Students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community who are preparing to enter the workforce may find job search challenges related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The following collection of resources is presented to offer a starting point in considering issues faced by LGBT people in the workplace. There are no hard and fast rules, so you should feel free to address questions on coming out at work and during the job search when you meet with career coaches.

Career Opportunities for LGBT STEM Grads: Brighter Than Ever

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students nearing graduation and preparing to pursue a career in their chosen fields are increasingly looking for employers who are LGBT-inclusive. The Human Rights Campaign annually compiles and updates its Corporate Equality Index (CEI): a list of companies meeting criteria identifying them as LGBT-inclusive. HRC periodically increases the challenge for companies to earn a 100% CEI rating.

Corporate Equality Index

Rating American Workplaces on LGBT Equality

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) business owners, corporations, and government, representing the interests of more than 1.4 million LGBT businesses and entrepreneurs.

Sexual Orientation and Career Decision Making

Although everyone has concerns or questions when searching for a job or considering a career change, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people have additional issues related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals

The mission of NOGLSTP (pronounce it like this: "nah"-goal-step) is to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing education, advocacy, professional development, networking, and peer support.

Human Rights Campaign

The best source of information on workplace and corporate policies related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Includes information about non-discrimination policies, organizations with domestic partnership benefits, municipalities that have laws banning employment discrimination, and career articles. Search the WorkNet Employer Database for information about several hundred organizations' policies, LGBT employee group contacts, and more. This site pays the most attention to transgender issues in the workplace.

Out & Equal

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is the pre-eminent national organization devoted to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the workplace. Their mission is to "educate and empower organizations, human resource professionals, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and individual employees through programs and services that result in equal policies, opportunities, practices, and benefits in the workplace regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, or characteristics.

Out Professionals

OutProfessionals is a job search and networking web site including a directory of businesses, women's network, LGBT events and links, and volunteer opportunities.

Workplace Diversity

WorkplaceDiversity.com, the source for diversity talent, is the central job search web site for corporate recruiters who want to make a good faith effort to reach experienced diversity talent.

 LGBT employees of the Federal government

Out For Work

The National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender undergraduate student career conference