Here at the UCCS Career and Innovation Center, we work hard to support students from all backgrounds including those that come to UCCS that are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, polyamorous, pansexual, intersex, asexual, two spirit (or other native and indigenous informed identity), or other identity intersections.
Career Center Support
While there are many laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender or sexuality, there are still many questions and concerns that the Colorado Springs community may have when navigating the job search. Questions like
- “Will I be supported as a transgender or non-binary person within this company?” or
- “Will I be able to speak outwardly about my partner/s and family at my workplace?”
The Career and Innovation Center is a place where you can navigate these questions as well as find resources that you can utilize when entering the workforce and bringing your full self during your time here and when you leave university.
- If you have questions, seek advice, or would like your career documents reviewed please click here to schedule an appointment with a Career Coach.
- Check out our Career Exploration page to learn more about your career journey
- Review our Resume Guide to update your format – Resumes and Cover Letters are not legal documents, so you can write the name you use if you prefer.
- Set up a Mock Interview with career center staff to practice and prepare
- Visit Clyde’s Closet in UC114 for FREE inclusive professional work wear
We work closely with the Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community (M.O.S.A.I.C.), which also houses the LGBTQ+ Resource Center. We encourage you to connect with their awesome staff for support.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy.
Job Search Resources
- Attitudes and protections vary tremendously across the U.S. and Internationally. If you are planning to relocate be sure to research the political climate and cultural attitudes toward LGBTQ people as you navigate the job search.
- Additionally, it is important to inform your references whether or not you are out in your job search, which name and pronouns you will be using in your search, and what information you are comfortable with them disclosing to potential employers.
- Handshake
- Campus Pride Job Board
- Pride Job Board – The Center on Colfax
- LGBTConnect
- PowerToFly
- Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (Business Directory Page)
- Best Places to Work 2022
- Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
- Ways to Tell if an Employer is LGBTQ+ Friendly
- Stonewall (UK-Europe 100 Best Employers)
- Movement Advancement Project (Employment Nondiscrimination Laws)
Visit the UCCS LGBTQ+ Resource Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ+) Resource Center includes student advocated support services designed to cultivate the holistic development of historically and currently marginalized students at UCCS. Students can expect ongoing programs, trainings, leadership development, intentionally designed resources, and active advising from the full-time staff.
- Local and State Resources
- National and Global Resources
- UCCS and Colorado LGBTQ+ Policies
- Coming Out
- Name and Pronoun Change/Transitioning Guides
- Transgender Resources
- Health and Awareness
- Intersectional Identity Support
- LGBTQ+ Scholarships and Opportunities
- Pronouns
- Gender Inclusive Restrooms
- College Guides
More Campus Support
If you feel the communication between you and an employer is suspicious, end the communication immediately.
- Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion https://diversity.uccs.edu/
- Office of Institutional Equity https://equity.uccs.edu/
- LGBT Resource Center https://lgbtresourcecenter.uccs.edu/
- MOSAIC https://mosaic.uccs.edu/
Make Connections by Networking
- Human Rights Campaign
- National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- National LGBT Bar Association
- The Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
- OutBüro – LGBTQ Professional & Entrepreneur Community
- Out & Equal’s LGBTQ CareerLink Group
- LGBT Professionals (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Friends)
- Out and Equal Leadership Development Program
- Out Professionals (Network)
- Pride at Work (Union Network)
- GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network)
- Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
- Out Professionals (Professional Network)
- Out to Innovate (STEM Network)
- StartOut (Entrepreneurs Network)
- Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
More Career Tips, Blogs, Articles and Resources
The decision to dress according to “traditional”, cisgender norms or to wear clothes that allow you to express your gender identity may vary over time and from interview to interview, depending on your personal comfort level. Your knowledge of the particular employer or industry may inform your decision. Ideally, wear clothing that makes you feel confident.
You may find an employer asking you an illegal question in an interview. These questions may ask you to reveal your age, race, national origin, citizenship, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or arrest record. Knowing how to identify and respond effectively to these questions is important.
- LGBT People in the Workplace: Demographics, Experiences, Pathways to Equity
- Should I Come Out at My Job Interview?
- Coming Out at Work
- Authenticity Can Help LGBTQ Leaders Be More Effective
- Defining Nonbinary Work Wear
- Workplace Dress codes and Transgender and Non-binary Employees
- National Center for Transgender Equality – Know Your Rights in Federal Government Employment
- National Center for Transgender Equality – Know Your Rights in General Employment
- LGBT Executive Training from Stanford (Op-Ed)
Employment Community Resources
- Point Foundation They empower promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society. (Scholarships)
- National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce The NGLCC is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of the LGBT business community (Company Network)
- Movement Advancement Project Shows which states/local governments include sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression in their non-discrimination policies
- Victory Institute seeks to increase the number of LGBTQ people in public office.
- Equality Federation is an advocacy accelerator for the LGBTQ+ community and the website contains state-to-state information about news and resources.
- The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the youth of the LGBTQ+ community.
- National Center for Transgender Equality
- National Center for Lesbian Rights (includes legal issues, transgender issues)
- Out and Equal
- Out for Undergrad—Conferences for LGBTQ Students
- PFLAG LGBTQ+ Glossary
- Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Patients and Families
- The Center of Colfax Resource Directory Engaging, Empowering, Enriching & Advancing the LGBTQ Community of Colorado
- Northern Colorado Equality Resources Northern Colorado Equality seeks to empower the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies through activities, programs, services and education.
- Out Boulder County specializes in educating, advocating and providing services, programs, and support for Boulder County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities.
- Transgender Center of the Rockies
Holistic Services Provided to the Colorado Trans Community
