UIS Career Development Center receives gold certification from national LGBTQ group

The University of Illinois Springfield Career Development Center has received a gold certification from the nonprofit organization OUT for Work for their dedication to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students. This is the first time UIS has been honored with the award.

OUT for Work surveyed career centers around the country to find out what resources were available to LGBTQ students. The survey gauged the current career tools, available resources, and programmatic efforts accessible to LGBTQ students through campus career centers. Survey questions focused on the areas of outreach, resources, training, and support.

“The UIS Career Development Center offers LGBTQ-friendly career services tailored toward each student’s individual needs,” said Tammy Craig, center director. “Such services include assisting the student in navigating the myriad of factors related to career planning, including resume writing, interviewing strategies, evaluating friendly work environments, and the job search process”.

Each applicable question on the OUT for Work survey was worth 1 point. Based on the total score, career centers received a rating of A+ gold, gold, silver, or bronze level of certification. Those scores are calculated by percentages. Career centers that score 100 percent earn the A+ gold, 90 to 99 percent earn gold, 80 to 89 percent earn silver, and 79 percent or lower, earn bronze level of certification.

According to their website, “OUT for Work functions as a complimentary component in the total educational experience of LGBTQ college students; effectuating change in the development, evaluation, initiation, and implementation of career plans and opportunities.” The nationally recognized nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating, preparing, and empowering LGBTQ college students for the transition from academia to the workplace.

The gold certification will be awarded during the National Association of Colleges and Employers annual conference in Las Vegas this June.

For more information, contact Tammy Craig at 217/206-6508 or email craig.tammy@uis.edu.