Identity-Based Resources

An issue to be aware of in the workplace is not receiving equal pay. Women working full-time in 2020 earned 82 percent of what men earned. While we do not subscribe to the idea that women can simply negotiate away the gender pay gap, we do recommend students negotiate job offers from employers. Here are some links for tips on how to negotiate for higher pay:

• Robert Half’s Negotiation Advice

• Georgetown’s Negotiation Advice

• ​InHerSight is a website that rates employers on how supportive they are for the women who work there. This can be another useful data point to help you decide whether a company might be a good fit for you.

PLEN – Preparing you to Lead The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the only national organization [nonpartisan 501(c)(3)] with the sole focus of preparing college women and marginalized gender groups for leadership in the public policy arena.

• WiCyS (Women in Cyber Security)
• National Organization for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity
• We have a local chapter on campus!

• 100 Women in Finance

• Alliance for Women in Media

• American Business Women’s Association

• American Medical Women’s Association

• American Institute of CPAs

• Association for Women in Computing 

• Association for Women in Science

• Association of Women in International Trade

• Crew Network

• Financial Women’s Association

• Institute for Women’s Policy Research 

• International Alliance for Women in Music 

• Association of Professional Insurance Women

• National Association of Women Business Owners

• Organization of Women in International Trade

• Society of Women Engineers

• Women in Aerospace

• Women in Housing and Finance

• Women in International Security

• Women in Technology International

• Women Presidents’ Organization

• Women’s Caucus for Art
• Women’s National Book Association

• American Association of University Women

• Business Professional Women’s Foundation

• Federally Employed Women

• Moms’ Rising

• National Council of Negro Women

• 100 Black Women
• National Women’s Law Center

• Is the company you are interested in LGBTQ friendly?

• Do you include internships/work experience that occurred with an LGBTQ advocacy organization on your resume?

• Will I insist on working for a company that I know is LGBTQ+ friendly?

• Will I interview for companies that imply they are LGBTQ+ friendly?

• Would I work for a company that does not have any formal considerations for their LGBTQ+ employees?

• What does working for a diverse company mean to me?

• Does this company have at least 1 gender-neutral bathroom?

• Does the organization sponsor or participate in activities or events that support the LGBTQ community?

• At what point should I “come out” to an employer?

• You do NOT have to do this at all if you don’t want to!

• If you want to, here may be some appropriate times to do so:

• On your resume

• In the interview

• After you have begun working there

• How do I word LGBTQ+ experiences on my resume?

• This depends on your comfort level! But, here are some examples:

• Treasurer, Le Moyne College PRISM

• Educated on SafeZone and practiced training in the Residence Halls

• Out Alliance Intern

• Some helpful questions to ask during the hiring process:

• Does your company have a diverse employee base?

• Do you offer same sex benefits?

• Does your organization have an LGBTQ+ support or social group?

Check out the following materials for employers known to be LGBTQ+ friendly:

• Corporate Equality Index
• The Human Rights Campaign Best Places to Work
• LGBT Connect
• Out & Equal
• Out for Work

Can I use my chosen name on a resume or cover letter?

• It is not a legal document, so yes! Here are some options for you in doing this:

• Option 1: Just use your chosen name

• Option 2: Use your legal name

• Option 3: Use the first initial of your legal name, and the rest as your chosen name.

Will I have to use my legal name during the job search?

• If you have not changed your name legally, unfortunately, you will need to provide your legal name for numerous legal documents. Luckily, most organizations will let their employers use their preferred names on all other contact information. The Human Resources Department is a good place to discuss these issues with, as they are bound by confidentiality and know a lot about the rules and regulations in this arena.

How should I dress for an interview?

• You should dress in whatever fashion makes you feel most comfortable, and in whatever fashion matches the professional level for the position in which you are applying. Dressing the way you wish to present yourself may also help your coworkers learn your pronouns faster, and help you feel more confident.

Some Laws and Policies to consider

• In the US, LGBT employment discrimination is illegal!

• Employers can also create their own nondiscrimination policies in their workplace

• Search for a company’s nondiscrimination policies on their website. If you can’t find it on the website, call and ask for a copy.

• According to Georgetown University, “With the federal recognition of same-sex marriage, employers that extend benefits to spouses and families of their employees must extend the same benefits to same-sex couples. Additionally, some states have domestic partnership laws which provide the basis for some companies to provide equivalent benefits to unmarried couples who meet the state’s requirements for partnerships or civil unions.”

Try to answer the overarching question: Does this employer value diversity and inclusion?

• Look for a Diversity Philosophy on the Company’s Website

• Look for programs or resources for employees that are members of minority groups.

• Don’t be afraid to reach out to your inner circle. Get the opinions of others on how that company treated them during their time working for them. However, don’t be afraid to judge each opinion based on the person giving it to you.

• Take a look at DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity to get a better sense of which employers are demonstrating a commitment to Diversity.

Use these resources to help with researching employers and careers​

• IMDiversity

• INSIGHT into Diversity

• Diversity and Inclusion information from NACE

• Join the Career Conversation program at Le Moyne that can match you with an alumni who will advise you on how to be successful professionally both at Le Moyne and after graduation. This program also allows for students to advocate if they prefer having a BIPOC person to network with.
• Join Professional associations, affinity groups, or local organizations to find networks that can help lead to vocational and career opportunities.

• Here are some tips to help you protect yourself against workplace discrimination
• Here are some scholarships and fellowships created to help students of color ​

• National Association of Asian American Professionals is a helpful job board geared towards Asain Americans
• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

• op 21 African American Professional Groups

• The National Urban League 

• UNCF and Scholarships

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

• Monster.com Top 15 Hispanic/Latinx Professional Associations

• iHispano Job Board website

• LATCareers

• National Congress of American Indians

• Native American Jobs

• Tribal College

• https://hellohive.com/​ 

• https://www.wayup.com/

• Don’t forget to evaluate the employer, and how they handle discrimination for people with disabilities.
  • Here is a list of DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 2020
  • NACE: Facing Job Interviews When You Have Facial Differences
  • Look for a Diversity Philosophy on the Company’s Website
  • Look for programs or resources for employees that are members of minority groups.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to your inner circle. Get the opinions of others on how that company treated them during their time working for them. However, don’t be afraid to judge each opinion based on the person giving it to you.

• Connecing Individuals with Disabilities to Jobs using AI Technology
• Workforce recruitment program
• Bender Consulting Services
• LIME
• Entry Point!
• Disability Job Boards
• The Viscardi Center
• American Association of People with Disabilities 
• My Plus Students Club 
• The Sierra Group Foundation
• Federal Jobs for Disabled Veterans
• Office of Personnel Management 
• Ability Links
• Hire Disability Solutions
• Experiential Learning Opportunities for Students with Learning Disabilities
• Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Students can complete this form to hear about Neurodiversity in the Workplace’s  upcoming hiring programs and receive their email series with job tips, etc.

• American Foundation for the Blind
• Disability: IN
• AHEAD
• American Association of People with Disabilities
• National Organization on Disability

• Job Accommodation Network
• Office of Disability Employment Policy
• Titles I and V of the Americans With Disabilities Act
• Respect Ability

• USAJobs
• US Department of Labor

How to create a Federal Resume

• Check out the hyperlink above to learn how to get started on your Federal resume. However, after you write your first draft of your resume, we encourage you to make an appointment with a professional staff member at the Career Development Center to get it looked over.

• Careeronestop
• Military Crosswalk Search
• Translating Military Experience to Civilian Employment
• FourBlock Veteran Network
• Travis Manion Foundation
• DoD Tap program
• Student Veterans
• Resume building guide for Vets
• Check out this link to learn about how to talk about your military experience during an interview with a civilian.

• ACP Mentorship
• Veterati

• Join these following LinkedIn groups to get in touch with other veterans!
  • US Veterans
  • Military Network
  • The Value of a Veteran
  • US Military Veterans Network
• Facebook, too!
  • Supporting our Veterans

CareerOneStop

Job Openings for Disabled Veterans

• This website will provide you with updates on U.S. travel news.
• Researching for job opportunities
  • Check out the Top 200 Employers that hired OPT and STEM OPT students, and CPT students in 2019.
  • My Visa Jobs finds employment opportunities for people who want to work in the US and Canada.
  • This article will provide guidance for temporary workers in the U.S.
  • According to Georgetown University, these international organizations “are covered under the International Organizations Immunities Act (1945), and often provide full-time international employees with G-4 status. Students who work for one of these organizations during the program of study must have an F-1 or J-1 work authorization.”
• Make sure you consult with the Inclusion Excellence and Global Education Office before you accept any job offers!
• Make sure you know the rules and regulations associated with your visa as you search for job opportunities, and accept job offers.

• This may be able to help with any culture shock you may experience in the workplace!
  • https://hbr.org/2013/02/the-big-challenge-with-america
  • https://www.quora.com/What-things-about-American-culture-should-foreigners-know
  • https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-things-about-American-culture-foreigners-find-strange
• Common Questions for working in the US after graduation

Only if American citizenship is integral to the position.

You do not have to do this; there is no need to disclose the status on your resume. However, in general if someone asks, you should tell them your status!

• Usually, wait until an employer asks. But, find out if the company has petitioned for visas in the past.
  • According to Georgetown, you can always ask this question before the interview: “Is this a position in which the company is willing to petition for an H1-B as I am currently in F-1 status?”
• What are employers allowed/not allowed to ask?
  • The following is taken directly from Georgetown University:
    • Employers MAY NOT ask: “What is your visa type, nationality, place of birth?” or “Of which country are you a citizen?” or “What is your native language?” or “What language do you most often speak?”
    • Employers MAY ask: “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?” or “Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa?” or “Which languages do you read, speak or write?” (provided that foreign language skills are job related)

According to Georgetown, “Explain that you have the legal right to work in the U.S. for up to twelve months using Optional Practical Training (OPT) following graduation. The employer does not need to do anything in order for this to happen. If you have graduated with a degree in one of the STEM (Sciences, Tech, Engineering, and Math) fields, then share that you are eligible for a 24-month STEM extension of your OPT. If you do not have a degree in a STEM field or if you’ve completed your STEM extension, you should explain that your work authorization may be authorized for another three-to-six years with H-1B status. If the employer asks for more information, you should be able to clearly explain the H-1B process.”

To start, here is a YouTube video on how Undocumented Students can find Income Opportunities

The most important rule of thumb when it comes to searching for a job in the United States is that you get to decide whether or not to share your immigration status!

• My Undocumented Life 
• UndocuBlack Network via Facebook
• United We Dream
• NAKASEC

The Ignite Fellowships and the McDevitt Summer Internship and Grant Program help students receive funding during summer internships.

• How do I answer the job application question, “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?”
  • If you do not have DACA, or another work authorization status, you may have to find another way to earn employment. See below for more options.
  • If you have DACA you can answer “yes” to the question. Then, all you have to do is continue through the hiring process as normal.
  • What is DACA?
    • General information on DACA
    • DACA fact sheet 
    • I-9 Acceptable documentation
  • What if I don’t have DACA?
    • Depending on your financial situation, it may be best if you do not accept paid internships. They will require a lot of documentation that you do not have. Unpaid internships, however, will not need this information from you.
    • Working as an independent contractor, like a tutor or a child care provider, allows you to work for multiple clients instead of just one employer. You can discuss this option with your employer depending on the job you accept.
      • According to the Cawley Career Education Center, “An independent contractor can use an Independent Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which can be obtained regardless of immigration status. Read Life after College: A Guide for Undocumented Students by Immigrants Rising for more information (pages 29-35).”

Without DACA, you can also consider starting your own business through a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This article, pages 35-37, may help you navigate this process.

• Here are a bunch of resources and information sessions on how to start this process
• Scholarships to help you through financially
• Paul and Daisy SOROS Fellowships for New Americans

• DREAM Bar Association
• LSAC

Pre-Health Dreamers

• Immigrants Rising 
• Life After College Guide 
• Beyond DACA video 
• My Undocumented Life 
• Act on a Dream

• Some interviewers are not trained properly, and may be genuinely asking you inappropriate interview questions just to create conversation. However, some people ask these questions because they have hidden biases, and plan to use the information you give them in the hiring process.
• Some people may ask questions surrounding these topics outright, and others may ask them in a more “stealthy” way, and it’s good to be prepared for both.
• In answering these questions, a lot of it will rely on your personal judgement call: is this person innocently asking me this question, or no?
  • If you believe they are innocently asking you a question, it is probably best to just deflect the question. For example, if someone asks you about the origin of your last name and where you are from, you can say something like, “Oh, I consider myself to be from Syracuse! I’ve lived here for a long time.”

• • If you believe that they are not innocently asking you the question, you can politely decline to answer the question. An example of this may be, “I don’t really think that question is relevant right now, but I would love to tell you more about my experience in programming.”

Unfortunately, this may hurt your chances of receiving the job. However, if a company can’t look past this brief awkward moment, it may be a quality you would want to consider in whether you would like to work for them, anyways.