At LSE Careers, our LGBTQ+ events programme aims to create opportunities for students who identify as LGBTQ+ to develop their professional community with LSE alumni and inclusive employer representatives. Similarly, our dedicated resources page provides a range of guidance around disclosure at work, connecting with allies, and building your community as an LGBTQ+ student or graduate.

Here, we summarise LSE alumni advice from one of our recent LGBTQ+ student and alumni panel events. Their suggestions comprise five top tips for how you can craft your own community as an LGBTQ+ professional.

1. Do your research

Don’t let fear dictate your career decisions – search for the right avenues whilst prioritising your safety. For example, what is your target employer doing to support their LGBTQ+ staff community?

If you’re unsure where to start, our LSE Careers blog provides 10 useful questions to help you identify LGBTQ+ inclusive employers.

2. Find your people

Go where you are celebrated – when you start working with a new employer, spend time learning about their LGBTQ+ presence and opportunities to connect.

3. Build communities, not just networks

Focus on purpose, meaning, and those deeper connections. This also helps you to know the field and stand out to a future employer – your community is an asset.

4. Embrace your lived experience

Your personal lived experience is of great value for educating others around how to engage with the LGBTQ+ community, including contributing to safe and equitable spaces for LGBTQ+ professionals. Use your lived experience to develop your career – your identity has value.

5. Be both proactive and patient

Be prepared that the resources you need to thrive might not be available straightaway. However, you can build and share these resources, and it’s worth thinking about who might be best placed to support you with this.

In summary…

We encourage you to make use of this advice both during your graduate job search and as you transition from LSE into the workplace. Take time to nurture your community and build connections for mutual benefit. To find out more about upcoming LGBTQ+ student events, both internal to LSE and across London, check out our events on CareerHub.

Book an appointment on CareerHub to speak with a careers consultant about any questions you might have around connecting with LGBTQ+ professionals and building your community.