GLBT career workshop to be held

A workshop developed specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students will be held Tuesday in the Kelley School of Business. The program, titled "Sexual Orientation and Career Decision Making," will be presented by Mark J. Brostoff, associate director of technology and communications for the Business Placement Office. The workshops will begin at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in Business 211.\nBrostoff said this is one of the many workshops the business school is offering throughout the semester. \n"This workshop is one of 65 Advantage discussion sessions offered in X220 (Career Perspectives) and X420 (Career Placement)," Brostoff said. "Several new 'live' sessions were developed by BPO professional staff to meet the needs and desires of various student populations." \nThe problems gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students deal with in the workplace are different than most, he said.\n"Even though the 'nuts and bolts' of resume preparation, job search and effective interview techniques may be similar for most students, the GLBT faces unique issues in the workplace," he said. "For instance, a GLBT student might research a company's policy on domestic partner benefits and corporate non-discrimination. In addition, networking and evaluating a competitive culture takes a different strategy for the GLBT student." \nBrostoff said the material will discuss recent research, publications and Web sites on the subject of orientation and career planning. \nHelen Harrell, an advisor for support group OUT, said the program will provide a great opportunity for GLBT students. \n"They (GLBT students) are in a relatively safe environment at IU, where they can be who they are," Harrell said. "The workplace isn't as lenient usually, and discrimination is also something they must be prepared to deal with. GLBT students have to decide how to be 'out' in their job." \nGraduate student Jason Jones, president of OUT, said he is enthusiastic about the workshop as well. \n"I think the program is a wonderful idea," Jones said. "As an organization that seeks to provide a variety of GLBT programming to the IU campus, we could do nothing but support such an event. It's practical and informative, providing a service to a community that is often silenced by the mainstream culture."\nBrostoff said he anticipates students will learn useful techniques that will help them in the workplace. \n"I hope that students attending the workshop will gain a perspective on how to 'market themselves' to gay-friendly companies; how to evaluate a company's diversity and commitment to non-discrimination," Brostoff said. "This is a great opportunity for GLBT students to discuss career planning with their peers"