Berlin, 07/12/2024

Bertelsmann At The Sticks & Stones Career Fair

Sticks & Stones is Europe’s biggest career fair for LGBTIQ+-friendly companies. This year, “be.queer”, Bertelsmann’s cross-divisional queer employee network, and the Group companies Arvato Systems, BMG, Penguin Random House, Riverty, RTL, UFA, and We are Era were represented at the fair. “be.queer” has had a presence at Sticks & Stones since 2019.

In June, “be.queer”, Bertelsmann’s cross-divisional queer employee network, and the Group companies Arvato Systems, BMG, Penguin Random House, Riverty, RTL, UFA, and We are Era were represented at the Sticks & Stones career fair in Berlin. The renowned event, Europe’s biggest career fair for LGBTIQ+-friendly companies, offers a unique opportunity for bringing together emerging talents and queer-friendly employers.

Since its foundation in 2009, Sticks & Stones has become a pioneering job and career festival. The fair provides a platform where experts can present their skills. But it goes beyond pure career opportunities; it also offers a safe space for connecting, networking, learning and chilling. Inspiring speakers discuss trends in the working world and topical issues in the queer community. Bertelsmann’s “be.queer” has had a presence at Sticks & Stones since 2019. In January, “be.queer” also celebrated its debut at Sticks & Stones in Cologne, where it also set an example for diversity and inclusion.

“Bertelsmann’s regular representation through ‘be.queer’ is an appreciation of our commitment to a queer-inclusive corporate culture,” said Michael Lauk of Riverty and First Chair of “be.queer”. “On the other hand, it is an authentic symbol of the fact that diversity is not only supported but also lived as an important pillar of values throughout the Group.” This year, the representatives of “be.queer” and the various Bertelsmann companies once again had many exciting conversations with interested visitors at the fair. They were particularly impressed by the fact that people from the queer community represented the company and were therefore able to provide authentic insights. “Diversity is the key to creativity and innovation”, said Michael Lauk, and he continued: “I am delighted that Bertelsmann is also using this fair to look for talented and diverse personalities.”