03/01/2025

Confidently Navigating Career Paths

By Manny Velásquez-Paredes

Navigating the transition from college to career can be challenging for any student, but transgender and nonbinary (TNB) graduates often face additional hurdles. Legislative actions, historical discrimination, and unwelcoming environments reduce TNB students’ mental health, sense of safety, and ability to focus on career aspirations (Beemyn, 2023; Human Rights Campaign, 2025; Velez, 2023). However, these students can thrive in their chosen careers with the right support and resources. Career services practitioners can use the strategies described here to ensure an effective transition into the work world for students after graduation.

Create an Inclusive Career Services Environment

All career service practitioners are called to ensure that the career services environment is inclusive and welcoming (NCDA, 2024). Career services staff should receive regular training on LGBTQIA+ issues, including the specific challenges TNB individuals face in the workplace. Services also need to use inclusive language that respects students' identities (Song, 2024). For example, by offering private and confidential spaces for career sessions, students feel safe and supported.

Offer Personalized Career Support

Career services practitioners can provide personalized career sessions to address individual needs and aspirations of TNB graduates (Buatti-Ramos, 2022). By connecting students with LGBTQIA+ professionals and mentors, students receive valuable guidance, support, and networking opportunities (Song, 2024).

Incorporating websites that feature jobs or careers for LGBTQIA+ individuals can provide tailored support. Examples include the following:

• The Human Rights Campaign (n.d.) publishes a yearly Corporate Equality Index, an invaluable resource for assessing policies, corporate culture, and benefits pertinent to the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Out and Equal’s workplace resources offer guidance on navigating professional environments and advocating for inclusive practices.
• Websites like Out Professionals, LGBTQ Job Board, and Pride At Work provide job boards and professional networking opportunities tailored for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Make Strong Industry Partnerships and Connections

Career services practitioners can establish relationships with employers committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As practitioners network, they should seek out inclusive employers who have demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion through policies, practices, and workplace culture (Buatti-Ramos, 2022). They also can host events, such as career fairs or networking sessions, that bring together non-binary and trans students with these inclusive employers, creating opportunities for direct engagement and job exploration.

In states where diversity initiatives are no longer permitted, there are still effective ways to support LGBTQIA+ communities. Career service practitioners can highlight or market organizations at job fairs that offer inclusive benefits to employees, ensuring these employers stand out to attendees. They also can help students network with other inclusive hiring organizations or managers. Permitting individuals to share their pronouns if they want during individual conversations or on nametags is a simple yet powerful way to validate and respect students' identities.

Provide Resources and Training to Others

Career service practitioners can equip trans and nonbinary students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their job search and beyond by offering workshops that address how to effectively present one's experience and skills, including how to handle name and gender changes on resumes. They can also provide training on how to address potential interview questions about gender identity and discuss workplace inclusivity with potential employers. It is also valuable to educate students about their legal rights and protections in the workplace, including anti-discrimination laws and policies.

Advocate for Inclusive Policies and Practices

Beyond direct student support, career service practitioners are called to engage in public policy and institutional design (Blustein, 2006). They can work with college administration and employers to advocate for policies that support TNB students. Advocacy includes comprehensive non-discrimination policies that explicitly include gender identity and expression. Collaborating with mental health counseling and health services also addresses the needs of trans and nonbinary students.

Foster a Supportive Community through Affinity Groups and Mentoring

Career services can create a strong sense of community and belonging among TNB students that helps them feel supported and empowered by collaborating with LGBTQIA+ student organizations that provide peer support, advocacy, and social opportunities. Working closely with these student groups, they can develop an LGBTQIA+ alumni network that can offer mentorship, networking, and career opportunities for current students (Buatti-Ramos, 2022). When career services showcase the achievements of TNB alumni, they inspire current students and demonstrate that success is possible. They can feature stories of TNB alumni who have succeeded in their careers, highlighting their journeys and accomplishments. They also can invite successful TNB professionals to speak at events, sharing their experiences and advice with students.

Supporting transgender and nonbinary students in their transition from college to a career requires a multifaceted approach. By embracing these strategies, colleges and universities can empower TNB students to approach their careers with confidence and achieve their professional dreams. In doing so, they not only support individual success but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable workforce where everyone has the chance to thrive.

References

Beemyn, G. (2023, June 1). How to support transgender students: Actions faculty can take to help trans students feel welcome. Harvard Business Publishing. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/ 

Blustein, D. L. (2006). The psychology of work. Routledge.

Buatti-Ramos, S. (2022, February). An introduction to successful practices for serving trans students. NACE Journal. https://www.naceweb.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/best-practices/an-introduction-to-successful-practices-for-serving-trans-students/ 

National Career Development Association. (2024). Code of ethics. https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/3395?ver=738703

Song, A. (2024, June 3). Trans and non-binary career advancement: How to overcome challenges at work. Diversity Jobs. https://www.diversityjobs.com/trans-and-non-binary-career-advancement-how-to-overcome-challenges-at-work

Velez, B. L. (2023). Sexual and gender minority career psychology. In W. B. Walsh, L. Y. Flores, P. J. Hartung, & F. T. L. Leong (Eds.), Career psychology: Models, concepts, and counseling for meaningful employment (pp. 259–278). American Psychological Association.

Manny Velásquez-Paredes is an award-winning professional with extensive experience in higher education, diversity, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. As a bilingual (English/Spanish) leader, he has dedicated his career to training organizations, communities, and government agencies on gender identity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. His work in higher education as Director of Career Education, includes mentoring students, developing workshops and courses, and advocating for inclusive policies. At the University of North Florida, his leadership was instrumental in securing the university’s recognition as the only university in the State of Florida to be included as one of the Top 40 Best of the Best for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion by Campus Pride. Beyond academia, MVP serves on multiple non-profit boards, including LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, Jax River City Pride, and Equality Florida. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Diversity and Inclusion Award at UNF, the National Latino Leader Award from the Council for Latino Workplace Equity, and the LGBTQ+ Leadership Award from the Florida Diversity Council. A passionate advocate and strategic thinker, he continues to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and beyond. Manny currently lives in Jacksonville, FL with his husband, Jose, their two children Maximus, Jaslene, and their dog Nala. He can be reached at m.velasquez@unf.edu or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvelasquez/