Identity and Indecision: LGBTQ Students and Vocational Development Morgan Johnson & Chris Venable Bowling Green State University

Ground Rules Share ideas but also share space Lean into discomfort and put learning first Respect differing ideas Appreciate intent but name impact Be brave and vulnerable Others?

Language Refresher Lesbian, gay, bisexual vs. straight/hetero Identities: sexual orientation Trans(gender) vs. cis(gender) Identities: gender identity Queer Label that may apply to sexual orientation or gender identity (as in genderqueer) Others These are not the only identities Asexual, non-binary, intersex, pansexual, etc etc etc

Particular Challenges for LGBTQ Students in the Workplace The American LGBTQ Workforce

Statistics 21% of LGBT individuals report being discriminated against at work in hiring, pay, or promotion 47% of trans and gender non-conforming individuals said the same Gay and bisexual men make between 10-32% less than straight men in the same job It is legal in 29 states for individuals to be fired based on sexual orientation The same is true in 32 states based on gender identity Statistics from The Williams Institute

Statistics Map from the Human Rights Campaign

Employment Laws State/ProvinceSexual OrientationGender Identity IllinoisYes IndianaYes, but for public employees only OhioYes, but for public employees only No OntarioYes MichiganYes, but for public employees only WisconsinYesNo Does your state/province prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity? Data from the Human Rights Campaign and Ontario Human Rights Commission

Vocational and LGBTQ Identities Connections for Students Developing Both

Dual Developmental Processes Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students in early stages of their sexual identity development exhibit higher vocational indecision and lower vocational maturity (Schmidt & Nilsson, 2006; Tomlinson & Fassinger, 2003). This is true for both college students and students in high school Likely true of trans students as well but there is currently no research on trans students’ career development Cognitive focus on LGBTQ identity development limits mental resources available to focus on vocational development

Dual Developmental Processes Campus climate and social support also influences the career development of LGBTQ students (Schmidt, Miles, & Welsh, 2011). Professionals have an obligation to create a positive campus climate and serve LGBTQ students effectively

Implications for Practice May be challenging to help students who are more focused on their LGBTQ identity development Know when to refer to other resources (LGBT Student Center, Counseling Center, etc.) These students may need more clear/focused guidance to be able to make vocational/major decisions

Small Group Discussion

Questions to Consider What does this research mean to you? Have you worked with LGBTQ students who are struggling to develop their vocational identity? If yes, how did you respond? If no, how might you respond if a student did come to you with such a challenge?

Social Cognitive Career Theory Career Counseling Theory-to-Practice

Handout on Theory Handout is coming around—Social Cognitive Career Theory Take 5 minutes to read through it After 5 minutes, we will discuss the handout in small groups

Questions to Consider What does this mean to you? What does it suggest to you about serving students in general? How does this relate to other theories or strategies you already use? How might you use this in your work? How might you use this with LGBTQ students specifically? How might you make it better or more relevant to your work? What might you change about the theory?

Brainstorming Session Applying What You’ve Learned

New Groups This Time! Speak with someone new to discuss the following questions: How might you use Social Cognitive Career Theory with students? How might this look with LGBTQ students in particular? Could you see yourself using Social Cognitive Career Theory in your day-to-day practice? What steps do you need to take to implement these strategies? What roadblocks do you foresee? Use your handout to make notes!

Group Sharing Would anyone like to share their experiences with LGBTQ students? Ideas for changes or new ways of working with students? What steps will it take to implement those changes? Any roadblocks? Ideas for changes to staff training/professional development? What steps will it take to implement those changes? Any roadblocks?

References Schmidt, C. K., Miles, J. R., & Welsh, A. C. (2011). Perceived discrimination and social support: The influences on career development and college adjustment of LGBT college students. Journal of Career Development, 38, doi: / Schmidt, C. K., & Nilsson, J. E. (2006). The effects of simultaneous developmental processes: Factors relating to the career development of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. The Career Development Quarterly, 55, Sharf, R. S. (2013) Applying career development theory to counseling (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Tomlinson, M. J., & Fassinger, R. E. (2003). Career development, lesbian identity development, and campus climate among lesbian college students. Journal of College Student Development, 44, doi: /csd

Thank you! Chris VenableMorgan on on Twitter