Black/African American/African Diaspora

You are not alone in your career design journey. Here are some tools and resources you can use, but don’t hesitate to reach out for support by participating in coaching groups and the career studio – where your questions can be answered and tailored resources provided! RSVP to attend coaching labs here. 

Employer Engagement and Career Design partners with the following offices on campus to provide support for students and alumni with underrepresented racial, cultural, and/or ethnic identities to develop and achieve your career goals:

• John D. O’Bryant African American Center

Check out the main Diversity & Inclusion Resources page to find more resources.

Professional organizations and associations are a great way to make connections, look for jobs, and further your own professional development. These groups unite and inform people who work in the same industry or profession. There are many advantages to joining associations such as networking opportunities, conferences and forums, and job fairs. 

Career Tip: If you cannot find a professional association opportunity that fits with your industry/profession below, conduct a web search to look up “Professional Association” along with your industry/profession title. You can also network with professionals to learn about opportunities within your specific industry/profession. 

Business 

• National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), Boston Chapter – Promoting diversity of Black professionals in business, this professional organization is made up of African American graduates with MBAs and advanced degrees. 
• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.) – A nonprofit membership association for people of color in Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Information Technology, and other related business professions. (Student Membership: $20)

Science and Engineering

• National Society of Black Engineers, Boston Professionals – Representing Black engineers, as well as helping them succeed professionally and providing opportunities for them to give back to their communities.
• American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), Greater Boston Chapter – Specialties include energy policy, technology and the environment. 

Law 

• Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association – Providing a valuable network and visible presence for attorneys of color within the Massachusetts legal community.
• Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys (MBWA) – The MBWA offers its members a forum to share knowledge and experiences as well as focus on issues of importance to the membership and the community. The MBWA promotes pro bono activities, community activism, and the successful balance of family and career obligations. (Law Students Membership: Free)
• National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) – A nationwide organization formed to articulate and promote the needs and goals of Black law students and effect change in the legal community.

Healthcare

• National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) – Representing Black nurses in the US, Caribbean, and Africa.
• New England Regional Black Nurses Association (NERBNA) – NERBNA is a repository of information about nurses of African descent in order to increase their numbers, facilitate networking, and monitor professionals’ activities.
• Student National Medical Association (SNMA) – The largest organization focused on the needs and concerns of African American medical students and residents.

Media

• Boston Association of Black Journalists – A professional organization for Black professionals working in print, radio, television, new media, and related areas.

Tech

• Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) – Open to African Americans in data processing and related fields. 
• Blacks in Technology (BIT) – A professional platform for PoC in technology, BIT serves to increase the visibility and participation of PoC in tech through community, media, mentorship, and stewardship. 

Government

• Blacks in Government (BIG) – BIG promotes equality, excellence, and opportunity at all levels. BIG provides advocacy, training, networking, scholarships, mentor programs, STEM & Oratorical competitions, as well as leadership development.
• National Forum for Black Public Administration – Committed to strengthening the position of Blacks within the field of public administration by increasing the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations, and to groom and prepare younger aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.

Human Resources

• National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), New England Chapter – Committed to advancing and sharing knowledge of the theoretical and practical applications of Human Resource Management for Human Resources practitioners, particularly those of African descent. 

Other

• Black Career Women’s Network BCWN – A national career development organization dedicated to fostering the professional growth and success of black women. 
• #HIREBLACK – A community that has been built to be a safe & brave space intersecting social justice & professional development. Their mission is to provide Black womxn with resources to connect and develop professionally. 
• Boston Branch NAACP, Young Adult Committee – Ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and striving to eliminate race-based discrimination.

One of the best ways to network and to find students who share your career goals is to become involved in a student organization on campus! Listed below are a number of student-run professional groups that have a specific interest in the advancement of Black/African American/African Diaspora student populations. 

Business

• Black Business Oriented Student Society (BBOSS)

Science and Engineering

• Black Engineering Student Society (BESS) 
• College of Science Diversity Advisory Council (COSSDAC)

Law

• Black Law Students Association

Health

• Minority Association of Pre-health Students

Other

• Graduate Students of Color Collective 

A full listing of NU student organizations can be found online here.

Career resources and support for students among Black/African American/African Diaspora identities: 

• African American Careers – Includes a search index to locate job opportunities across the country in any job sector. 

• Black Career Women’s Network – Provides a great tool in your search for employment opportunities. Search by keyword, location, and/or category. 

• Black Enterprise  – Job search engine.

• Black Equal Opportunity Employment Journal – Includes job postings, virtual events, and webinars. 

• Black Jobs – Created to promote well-paying job opportunities for African American job seekers and help to reduce the high rate of unemployment in Black communities.
• Elivade – Elivade is a career community for people of color. Join thousands of diverse professionals and peers to gain resources, career opportunities, cultivate peer-to-peer mentorship and grow careers together.
• #HIREBLACK – Offers exclusive events, resources, and an invite-only member portal designed for the career advancement of Black womxn and their supporters. 
• Jopwell – Career advancement platform for Black, Latinx, and Native American students & professionals. Includes jobs & internships search feature with their partner companies. 
• Shtudy – Study screens and trains qualified Black, Latinx, and Native American software engineering job seekers and then match them with tech recruiters at Fortune 500 companies and high growth startups who support diverse and inclusive work cultures.
• The Black Collegian –  A career and self-development magazine targeted to African-American students and other students of color seeking information on careers, job opportunities, graduate/professional school, internships/co-ops, study abroad programs, etc.
• The Black Perspective – Includes a career search engine, resource links to organizations dedicated to helping African-Americans in the community. 
• Top 21 African American Professional Groups

Additional career resources and career tips can be found on the main Diversity & Inclusion Resources page. 

Because we learn from experience, you can’t just think your way to a fulfilling career: you need to test things out. 

Career Tip: If you cannot find a professional development opportunity that fits with your industry/profession below, conduct a web search to look up “Professional Association” along with your industry/profession title. You can also network with professionals to learn about opportunities within your specific industry/profession. 

• Choose a professional association and sign up to attend their upcoming events
• Check out NUworks posts co-op, internship, and job listings.

B.L.A.C.K. and L.A.T.I.N.X.

B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Accessing Consciousness through Knowledge) and L.A.T.I.N.X. (Latinx Accessing Their Intellect through Networking and Exchange) provide students of the African Diaspora and Latinx students the opportunity to interact with prominent Black and Latinx professionals. This program includes off-campus site visits, professional development workshops & career planning tailored to the emerging Black and Latinx professional interested in acquiring skills to navigate and move up in the workplace.

Opportunities include:

– B.L.A.C.K. and L.A.T.I.N.X. Professional Immersion Experience during Spring Break

– B.L.A.C.K. and L.A.T.I.N.X. Treks (site visits to individual employers)

The program is a collaboration between the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, Latinx Student Cultural Center, and Employer Engagement and Career Design. For more information and upcoming opportunities, visit the B.L.A.C.K. and L.A.T.I.N.X. webpage.