Senator Proposes Job Listing Targeting White Males

Senator Ed Markey Encourages Diverse Applicants for Internships

On Wednesday, Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, shared a job listing on X from his Boston office. He is actively encouraging applications from “BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working class, and other underrepresented candidates.”

Markey, who has long stood for diversity and inclusion initiatives, particularly under the current Biden-Harris administration, has issued a call for certain social groups to apply for internships set to begin in fall 2025. Importantly, he did not indicate that the outreach was against white or male candidates.

“We are looking for enthusiastic interns for the fall of 2025 at our Boston office. Applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working class, and other underrepresented individuals with ties to Massachusetts are especially encouraged,” he noted in his post.

Markey’s website outlines that applicants should possess an undergraduate or an associate degree. Candidates are expected to be “self-starters” with strong writing, research, and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they should be capable of working independently while also collaborating well with others. His role description includes a mention that “veterans” are also encouraged to apply, though this detail wasn’t highlighted in the social media announcement.

The website emphasizes that the office aims to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on various factors including race, religion, or gender. A strong recommendation is made for candidates from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working-class, or other underrepresented communities with connections to Massachusetts.

Since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in 2017, companies like Goldman Sachs have taken steps to adjust their hiring practices, notably moving away from prioritizing white and male candidates. Earlier this year, Goldman Sachs announced the discontinuation of a policy requiring public disclosure of a minimum number of female board members within U.S. or Western European companies. Other corporations, including Target, Walmart, and Boeing, have adopted similar measures while some, like Costco, have continued forward despite public pushback.