The perspectives and experiences that LGBTQ+ folks bring to an organization are plainly valuable, though their transition to the workplace and encounters with professional development can be discouraging because acceptance of LGBTQ+ people still varies by organization and community. Students and alumni will find below a range of on-campus and external resources and information to help them through their search for a meaningful co-op and career and with acclimating to the workplace.
Support at Wentworth
Everyone brings their own story, skills, and interests to their job search and as employees. However, LGBTQ+ students and alumni often come to us with similar questions and concerns about their search for work and transition to the workplace. LGBTQ+ students and alumni may need support with disclosing their gender identity or pronouns, addressing workplace harassment and discrimination, and building a supportive professional community. Additionally, laws protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ employees are not universal and fluctuate by state and country.
Your Co-op & Career Advisor is available by appointment to provide advice and support about gender identity and/or sexual orientation specific to your co-op or job search, workplace dynamics, and professional development.
Talk with us about
- Finding an LGBTQ+ friendly employer.
- Leveraging your connections in the LGBTQ+ community to find a job.
- Finding employee resource groups.
- If, when, and how to come out to your colleagues.
- How and when to disclose your pronouns.
- Filling out forms with binary genders if you identify as non-binary.
- Filling out forms asking for legal name if you go by your preferred name.
- Addressing workplace and interview discrimination and harassment regarding your gender identity or sexual orientation.
On campus
The main on-campus resource for LGBTQ+ students is the The Center for Diversity and Global Engagement. Check out their website for office hours, upcoming events, and resources.
In addition, we recommend students get involved with Queer Leopard Alliance, the student run campus club focused on creating an atmosphere of acceptance at Wentworth. More information including up-to-date meeting times and locations can be found on Leopard Spot.
Resources
Career and Employment
Out & Equal
Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ workplace equality. Through their worldwide programs, Fortune 500 partnerships and annual Workplace Summit conference, they help LGBTQ people thrive and support organizations creating a culture of belonging for all.
Human Rights Coalition
The HRC is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans.
Transgender Map
Information about work transition for transsexual and transgender people.
LGBTQ Workplace Resource Guide and Company List
Find information about LGBTQ+ employee rights by state and a collection of resources and considerations to help you find inclusive companies, get comfortable with the interview process, and come out at work.
Frequently Asked Questions for Trans Job Seekers developed by Rochester Institute of Technology
This collection of FAQ’s is designed to help transgender and gender non-conforming individuals navigate a co-op or full-time job search, career change, or in seeking a promotion.
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC)
Organization working on trans-rights that serves as a community resource especially with regards to employment.
Useful Articles:
Job Searching While LGBTQ: How to Find a Truly Inclusive Place to Work
Practical Advice for Transgender and Nonbinary Folks Navigating the Job Search
Co-op and Job Search
Corporate Equity Index (CEI)
This annual report from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices and the primary driving force for LGBTQ workplace inclusion. Data from the CEI tells the story of nearly two decades of year over year growth in the adoption of these critical policies and practices indicative of employers’ commitment to equality.
Diversityworking.com
Job search engine for LGBTQ+ jobseekers.
Pink Jobs
Find LGBTQ+ co-ops and jobs or candidates as an employer.
Out In Tech
Job board run by Out in Tech, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that unites the LGBTQ+ tech community.
Networking Organizations and Professional Associations
National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)
NOGLSTP educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses.
Out Professionals
The nation’s leading LGBTQ networking organization
Pride In Our Workplace
LGBTQ+ Networking and Resources for Professionals
Out for Undergrad (O4U):
Each year, O4U invites a diverse class of high-achieving LGBTQ+ students to four unique conferences where they are inspired to pursue ambitious careers.
Legal Support
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
Snapshot: LGBTQ+ Equality By State
This map shows the number of laws and policies within each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories that help drive equality for LGBTQ people.
National Center for Transgender Equality
The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.
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