Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Identity-Based Career Resources
CPDC Diversity Statement
"At Carnegie Mellon University, we welcome students from all 50 states and countries across the globe. We believe diversity, equity and inclusion create the foundation of the CMU experience. The Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) strives to foster a culture where each person feels empowered to be their authentic self. We believe that welcoming all people and perspectives will result in a more creative and inclusive experience, career center and university."
- Kevin Monahan - Director, Career & Professional Development Center
Specialized Career Advising Appointments
Diverse Identities in the Workplace with Sarah Kurz
First-Generation Students with Jennifer Frick
Make an appointment on Handshake! - Search under "Specialized Appointments"
Maximize Your Diversity
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.
Questions to Consider
- How/when should I disclose my disabilities?
- What is a “reasonable accommodation?”
- What should I do if I’m discriminated against during an interview?
- Do I need to disclose anything before I sign a hiring contract?
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.
LGBTQ+
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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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs General Support & Advocacy Career Support |
Pittsburgh-based Resources Legal Support |
Women
Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, White women still only make 80 cents to the dollar that a White man makes, and that shrinks even further for Asian women, Black women, Latine women, and Indigenous women respectively. By finding a support system early on, women are more likely to thrive in a professional setting.
Race & Ethnicity
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.
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs National Resources: |
National Resources: |
Black/African/African-American
East Asian & South Asian
Hispanic/Latinx
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs Pittsburgh-based Resources |
Career Resources: Other Resources: A Guide to Credit for Hispanics and Latinos Esperanza United Financial Resources for Hispanics and Latinos |
Indigenous Peoples
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs Pittsburgh-based Resources |
National Resources Native Hire National Congress of American Indians SACNAS |
International & DACA 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.
International Students
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs Pittsburgh-based Resource |
National Resources - Career Support National Resources - Job Boards |
DACA & Undocumented Immigrants
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs |
National Resources Undocumented Students College Guide Immigrants Rising My Undocumented Life |
Questions to Consider
- When and where should I reveal in my application I will require sponsorship for this position?
- When should I submit my application for OPT?
- Who should I talk to to do my CPT/OPT paperwork?
- How do I broach the subject that I am undocumented to a potential employer?
- Do I need a social security number to apply to jobs?
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.
Schedule an Appointment
with your Career Consultant
Faith & Religion
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.
On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs:
Humanist LeagueReligious & Spiritual Life Initiatives
Christian
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On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs Agape Christian MinistryAlpha Omega Christians on Campus National Resources ChristianJobs |
On-Campus Fellowships/Fellowship Associations Asian Christian FellowshipCentral Church Student Fellowship Chinese Bible Study Fellowship Inter-Fellowship Association InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Lutheran Student Fellowship |
Jewish
Muslim
| On-Campus Resources & Student Orgs Muslim Student Association (MSA) National Resources - Career Support Muslim Advocates Muslim Public Affairs Council Muslims For Progressive Values American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Muslim Legal Fund Of America |
Pittsburgh-based Resources National Resources - Job Boards |
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 & Student Orgs FirstTogether@CMU CMU Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion CMU Student Academic Success Center CMU SASC - Communication Support Pittsburgh-based Resources The Pittsburgh Foundation Dress for Success - Pittsburgh
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National Resources NASPA First Gen TRIO |
Recommended Career Development Timeline
First Year
- Volunteer and get involved with on-campus student organizations
- Familiarize yourself with what the CPDC can offer you in terms of resources, and set up your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles.
- Create the first iteration of your professional resume and cover letter.
- Focus on academic success and seek out support early and often.
- Gain summer experience by working, volunteering, or taking summer courses.
Sophomore Year
Begin to narrow down your possible career options. Spend significant time networking and speaking with your older peers about how they’ve been successful in their internship searches.
- Find an internship or summer experience that is broader and can give you a better understanding of your chosen industry at large, but focuses more on the transferable skills necessary to navigate your career path.
- Attend career workshops and career fairs not just to find opportunities, but to network with professionals and recruiters.
- Meet with a Career Consultant and talk about your career journey thus far and where you want it to go.
Junior Year
Focus heavily on networking. Attend employer info sessions, career fairs, and networking opportunities. Speak to current professionals to learn what steps made them successful.
- Participate in an internship or research field experience that more closely aligns with your ultimate career goals.
- Continue to attend career workshops, employer events and career fairs.
- Meet with a Career Consultant to stay on track.
- Build your professional network through intentional outreach to professionals and by holding informational interviews regularly.
- If you're thinking about graduate or professional school, meet with your Academic Advisor and Career Consultant to discuss your options.
Senior Year
- Create a list of companies/organizations that you’re interested in applying to. Start getting familiar with tracking your applications and stick to a schedule of hitting milestones throughout the semesters.
- Practice mock interviews with your Career Consultant, as well as utilizing Big Interview to learn more about techniques and how to navigate interviews.
- Continue to attend events on campus - career workshops, employer events, career fairs, networking opportunities, and more.
- Apply to full-time opportunities with Handshake, as well as other job position platforms.
- Let us know of any good news via the First Destination Survey!
Student-Athletes
Your dedication to your sport is one that you have sunk 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 & Student Orgs Tartan Athlete Fellowship Tartan 2 Professional CMU Athletics CPDC Specialty Area Guide: Student-Athletes Pittsburgh-based Resources: |
National Resources: Athlete Network National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) NCAA After the Game Career Search Sports Career Finder Article: Student Athlete Guide to Getting a Job TeamWork Online |
Non Traditional Students
This population of students may be one of the smallest on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, but the perspectives that you bring are some of the most impactful. Your experiences can not only drive your education forward, but can also be an incredible asset to your job search.
Post-traditional Age
Questions to Consider:
- Should I put my high school/undergrad year of graduation on my resume?
- How many experiences do I need to include on my resume that don’t pertain to the positions that I’m applying for?
- How do I keep myself from being discriminated against in my job search?
On-Campus Resource:
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE)
Adult Student
College Recruiter: 7 resume tips for non-traditional college students
College for Adults
Students with Children
Questions to Consider:
- How do I make sure that the jobs that I’m applying for are in a company that won’t look down on me for having a family?
- Who should I talk to about benefits for my family once I sign a job offer contract?
- How can I talk about my job search with my children?
Grad Students with Children
Human Resources
Learning for a Lifetime
Pittsburgh-based Resource:
Pittsburgh Parent
National Resources:
Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE)
Employment Protections for Workers Who Are Pregnant or Nursing
Scholarships for women and single mothers
Veterans
We at the CPDC thank you for your service and stand behind you in your transition from armed services to academia and professional work.
Questions to Consider:
- Should I make my generalized resume look like more of a military resume?
- Should I include my rankings at discharge next to my name?
- How do I talk to my employer about triggers related to my PTSD?
Veterans Groups at CMU
Veterans & Military Community
Tepper Veterans Campus Group
Pittsburgh-based Resource
PA VFW
National Resources
American Corporate Partners
Jobs for Veterans
Hire Heroes USA
Hire a Hero
Military.com - Jobs for Veterans
Military Skills Translator
National Resource Directory
Student Veterans
Suiting Warriors - for help in accessing professional attire
TRIO Veterans
VetFran - for veterans interested in franchising locations of large corporations