Corporate
Amy Belmaggio: Military Experience is as Good as a College Degree
11/9/2022
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Three significant words often strung together with the power to shape a stronger company culture and workplace environment for all.
At Samsung, it’s part of our company’s heritage to push boundaries and defy barriers to achieve meaningful progress and power bold innovation. But innovation doesn’t just happen — it is designed by humans for humans. And a critical ingredient is our inclusive culture and diverse workforce. Our company is made up of nearly 270,000 people around the world of different ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, religious beliefs, and abilities. But together, we’re ONE global team united by Samsung’s purpose and values.
Action is another noteworthy word. Samsung is continuing to make progress on our journey towards driving meaningful change. And we want to spotlight the DE&I champions within our organization that have been and continue to be instrumental in enabling us to make an impact and helping to create a rich sense of belonging where everyone can thrive.
1. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) mean to you, both personally and professionally?
When I was younger, I grew up on the less privileged side of town and only had my brothers and other boys in my neighborhood to play with. My brothers told me that I could do everything they could and always included me. I sometimes out boxed them, out bench-pressed them, and out-ran them. That inclusion my brothers gave me was inherent. I didn’t know any different – and I still don’t. Professionally, I have my work brothers and sisters who tell me what my siblings did back then, that I can do everything that they can do…if I want to.
2. What has been your greatest learning or most exciting experience in your career journey as it relates to DE&I?
Joining the Samsung Veterans employee resource group (ERG) has been a career highlight given the platform we have to build and enhance the lives of other Veterans. For example, Human Resources was willing to listen to our ideas when we approached them about expanding employment opportunities for Veterans. One idea was to broaden job descriptions of our requisitions to allow military experience to be in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. Adding that to job descriptions gives hope to other transitioning veterans that they are just as good, if not better, than someone with a degree. It gives them an opportunity to apply for positions they never believed they were eligible for.