Students of Color
You bring a variety of strengths to the workforce including cultural insight and awareness, creativity, innovation, community engagement, and resilience.
These strengths, developed through your unique life experiences, can contribute positively to your career and the industries you choose to join.
At the same time, you may face specific challenges in your career planning and search process due to cultural differences, bias, and systemic inequities. These may be compounded by your intersecting identities.
Below are some recommendations to help you identify opportunities, advocate for yourself, and strive to overcome these challenges:
Connect with alumni of similar identities as you
They can offer guidance and support while also potentially connecting you to opportunities.
Join registered student organizations or professional associations connected to your identity and professional aspirations
- Registered Student Organizations: One Illinois
- Professional Association Finder
- Many professional associations offer certifications, networking events, identity-based committees, and internships/job boards.
Seek out paid employment and internships. Look for programs specifically designed to support students of color
* Sometimes students do not accept unpaid internships due to financial constraints creating a systemic barrier. If you find a great opportunity that is unpaid but offers you the skills and mentorship you need, consider applying for the Bailey Scholarship through the University YMCA. It provides scholarships to students completing an unpaid internship.
Confidently assert your identity, personal strengths, and achievements throughout the recruitment, selection, hiring, and negotiation process.
You add value to any space that you choose to inhabit.
- Reframing Imposter Syndrome (5min video) and Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (Forbes.com Article)
- Tips on Communicating Your Accomplishments
- Salary and Offer Negotiation
Determine how you want to handle bias and microaggressions
- Dress and hair style is deeply personal and often a reflection of your culture. Although this is unfair, it can be viewed as “unprofessional” by the dominant culture. Talk with your trusted social network, connect with alumni and professionals in your field, and decide what is authentic and professional for you.
- You may encounter bias, stereotypes, and microaggressions in academia and workplace settings. It is important for you to know your rights, the choices that may be available to respond to the incident, and who you may want to go to for support.
- Workplace Rights (from U.S. Department of Labor)
- Advice on responding to bias and microaggressions at work (from Harvard Business Review)
- Advice on responding to discrimination in the workplace (from FindLaw.com)