MVCC’s Career Development Center is committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ students and alumni throughout their career journey. LGBTQIA+ students and alumni often experience unique challenges in the job market and within different work cultures. As an LGBTQIA+ student, professional, and potential employee, your collective experiences bring unique assets and strengths into the work culture. How have challenges you’ve overcome or your nuanced understanding of your identity resulted in skills or qualities you can offer to your future employer?

The Career Development Center provides support through:

• creating a safe and inclusive career resource center to support LGBTQ+ students and alumni throughout their career journey
• one-one-one career counseling, mock interviews, and resume/LinkedIn development
• curated resources for navigating the workplace

Some unique concerns that LGBTQIA+ students and alumni have conveyed include: 

• hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity at work
• expectations with respect to attire and expression at work
• being the only or one of a few LGBTQIA+ employees
• state and local laws which may or may not prohibit discrimination
• transgender healthcare coverage and medical benefits for same-sex partners
• how to deal with unconscious bias and stereotyping or hostile work environments throughout their career

Resources

Read on to learn how to address these concerns and how to navigate the job market as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Employment Trends 

Corporate Equality Index 2023-2024 - Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org): Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.

Career Development Resources 

• LGBTQ Workplace Resource Guide: Help navigating the world of work as a member of the LGBTQ+ community — from assistance with the interview process to finding a welcoming, inclusive work culture, information on discrimination on the job, and more.
• Gender Neutral Guide: What to Wear for an Interview: Help choosing the right outfit to feel like your best, genuine and most confident self. 
• Coming Out at Work: What to consider before coming out at work.

Trans-Specific Resources 

• Transgender Law Center: Legal information help desk.
• Trans Can Work: Creating a culture where gender diverse people can thrive on the job.

Job Search Platforms

• Out Professional Network
• LGBT Connect
• Out and Equal

Professional Organizations and other resources:

• American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
• Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
• GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders
• Lambda Legal
• National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA)
• National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
• National LGBTQ Taskforce
• National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)
• Out Professionals — Gay and Lesbian Networking
• Pride at Work: AFL-CIO
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

More MVCC LGBTQ+ Resources: 

At Mohawk Valley Community College, we strive to make our college community welcoming, affirming, and inclusive for all. Here you will find a wide variety of resources, including information on housing, restrooms, trainings, allies on campus, and local/off-campus resources.