Career Adviser in CSN Ashley Bustamante and Coordinator in GSCC Morgan Doherty had been discussing the gaps in programming regarding careers and MSU’s Queer community and how to help fill them. Together, they conceptualized an event that could help better inform Queer students about the transition from college to the workforce.

Doherty is happy to share they didn’t experience too many challenges in getting Careers for Queers, held in the Student Services Building’s Career Exploration Center, off the ground. They added; however, “There are still many obstacles toward finding employment for students with marginalized gender and sexual identities. Students regularly visit the GSCC seeking assistance in searching for jobs where they will be able to work and live safely.”

Both Doherty and Bustamante saw a clear need for an event such as this after hearing from several students requesting support.

“An event like this is crucial because people do not often talk about the Queer experience when it comes to job searching, applying or interviewing, nor even what it’s like once you have the job. We live in a world that discriminates if you include your pronouns on a resume – something so simple that can have your application denied,” says Bustamante.

To help guide the journey and answer some of those questions, the duo invited several Queer and trans recent MSU grads. In discussing their experiences, they’d also be imparting important wisdom about learning how to move into a career with security and authenticity.

Elliot Bennet, a zoology and neurobiology senior, heard about the event from Doherty. Knowing Bennet would be graduating soon, Doherty believed the event would be especially helpful to Bennet, considering one of the panelists would be in their chosen industry.

Bennet shares, “This was very helpful and just comforting to hear that someone who identifies like me has found success in my field of interest. I rarely hear about gender non-conforming biologists/zoologists, which makes me feel like an outcast. Meeting someone who is around my age, working in this field and identifying like me just makes me feel all warm inside. This makes me feel less alone.”

Bennet also says it was helpful to hear about the various resources available to support trans and gender non-conforming people as they enter the workforce.

Unfortunately, support is not something they had yet experienced in the field.

“When I interned at a zoo, they didn’t have gender-neutral spaces. I was given the option of having to choose a gender or go to a space in the basement of a building that I don't work in,” Bennet recalls. “Then it becomes more stressful for me. So, it was helpful to hear others’ suggestions on what could be done to help this [in] the future. I now understand that it’s also important to learn of groups that could even speak up for me if I did not feel comfortable doing so.”

Bustamante and Doherty say it’s important to do research and understand if a company has policies or structures that protect its LGBTQIA2S+ community. They also suggest making sure people at the company/organization adhere to calling one by their preferred name – human resources should help to ensure dead names are no longer part of the work environment.

Having information like this and other resources shared at Careers for Queers that can go a long way in helping someone feel comfortable in their career. With this in mind, Bustamante and Doherty hope to continue the event annually and that students become more aware of opportunities like these.

Bennet is appreciative of the opportunity. “The fact that official MSU offices are taking the time to facilitate these discussions shows that LGBTQIA+ folks are seen and cared about in those offices. Additionally, this shows that folks care about our future just as much as other people’s,” Bennet says, adding, “There is a lot of hate going on in the world, and it can make it a lonely place. Having events like these shows that people care and that you are not alone.”