Diversity
Our Approach
". . . For us to be successful, our men and women must reflect the diversity of the communities and cultures in which we operate. That means we must attract, retain and motivate people from many backgrounds and perspectives. Being diverse is not optional; it is what we must be."
- From Goldman Sachs Business Principle #7
Goldman Sachs is constantly striving towards a more diverse workplace, both for the benefit of the firm and in order to more successfully meet the needs of our clients. Our extensive diversity efforts include:
- Partnering with numerous organizations to promote diversity beyond the boundaries of the firm
- Increasing our commitment to recruiting women, students from historically under-represented groups and those with disabilities
- Seeking candidates from a broad array of academic disciplines and concentrations, such as liberal arts, applied math, sciences and engineering
- Initiating and managing programs, internships and scholarships designed to increase awareness of the firm and our industry
Partnerships and Conferences
Here is our current roster of partnerships.
Americas
85 Broads – Broad Advantage
A Better Chance
American Indian Science & Engineering Society
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting
Catalyst
Center for Talented Youth
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
Financial Women's Association
Forte Foundation
Hispanic Association for Career Enhancement
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
INROADS
Jack and Jill
Jackie Robinson Foundation
JR Achievement
LEAD Program in Business
LIME Connect
Management Leadership 4 Tomorrow
MBA Jumpstart
National Association of Black Accountants
National Association of Women MBAs
National Black MBA Association
National Business and Disabilities Council
National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship
National Hispanic Business Association
National Society of Black Engineers
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
New American Alliance
New Jersey SEEDS
New York Times College Sponsorship Program
Out for Undergraduate Business Conference
Out for Work
PhD Project
Point Foundation
Prep for Prep
Reaching Out MBA
Robert A. Toigo Foundation
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
The Posse Foundation
Youth About Business
Europe
AC Diversity
African Caribbean Finance Forum
Blind in Business
The Brokerage
Capital Chances (Out in the City, Technology Chances, Invest in Your Future)
Employabilty
Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Prospects
Employers' Forum on Disability
Gifted Entrepreneurs Programme
Group to Encourage Ethnic Minority Applicants – GEEMA
Opportunity Now
Oxford Access Scheme
Parents at Work
Prospects
Pure Potential
Race for Opportunity
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
Stonewall
UK Career Academy
Internships and Scholarships
Americas
Scholarship for Excellence
The Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence Program, established in 1994, is an integral part of our diversity recruiting effort, helping to attract Black, Hispanic and Native American undergraduate students to careers at Goldman Sachs.
Recipients of the scholarship in their sophomore year receive a $5,000 award toward tuition and academic expenses for one year. Students invited to return for a second summer internship are eligible to receive an additional award of $10,000. Recipients in their junior year receive a scholarship award of $10,000. Scholarship recipients also receive an offer for a paid Goldman Sachs summer internship.
Application deadline: Friday, December 12, 2008. View the application checklist [PDF, 90 KB].
MBA Fellowship
The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship, established in 1997, is an integral part of our diversity recruiting effort, helping to attract Black, Hispanic and Native American MBA students to careers at Goldman Sachs. The MBA Fellowship is a reflection of our business principles. It is awarded to recognize outstanding students and the achievements that they have made.
Recipients of the fellowship will receive:
- $15,000 award toward tuition, academic and living expenses for the first year of business school
- A summer internship in a US domestic office that will provide an opportunity to work as a summer associate between the first and second years of business school, offering insight into the investment banking industry, our firm and our culture
Upon successful completion of the summer internship and acceptance of a full time offer, Goldman Sachs will also underwrite tuition costs associated with the second year of business school.
Applications for the MBA Class of 2010 will be available on October 1, 2008. Further information will be posted at a later date.
Europe
Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO)
SEO London, founded in 2001, has brought together leading City banks, including Goldman Sachs, as the principal sponsors of its careers programs. SEO London supports top-calibre undergraduates from ethnic minority backgrounds attempting to gain summer internships at some of the most prestigious firms in the UK financial industry. SEO provides students with extensive training, mentoring and networking services, linking students not only to the firm that they work for but to opportunities and experienced professionals throughout the financial services industry. For more information and to apply, please visit SEO’s website: www.seo-london.com
EmployAbility Internship for Students with Disabilities (EAI)
The Goldman Sachs EmployAbility internship gives first and penultimate year students with disabilities the opportunity to obtain invaluable work experience and gain an insight into the industry. Candidates apply through EmployAbility, but each applicant is assessed against the Goldman Sachs core competencies and selected through the firm’s recruitment process.
Successful candidates are directly hired and completely integrated into one of our established spring or summer internship programs. A firmwide taskforce, including Diversity Recruiting, EmployAbility and Access to Work (a government run organization), ensures that all reasonable adjustments the students require are in place, provides disability awareness training for employees and supports the interns during their internship.
Opportunities are available in various divisions throughout the firm, including but not limited to: Finance (Controllers, Corporate Treasury and Credit), Human Capital Management, Investment Banking, Investment Management, Operations, Securities and Technology.
For more information and to apply, please visit EmployAbility’s website: www.employ-ability.org.uk.
Programs and Mentoring
Pre-University Programs: Americas
GS Scholars
In 1998, Goldman Sachs launched an initiative to work with promising young scholars from historically underrepresented backgrounds to introduce them to the world of business and finance. Many of these students have gone on to hold summer internships and even full time positions with the firm. Each year, our non-profit partners nominate students to apply to the Goldman Sachs Scholars Program at the end of their senior year of high school. Students who are selected as Goldman Sachs Scholars will participate in program initiatives through their sophomore year in college.
Pre-University Programs: Europe
Pre-University Symposia
These programs, based in London, provide an insight into the exciting world of financial services and enable students to meet industry professionals, often from a similar background to themselves, and develop skills to aid their transition from school to university. The day includes an introduction to the City, interactive business case study, CV and presentation skills sessions and informal networking events.
We host two symposia programs each year: A Fresher Perspective is sponsored by the Women’s Network for female students currently in Year 12 and 13, and the Diversify your Perspective program is sponsored by the Asian Professionals and Firmwide Black Networks for students currently in Year 12 and 13. Visit gs.com/careers/campusevents to apply.
Teacher Conference in partnership with the London Central Education Business Alliance
Sponsored by the Firmwide Black Network and Asian Professionals Network
Each year Goldman Sachs hosts a one-day conference for inner city teachers responsible for career education for Year 10 to 13 students. The event introduces the industry sector and career opportunities and outlines what makes a successful candidate. Through interactive sessions and networking opportunities teachers are given a first hand insight into investment banking and provided with extra resources to use in the classroom as part of their career curriculum. Non-profit organizations that work closely with schools to raise university attendance and offer pre-university work experience schemes are also present to give additional support.
For more information and to apply please email: diversityrecruitingteamlondon@gs.com
University: Americas
GS Undergraduate Camp
The Goldman Sachs Undergraduate Camp offers rising sophomores an opportunity to explore the financial services industry and become familiar with the firm’s business, history and culture. This event is open to Black, Hispanic, and Native American students from all majors and disciplines. The 4-day program features divisional overviews, case studies, career workshops and networking with Goldman Sachs business and recruiting professionals.
University: Europe
Introductory Symposium
This one day course introduces students with no prior knowledge of investment banking to the key business areas of the firm through presentations and interactive sessions. Networking opportunities with industry professionals are also built into the tailor-made schedule to allow personal exploration of the diversity and culture of the firm. Following the event participants are encouraged to apply to either first year or internship programs to find out more. Visit gs.com/careers/campusevents to apply.
We host two programs each year:
- Introductory Symposium for Women, sponsored by the Women’s Network
- Diversity Introductory Symposium, sponsored by the Asian Professionals Network and Firmwide Black Network
Penultimate Year Dinners
These informal dinners, hosted in partnership with our diversity networks, provide penultimate year candidates with the perfect forum to investigate the industry and culture of Goldman Sachs.
Informal conversations with industry professionals, often from a similar background to themselves, provide participants with the opportunity to have questions answered and to be provided with further information about the internship programs and application process. Visit gs.com/careers/campusevents for information regarding upcoming events.
Penultimate Year Receptions
These structured evening events invite penultimate year students who are hoping to undertake an internship to explore Goldman Sachs in greater detail. Prior to an informal networking reception, attendees have the opportunity to direct specific questions to a panel of Goldman Sachs recruiters and professionals. Visit gs.com/careers/campusevents for information regarding upcoming events.
Business School: Americas
GS MBA Camp
The Goldman Sachs MBA Camp is an opportunity for newly admitted Black, Hispanic and Native American MBA students to learn about Goldman Sachs and the financial services industry. The two-day program features overviews of our business lines, case studies, career workshops and networking opportunities with Goldman Sachs professionals. First-year students at all business schools are eligible to apply.
Business School: Europe
European MBA Dinner for Women, Sponsored by the Women’s Network
Goldman Sachs hosts dinners for female students studying at leading European business schools. The dinners provide attendees with an opportunity to meet Goldman Sachs representatives, investigate the industry in more detail and explore internship opportunities at Goldman Sachs. Visit gs.com/careers/campusevents for information regarding upcoming events.
Mentoring Programs
Our formal and informal mentoring programs help introduce newly hired professionals to the firm and guide them in their career development. Many of our mentoring programs include training and evaluation to enhance their value.