Students, alumni and all who value inclusion can connect at Pride in the Workplace 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Wick Alumni Center.

The free event features informal networking and moderated discussions on how to enter and progress in the workforce authentically while finding employers who value and support LGBTQA+ employees.

“This is a significant way for students to learn about inclusivity in the workplace and gain insights into the job search, interviewing, career growth and more,” said Harrison Lloyd, senior economics major from Pflugerville, Texas, who served on the event’s planning committee. “Students of every major can ask questions and have meaningful conversations between alumni, employers and other students.”

The event’s program, in which attendees can come as their schedule allows, includes:

• 3 p.m. – Sessions featuring conversations with alumni and community members.
• 4:15 p.m. – Networking tips from a career coach.
• 4:30 p.m. – Networking reception between students and alumni.
• 5-6 p.m. – Cocktail reception for alumni, allies and friends ages 21+. Appetizers and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks will be available.

The three sessions are 15-minute conversations between two alumni or community members and are moderated by Nathan Hé, assistant director of alumni engagement for the Nebraska Alumni Association. Session topics cover the job search, interviewing and career growth.

One of the session conversation leaders, Austin Christensen, class of 2017, a senior ad operations specialist at Yahoo!, will share his experience evaluating employers during the job search.

“LGBTQA+ people need to know they are safe at their workplace and that their workplace will support them throughout the time they are there,” said Christensen, who serves as the global lead for Prism, the company’s LGBTQA+ employee resource group. “It’s important to know which companies and organizations are LGBTQA+ friendly. It’s also great to network with other LGBTQA+ people in the workplace so you have someone with first-hand experience at their job and what it’s like being out at their place of work.”

Half of the event time is dedicated to informal networking. Students will get some networking tips before meeting alumni and community members.

“This isn’t a career fair and purposefully planned to bridge connections. Because of the informal nature of the event, I believe it will allow me and other students to connect more authentically,” said Lloyd.

The last hour features a special reception for alumni, allies and friends who are 21 years or older. With the Nebraska Alumni Association as one of the co-hosts of the event, the association looks to welcome more alumni into the recently launched Pride Alumni Network.

“Nebraska Alumni Association acknowledges the challenges in our community and is working to not only bridge the connection gaps by launching the Pride Alumni Network but foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for our LGBTQA+ alumni and the Husker community,” Lloyd said.

Attendees should RSVP by Oct. 4. Students can RSVP on Handshake. Alumni, university faculty and staff can RSVP through the Nebraska Alumni Association.

Pride in the Workplace is coordinated by the Nebraska Alumni Association, LGBTQA+ Center, University Career Services and Pride in Business student organization with support from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, College of Business and Pride Alumni Network.