were their skills. So I believe that this little knowledge that I have may help me enter the HRM or housekeeping world. Growing up in such an environment gives an edge in my career.

From an internal dimension point of view, my family comes from different backgrounds. From my father’s side, we are mixed with French, Chinese, and Haitian. While on my mother’s side we are mixed with German, Spanish and Haitian.

As for my educational background, I was brought up and educated in the French system. The French system is very strict and hard. They like perfection and hate procrastination. They want their students to be responsible for their work and value it. Being raised in an environment where discipline is deeply valued by my parents and my school, I was taught to complete work ahead of time and that tardiness is very disrespectful. Completing work ahead of time and being on time is very important in the work force. These characteristics will help me project a professional image of myself and help me lead.

To put it in a nutshell, from a young age to now we are exposed to certain factors that influence our personality and shape us. Your educational background, your age, your religion, your race, or even your physical ability plays a role in your life and attitude. It is up to you to notice that these factors are advantages and that they can help you create your path.