Access & Opportunity
Career Support and Resources for Every Tartan
Helping You Build a Future That Fits You
At Carnegie Mellon University, we welcome students from all 50 states and over 70 countries around the world, supporting all paths and perspectives. The Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) is committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels supported in bringing their full, authentic selves to their academic and professional journey. We believe that embracing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to a more dynamic, creative, and connected campus and career community.
Workplace Culture That Works for All
While this handout doesn’t cover everything, it can help guide your research, self-reflection, and decision-making as you explore potential employers. We encourage you to connect with your Career Consultant at the CPDC to talk through your goals and workplace preferences as you navigate your job search.
Own Your Story. Shape Your Future.
Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of resources to help you explore your identity and grow both personally and professionally. In addition to the identity-specific resources listed below, the Tartan Connect online platform, along with services from The Center and Wellness & Meaning-Making Programs, are available to all students. These campus-wide services can help you build your authentic self and strengthen your professional community.
Dis/ability & Neurodiversity
The Career and Professional Development Center is committed to supporting and empowering students with diverse abilities and disabilities, both visible and non-visible, to excel throughout their professional growth and career journey. Whether you have questions about accommodations, want to know about resources for finding a job as a disabled or neurodiverse person, or just want to know that your anxiety around the job search is valid, speak with your Career Consultant for support.
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The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program hopes to assist in the breaking down of barriers-of-entry for students with emotional and cognitive differences in their career-search process at CMU.
Gender & Sexual Diversity
No matter your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship style, your identities and experiences are valid. Bringing your whole self to your work everyday allows you to live a more fulfilling life. From including your pronouns on your resume to discussing benefits for your same-gender partner, speak with your Career Consultant about navigating these realities during your search.
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Women
Women remain underrepresented in many industries, which is why finding a support system early in their careers is so important. With the right support, everyone in the workplace is more likely to thrive and grow.
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Ethnic & Cultural Diversity
The Career and Professional Development Center encourages students of color to understand that their experiences and perspectives are unique and important. Whether you’re using these backgrounds to enhance your professional networks or to contribute important conversations to your community, speak to your Career Consultant about how these moments of reflection can help you move forward in your career journey.
International Students
With approximately 40% of students at Carnegie Mellon coming from outside of the US, we understand that many students who choose to study in the US will choose to seek jobs in the US upon graduation. The CPDC Career Consultants can work with your individual situation to figure out best steps towards self-branding and marketing your experiences and perspectives during your career search, while collaborating with the Office of International Education to assure your legal status remains in good standing.
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The Office of International Education (OIE) promotes and facilitates study abroad and acts as a liaison to the university for international students, researchers, and professors.
Religion & Spirituality
Religion, faith, and spirituality are significant realities of day-to-day life for many individuals, as well as the companies that hire them. Each lifestyle brings new perspectives to a team, and allows those invested to balance the morals and values of their work with their organization’s collective goals. If your spirituality or beliefs are an important asset to your life, we encourage you to utilize what they teach you in your professional growth, as well.
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First-Generation Students
Adjusting to college without a role model who has done it before can be challenging, as you don't know what you don't know. Your experiences, perspectives, and skills are unique as a first-generation college student, and the CPDC is here to support your growth throughout your time at Carnegie Mellon. We offer opportunities to speak with tailored Career Consultants that know your field and can also stimulate conversations about resources, networking, and timelines related to your career path. No matter your background and course of study, we can help you anticipate your next steps to set you up for success post-graduation.
| On-Campus Resources: FirstTogether@CMU Tartan Scholars |
Student-Athletes
Your dedication to your sport is one that you have invested hours upon hours of hard work into! Whether you play for passion, health, or competition, you are gaining valuable experience and transferable skills from the work that you do on the field, court, pool, or wherever you find yourself for your sport. By naming these skills and giving thorough examples, you can use your experience in sports as a way to show how you’ll excel at any job you could hold. Let the CPDC show you how to put your best foot forward in your transition from college athlete to career professional.
| On-Campus Resources: Tartan Athlete Fellowship CMU Athletics |
Non-Traditional Students
Non-traditional students such as adult learners, students with children, and veterans may make up one of the smaller populations on Carnegie Mellon’s campus. Yet the perspectives you bring are among the most impactful. Your experiences not only enrich your educational journey but also serve as a powerful asset in your job search.
| On-Campus Resources: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Grad Students with Children Human Resources Learning for a Lifetime Veterans Groups at CMU Veterans & Military Community Tepper Veterans Campus Group |