Navigating Identity in Tech panel

Research shows that “LGBTQ+ persons [are] not only more likely than their otherwise similar non-LGBTQ+ peers to experience social marginalization and harassment in their workplaces, but [are] also more likely to report limited career opportunities and to have had their professional expertise devalued by their colleagues (Cech & Waidzunas, 2021). Additionally, according to a report conducted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “while there will be 7 million new STEM jobs by 2025 and not enough people to fill them, only 35% of higher education students studying STEM subjects are women. It is clear that despite the increase in employment within STEM, women are still less likely to fill up these jobs.” (Li, 2019).

This panel is to present tech-interested students who hold marginalized gender and sexual identities with unique perspectives on how to leverage said identities during the career planning process. We know some students may view their identities as a barrier to success, but these identities can also be an asset. On this panel, several UMN grads will share how they have leveraged their unique identities and experiences to create successful careers and advance equity along the way.

RSVP at z.umn.edu/identityintech

Hosted by: CLA Career Services and Computer Science & Engineering Undergraduate Programs