Welcome to a team that values your journey and is committed to your success.

WashU’s Center for Career Engagement is committed to supporting the unique experiences and success of our LGBTQIA+ students. We understand that many Queer and Trans students face additional obstacles when approaching processes related to exploring different careers, searching for internships/jobs and applying to advanced-degree programs. Our goal is to provide the guidance and resources you need to thrive.

As a member of the WashU community, you have access to an array of services designed to help you navigate your academic and career paths effectively:

• Personalized Career Coaching and Planning: Tailored support to help you identify your strengths, explore career options, and plan your future. Make an Appointment with a Career Coach
• Career Assessment: Career coaches offer in-depth assessments and discussion that can help you understand yourself and explore possibilities. Make an Appointment with a Career Coach or get started on your own with Focus2 Career Assessment.
• Skills Training: Seek tools and training to enhance your career readiness, professionalism and skill set. Chat with a coach or create a learning plan using LinkedIn Learning. Click here to sign up for your free LinkedIn Learning account (only available to current students, faculty, and staff).
• Networking Opportunities: Connections to a global community of leaders, recruiters, influencer networks, and WashU alumni. Check our events and view potential mentors in WashUCNX.

Explore our comprehensive Career Resources and Tools, join career communities for targeted support, and engage with our dedicated coaches to make the most of your WashU experience.

Navigating Queer and Trans Career Concerns

When it comes to understanding what jobs are going to be right for you, there are a multitude of different ways you can work on determining your best fit – assessments, working with a career coach, introspective exploration…but outside of finding work you like, or a role that compensates you fairly, it is also important to find a career that shares your values, as well as a job that can allow you to be your most authentic self.

This may be a concern of identity centrality, of comfortability with openness, or alignment of values and purpose – it is important to think about what makes the most sense for you and your journey, and your career coaches are here to help!

How the Center for Career Engagement Can Support

The Center for Career Engagement is dedicated to not only supporting students through their career development and getting to a point of career readiness through a multitude of services, but also in working to provide specialized support where we can. If you are wanting to talk more about career-related concerns to your sexual orientation and gender identity, here are some examples on how we can help (not comprehensive!):

Know Your Rights

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a government agency that is tasked with enforcing laws and regulations relating to employment discrimination. Holistically, this includes discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, familial status, disability, or genetic information. By law, many employers with at least fifteen employees are covered by EEOC-related considerations, which stretch across all forms of work (e.g., hiring and firing, promotion, wages, etc.).

For Queer and Trans employees, this includes discrimination on standards that would not be applicable to their heterosexual, cis-gendered peers. Per the EEOC, “The law forbids sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.”

It is important to note that these rights do not just extend to administrative factors, but also to the work environment as well. This protection includes purposeful misgendering, harassment (e.g., derogatory language, offensive comments, etc.) or anything that can contribute to a hostile work environment.

While the EEOC (linked above) is an excellent resource, there are other resources that specifically support LGBTQIA+ concerns as it relates to employment and relevant protections.

Non-Career Support

For many LGBTQIA+ students and alumni, one’s direct career trajectory and associated concerns are only one part of the puzzle. Throughout WashU, there are numerous offices and organizations that exist to provide support and community, both of which can empower you holistically to take great strides within your career. Check out some of the WashU-related resources below: