Find Your Community

We want to empower you to join an equitable workforce.  Don't feel like you're qualified?  Sometimes marginalized populations don't apply for a position unless they meet every single qualification but the truth is that you likely have all that you need to be an excellent hire.  As you go through your job search, remember one thing first and foremost: you are an asset to the workplace.  Research shows that diverse teams help companies innovate, generate better ideas, reach a wider customer base, and are more likely to have higher profits.

Get involved in communities on UMD's campus.  Finding a fit now will help in the development of skills that will transfer to your job/internship search, and you'll expand your network of contacts.

Engineering & Campus Communities

• Engineering Student Organizations
• CMSE
• WIE
• Office of Diversity & Inclusion
• MICA
• OMSE
• Campus-wide UMD Student Organizations

Organizational Fit

Are the companies you're searching a good "fit" for you?  Look for the diversity statement on the company’s website.  If you can’t find one, remember that you can check the news regarding a company's culture and values. Plus, you can research companies' actions. While their mission statement or work culture may appear welcoming, you should also assess a company's impact on the world to determine fit: do they prioritize ethical business decisions, do they make equitable investments, do they support volunteer or philanthropic efforts?

General Articles:

• 20 professional organizations focused on diversity in tech
• The immense and increasing value of diverse engineering and product teams
• Working with Multiple Generations

Look at the leadership on the company’s website.  Do you see a diverse team?  Then, look for the company’s employees on LinkedIn.  Do you see representations of diversity? Can you find the company on any national diversity lists?

When you are at networking events and information sessions, it’s okay to ask employers the following questions:

• What are your company’s top values?
• How does your company promote community? 
• Which holidays are observed?
• Do the offices typically have lactation rooms or private space?
• Are there policies in place for maternal or parental leave?

Check to see if the employer advertises positions and recruits at academic conferences or career fairs that are intended for diverse students.  Several of the Clark School’s Student Societies often have special student rates to attend these national conferences and, in some cases, even have scholarships to attend for free. 

Search for alumni working at the company on Terrapins Connect and reach out to anyone who indicates they can help you in regards to “Workplace Issues” or “Gender and Sexual Identity.” For LGBTQ+ identifying students, there is also a specific group that you can join on Terrapins Connect. There are also Asian Pacific American Terps and Hispanic/Latino Terps group pages that students can join.

Your Rights in the Workplace

On-Campus Resources

UMD Legal Aid provides free assistance to currently enrolled full-time students for various topics including documentation, employment, and discrimination in the workplace. 

• Conflict Resolvers Network (CRN)/ UMD Ombuds Services
• Undergraduate Student Legal Aid
• Graduate Student Legal Aid
• Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct, University of Maryland
• File a Report
• Report a Bias Incident

External Resources

• Disability Rights Maryland
• Workers' compensation (injury-related disabilities caused in the workplace)
• Worker’s rights
• Prohibited discrimination in the workplace.
• FAQs:  DACA and Workplace Rights
• Title VII Law: Under the act, employers are prohibited from discrimination in recruiting, hiring, promoting, and other employment contexts, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or pregnancy.
• Title I of the American with Disabilities Act: Individuals with disabilities are explicitly protected from employment discrimination
• Rehabilitation Act: Pertaining to federal government employment, it is illegal to discriminate against a qualified person with a disability.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  • If you believe that you have been discriminated against, first file a complaint within the company based on their procedures and/or file a complaint with Human Resources. An EEOC charge of discrimination can be filed if the issue persists.
• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
  • The Office of Civil Rights allows you to file a complaint if you feel you have been discriminated against at an educational institution. Learn how to file a complaint here.
• Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act
  • A guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act, who is covered, and what your rights are.