2020 Identity Career Series
As the semester comes to a close, it's time to celebrate your unique self. Hiatt recognizes that you bring numerous experiences, skills and perspectives both to the classroom and the workplace and, we want you to further discover and embrace them.
Below is programming from our 'Unleash Your Identity Career Series.' These interactive activities provide you with the opportunity to tap into yourself and show you how to leverage that in the workplace. These programs also help support Hiatt's partnership with the Brandeis Black Action Plan and our commitment to diversity.
I Am Remarkable
December 1 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
When was the last time you celebrated YOU?
I Am Remarkable is an initiative that empowers women and other underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond. Many of us struggle when it comes to talking about our own accomplishments. Cultural and gender modesty norms as well as impostor syndrome can prevent anyone from acknowledging their remarkable attributes and expressing their achievements.
Event Recap- Cultural barriers and societal norms can make it more difficult for women and other underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace
- The celebration and acknowledgment of success is an important part of career advancement. Women and underrepresented groups are encouraged to develop good habits of practicing self-promotion for themselves and also during times when they notice a colleague may not be receiving the acknowledgment they deserve
- Stating your accomplishments both in writing and out loud is a helpful activity to acknowledge your remarkable attributes
- Through practice and awareness of self-promotion and supporting colleagues with their self-promotion, we can help to turn the tide and begin to affect positive change in workplace culture
Equity in Action with Jessica Sanon, MBA’17
December 2 | 6:00 - 6:45 pm
It starts with an idea.
Jessica Sanon, MBA’17 wanted young black girls and women to feel inspired and supported as they further pursued their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In 2017 she launched sySTEMic Flow, a social enterprise that aims to increase the number of black women who pursue and graduate from an academic institution with a STEM-related degree. Not only does this program adhere to the academic relevance to STEM, it also attacks prominent social issues that young women need to know in order to defeat the culture of power and break down barriers.
Event Recap
- Jessica shared her career journey and how her identity as a woman of color and English language learner impacted her pursuit of Mathematics.
- In her undergraduate program, she noticed that students who came from affluent backgrounds and who had the advantage of taking college prep classes were better positioned for success than those students whose high schools did not have the resources to provide advanced classes. She found determination in that struggles and was inspired to become an excellent advocate for herself when she needed extra support
- As the only woman of color in her class at grad school, she became acutely aware of the lack of representation in Mathematics - the inspiration for her social enterprise sySTEMicFlow
- Jessica encouraged students that it is ok if they don’t know exactly what they want to do while an undergraduate. As long as you think about the kinds of stuff that you are interested in, you can use your undergraduate experience to identify options that are connected to your interest
- Her final piece of advice was the importance of connecting with alumni for mentorship support and learning about career pathways you wouldn't know about when you get to college
Be Your Authentic Self in the World of Work
December 3 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to sharing aspects of your personality, identity and sexual orientation in the workplace. You may be weighing what, when, where and how coupled with your own concerns and hesitations.
This interactive Brandeis alumni panel is made up of professionals with various backgrounds and experiences. Together, they will lead a discussion about their personal experiences and journeys as well as answer questions related to identity at work.
Guest presenters:
Renee Chapman-Best '81 (BA in sociology), program manager at Los Angeles LGBT Center
Abel Flint '15 (BA in business), senior marketing manager @ Suzy and founder of Out in Research
Aliya Bean '16 (BA in history and WGS), currently a master in public policy candidate at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Previously served as the interim executive director and legislative aide of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Meet with Hiatt
The Career Team collaborates with students on discovering who they are, what they want and how to get there. To help you find the best person to speak with, we've created new pages to highlight our areas of specialty and interest.
Learn more about the Hiatt Career Team and make an appointment.
For additional diversity career resources, review our identity at work pages.