At the Missouri Western State University Career Development Center we are committed to a safe and open space for Griffons who identify as LGTBQ. When transitioning to an internship or full-time job, you may have questions such as:

• Should I be out at work?
• When is a good time to out myself or disclose my gender identity to my employer?
• How do I know if an environment is safe and inclusive?
• Are there going to be other people who identify as LGBTQ in my new community? How can I find them?
• Will my new company offer partner benefits?
• What is the company culture? Do they value differences in sexual orientation or gender identity/expression?

The Career Development Center is happy to discuss anything and everything related to helping you prepare to life beyond college. Please contact us at (816) 271-4292 to make an appointment. Please note that we offer confidential phone appointments if you cannot or prefer not to attend an appointment in our office.

Campus Resources

Center for Multicultural Education: Located in the Blum Student Union, the purpose of the Center for Multicultural Education is to educate the campus and St. Joseph community by creating diversity and inclusion initiatives to support and advocate for marginalized populations of students, faculty, and staff.

Researching Companies and Networking

Pride @ Work: Organizes state and local events around the country to promote mutual support between the organized Labor Movement and LGBTQ community for social and economic justice.

Out Professionals: Networking group of over 1,000 members and 4,500 email subscribers from different work backgrounds and 600 different companies. Connect with potential mentors and grow your social network.

Federal Global: Washington D.C. based professional LGBTQ group for federal government employees. Provides contact information for prominent LGBTQ government employees.

Human Rights Campaign: America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. The Corporate Equality Index includes a searchable database for employment policies and practices pertaining to LGBTQ employees. Also reviews corporate medical benefits from a transgender inclusive perspective. “Your Stories” highlights stories from LGBTQ persons in the workplace.

Job Search Resources:

DiversityInc Jobs: Job postings from companies specifically searching for diverse candidates.

LGBT Career Link: Job posting site highlighting opportunities for LGBTQ people.

Out Professionals: Leading LGBTQ networking site with a fairly extensive LGBT-centered job bank.

Novoresume: Resume building advice and 55 LGBTQ+ Job Search & Career Resources.

Advocacy and Community Resources:

Coming Out at Work from the Human Rights Campaign: Guide from the Human Rights Campaign to consider whether or not you want to come out at work.

Lambda Legal: National organization aimed at achieving full recognition of civil rights for GLBTQ individuals.

The Pipeline Project: The Pipeline Project’s goals are to produce programs and engage in activities that together represent a long-term effort to increase the number of people of color working within the nation’s LGBT rights, service and advocacy center.

Pride @ Work: Organizes state and local events around the country to promote mutual support between the organized Labor Movement and LGBTQ community for social and economic justice.

Diversity in the Workplace: A magazine highlighting diversity related news, top 50 employers, workplace issues and professional development opportunities. Addresses multiple minority groups (African Americans, Asian-Americans, Latin Americans, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, etc.). Free subscription with a .edu email address.