Looking back at everything we covered in this class I think the most important thing I learned was how much unconscious bias can affect the way people are hired. I had always known bias was a thing but I didn’t realize how deep it runs or how easy it is for even well meaning people to make unfair decisions without realizing it. The lesson that stuck with me the most was when we talked about implicit bias in the recruitment and selection process and how things like someone’s name or voice or even where they went to school can unfairly influence how we view them as a candidate. I thought the Implicit Attitude Test was eye opening. It showed how we all have hidden biases, even if we try really hard to be fair. The problem is that those small biases can build up across a company or an industry, and they can shut out great people who just didn’t fit the traditional mold. That’s not just unfair it also means we miss out on talented, creative, hardworking individuals who could make companies better. This stood out to me because I want to work in management and that means I’ll probably be part of the hiring process. It made me realize how important it is to have checks in place to make sure decisions are really based on skill and potential, not on gut feelings or first impressions. Now I know that structured interviews, blind resume reviews, and clear rubrics are tools that can help reduce bias. Before this class I wouldn’t have thought much about those things, but now I see how necessary they are. What I liked most about this lesson is that it made me think about fairness in a new way. It’s not just about treating people equally, it’s about making sure the whole system gives everyone a fair shot. That’s something I’ll carry with me into any job I have. No one should be overlooked because of their background and it’s up to managers and teams to take steps to prevent that from happening. This was the most important thing I learned and I know it’ll shape how I think about hiring in the future.