You don't have to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to go to the LBGTA Diversity Career Fair at Western Michigan University's main campus, you just have to be comfortable working for an employer who is welcoming to those individuals.
The university's first Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Ally Diversity Career Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Trimpe Building, located on Knollwood Avenue.
LBGT student services coordinator Jennifer Hsu says the career fair was organized to highlight employers who value LGBT individuals and their allies. "We wanted to make sure current students are as successful as they can be finding the companies that back who these students are."
A lot of people want to work for this kind of company but don't know how to find them, Hsu says. Her office points out that the largest and most successful U.S. businesses have proven--across industry and geography--that LBGT workplace equality is good for business.
Hsu says they hope the event will be something they repeat annually.
So far, 14 businesses and nonprofits from Southwest Michigan have committed to participate in the career fair: Alzheimer's Association; Michigan Great Lakes Chapter; Borgess Health; Bronson Healthcare Group; Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative; Geek Easy Computers; Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan; Kalamazoo Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services; Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center; Nalco, an Ecolab Company; Parent to Parent of Southwest Michigan; PNC; Prudential Insurance Company of America; Residential Opportunities, Inc.; and YWCA of Kalamazoo.
The LBGTA Diversity Career Fair is sponsored by the WMU Office of LBGT Student Services and WMU Career and Student Employment Services. Those attending should dress in casual business attire.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Jennifer Hsu, WMU Office of LBGT Student Services
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