Preparing to enter the job world can be daunting. The information below is meant to guide you through searching for internships and jobs with information on job search platforms and tips on how to research employers. 

How to research employers

Consider these tips for finding out if an employer has created an inclusive work environment:

• Is the organization on Diversity Inc.’s Top 50 or other national lists for their diversity policies and programs?
• What are the company’s values and are there employee focused programs around issues of concern or for specific resource or affinity groups?
• Does the organization commit to diversity and inclusion? You may ask your interviewer about the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and/or explain your desire to work for an organization that values diversity.

Job search platforms 

• Diversity Inc: The top 50 companies for diversity.
• IMDiversity: Provides career and self-development information to all minorities, specifically African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and women.
• Institute for Broadening Participation: Offers a directory of links to programs designed to increase diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. 
• INSIGHT Into Diversity: Aids equal opportunity employers in adding diverse, qualified candidates to their workforce. Job postings include positions in academia, business, healthcare, and the government.
• US Government Diversity and Inclusion and Presidential Management Fellows Program
• Diversity Jobs: Connects African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic people, and members of the LGBT community with companies that are known for being diversity-friendly.
• INROADS: Offers paid internships for undergraduate, diverse individuals  
• National Urban League: Provides a large searchable job database that highlights organizations interested in diversifying their talent pool.

Connect to alumni and other professionals of color

Alumni, staff and faculty that identify similarly to you have been through the processes that you are now heading towards and have a bounty of wisdom that they would be happy to share with you. Learning from the experiences of those who have come before you may help you navigate and thrive in the working world. Consider networking through LinkedIn, campus events and your organizations.

How to navigate interviews 

Reflect on your experiences and competency development, then connect them to the job. Highlight how what you have learned is a benefit for a job or internship.

JMU On and Off-campus Resources

• Center for Multicultural Services
• Student Activities – Be Involved
• Center for Global Engagement
• Study Abroad and Summer Study Abroad

 Resources for Scholarships/Fellowships at JMU

• Scholarship for Unpaid Internships
• Fellowships and Awards
• Financial Aid and Scholarships

Resources for Students of Color 

We’ve compiled the below list of job search boards, professional associations, blogs and other resources that might be useful to students of color. 

Asian/Pacific American

• National Association of Asian American Professionals: The NAAAP is a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian and Pacific Islander leaders through professional development, community service, and networking. It offers a diverse range of professional development programs including a career center and job board.
• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans: The NCAPA offers a directory of links to Asian Pacific American organizations, many with career sites of their own. Links also include website and contact information for internship and job search purposes, as well as networking.

Black/African American

• African American Professional Associations: The AAPA provides a compilation of links to the leading African American professional associations, many with career and job sites of their own.
• National Urban League Job Network: The Urban League Job Network is dedicated to helping diverse students find employment opportunities. This organization is backed by the National Urban League.
• United Negro College Fund: UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. It manages various scholarship, fellowship, and internship programs.

Hispanic/Latinx

• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: The CHCI offers information about congressional internship programs in D.C. 
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities: The HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education and success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain, and provides comprehensive internship and job search boards all sponsored by the program. 
• Hispanic and Latino Professional Associations: Resource offering a number of links to the leading Hispanic and Latino professional associations, many with career and job sites of their own.
• iHispano: Job search board sponsored by the Professional Diversity Network.
• Latino Careers: Job search board sponsored by LATCareers.com.
• LatPro.com: Resource for connecting Hispanic and Latino bilingual job seekers with recruiters searching for skilled diversity candidates.

Indigenous/Native American

• Native American Professional Organizations: Provides a list of 21 organizations and professional associations serving the Native American community.
• Indian Country Today: Covers topics pertinent to Native Americans. The website includes internships, a scholarship guide, and job search database.
• National Congress of American Indians: Offers a list of job opportunities submitted by employers that are American Indian, Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native businesses, governments, or organizations. It also includes job opportunities submitted by organizations seeking Native American applicants.
• Native American Jobs: Supplies a job search database for Native American job seekers; includes Tribal and Non-Tribal companies across the nation.
• Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education: Includes a job board for Native Americans in higher education.