Career resources for students of color.
Career Planning has created these pages to guide you in finding specific career resources.
Students at The College of Wooster self-identify in a variety of ways. In the United States, domestic students of color often refer to those students who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous/Native American, and/or Asian/Pacific American. However, in the complex global context, students of color can also include international students and/or global nomads.
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Consider Your Experience: How might your diverse background benefit an employer?
Consider your own experience as a diverse individual. What diverse experiences can you share with an employer that would be beneficial to the mission and purpose of the organization you have interest in pursuing?
Here are some examples of how you might discuss your diverse identity in the job or internship search process:
- Resume: Highlight academic and professional diversity-related connections and leadership experience you have (for example, being a member or leader of Dene or Harambee). Do you speak a second language?
- Cover Letter: You can identify as a diverse student in your cover letter and explain why your diversity could be an important asset in the job/internship you are applying for.
- Interview: Ask your interviewer about the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion or explain your desire to work for an organization that values diversity.
- Illegal Interview Questions: Did you know that it is against the law for employers to ask you certain questions in a job interview? To learn more about what topics are off-limits and what to do if you are asked about them, see “Handling Improper Interview Questions.”
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Do Your Homework: Do the employers on your list honor diversity, equity, and inclusivity?
- Is the organization on Diversity Inc.’s Top 50 or other national lists for their diversity policies and programs? What are the criteria for making the list?
- Are there any programs or resources for employees focused around issues of concern or for specific groups?
- What do others (e.g. peers, alumni, current employees) say about the organizational culture? Keep in mind that every opinion, good or bad, may come with a work context you may not be privy to.
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Networking: What is the best way to connect other diverse individuals?
- Alumni & Family Engagement
- Black Alumni Council
- Professional Associations & Affinity Groups
- Building Meaningful Connections
You can learn from the experience of those who have come before. But how do you find them? And when you do find them, how do you connect with them?
- Professional Associations and Affinity Groups: Most professional associations offer student memberships at a discount, and memberships usually come with access to programs such as speaker events, or job fairs. You can search for professional associations below. Some are specific to certain cultural groups while others will have diversity divisions. Employers may also organize affinity groups for their employees in order to provide a space for business and social inclusion.
- Mentoring: If you form a strong connection with someone, such as an alumna or other professional, you may consider asking her to be your mentor. Read these tips on choosing a mentor.
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