Identity-Based Career Education

The Wasserman Center offers a wide variety of identity based programming that is centered around inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity. Learn more about our programs below.

Cohort Programs

Diversity Internship & Career Preparation (DICP) Program

DICP is designed to prepare and promote historically underrepresented students and facilitate their exploration of career opportunities that celebrate workplace diversity. This program aims to assist students in developing job search and networking skills, improving resume and cover letter writing skills, and empowering students to find their best fit internship.

Student Population: Undergraduate first-year and sophomore students that self-identify as students of color and/or from other marginalized identities
Application Required: Applications are available on Handshake on December 1st
Program Timeframe: Spring Semester
Contact: career.diversity@nyu.edu

First Class Professional Development & Mentorship Program

This award-winning professional development and mentorship program allows first generation* undergraduate students the opportunity to work on advancing their career goals. Students meet with a dedicated career coach and their assigned mentor, who is selected based on their career path, industry affiliation, and personal identities. Participating students are expected to meet with their mentors and career coaches at least twice each semester and participate in monthly virtual events aimed to foster career development.

*NYU defines first-generation students following the Common App definition, which are students for whom neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Student Population: Undergraduate juniors and seniors that self-identify as first-generation
Application Required: Applications are available on Handshake on August 1st
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.diversity@nyu.edu

STEM Diversity Career Preparation Program (DCPP)

DCPP is a program designed to prepare historically underrepresented NYU engineering and technology-oriented students to gain career skills and prepare for internships and full-time positions through employer-led skill-based workshops. Students will have the opportunity to learn in a small group setting from industry experts, as well as build their peer and employer networks.

Student Population: All students that self-identify as students of color and/or from other marginalized identities interested in engineering and technology
Application Required: Applications are available on Handshake February 1, application for this program is selective
Program Timeframe: Spring Semester
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

Event Series

First-Generation Graduate Student Career Series

These events are designed for first-generation* graduate students to engage with each other and share their unique experiences, as well as learn how to navigate graduate school and prepare for their careers after graduation. Previous topics include: Overview of Wasserman Services, Sharing Your Personal Narrative, Networking on National First-Gen Student Day, Student Experiences Dialogue, and Resumes and Cover Letters.

*NYU defines first-generation students following the Common App definition, which are students for whom neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree or higher

Student Population: Graduate students that self-identify as first-generation
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: gradstudentcareer@nyu.edu

International Student Career Series

A series of events for international students to gain a better understanding of the U.S. job search and workplace culture, develop the confidence to leverage their international advantage in the job search, learn from peers, and develop community at NYU. Through workshops and professional conversation hours, students learn about career strategies specific to international students. Previous topics include: Leveraging Your International Student Identity, Networking for International Students, The Job Search for International Students, The Value of Small Talk in the U.S., and Understanding the Job Offer.

Student Population: All self-identified international students
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

LGBTQ+ Career Series

In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Center, this series creates spaces for students to develop effective strategies for navigating the professional world through the lens of their LGBTQ+ identities. Tailored workshops allow students to connect with peers and working professionals, share their experiences through educational conversations, and identify ways to showcase their authentic selves beyond NYU. Previous toics include: Queer Career Connect Networking Night (partnered with the NYU LGBTQ+ Alumni Network), How to Find LGBTQ+ Friendly Employers, Deconstructing Professional Work Attire, and Speed Networking.

Student Population: All self-identified LGBTQ+ students
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

Real Talk Series

In partnership with the Center for Multicultural and Educational Programs (CMEP), this series features a diverse panel of employers to discuss challenges and triumphs in the workplace. Speakers will also provide tools for success to help students of diverse identities gain helpful career insights and feel better prepared for their internship and job search. This series will have multiple sessions in which one topic will be explored. Previous toipcs include: Careers in Finance & Consulting, STEM & Tech, Non-Profit & Government, and Arts, Media, & Communication.

Student Population: All self-identified students of color and/or from other marginalized identities
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.diversity@nyu.edu

Students of Color Career Dialogues

These discussion-based sessions allow students to explore the distinct career barriers that students of color face when looking for jobs and internships, along with themes commonly experienced by people of color in the workplace. Students will gain confidence in their ability to evaluate an organization’s diversity and inclusion practices as well as how to effectively showcase diverse experiences and identities throughout the job search process.

Student Population: All self-identified students of color
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

Women in Tech Speaker Series

Learn from professional guests in the tech industry and beyond as they share their backgrounds and experiences with student who self-identify as women interested in tech (including women of transgender, non-binary, and cisgender experiences). This series aims to build more inclusive spaces in the tech industry for women-identified students through participating in dialogues, building community with one another, and inspiring and expanding their networks. Speakers vary each year based on student feedback and have included perspectives from both industry and academia.

Student Population: All self-identified women students
Open Sessions: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: Fall and Spring Semester
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

Additional Identity-Based Events

Women’s Networking Night

An opportunity for students who self-identify as women (including women of transgender, non-binary, and cisgender experiences) to engage in small-group discussions on a variety of topics such as work-life balance, mentorship, career opportunities, women in underrepresented industries, as well as general resources and support.

Student Population: All self-identified women students
Open Session: Registration available on Handshake
Program Timeframe: This event takes place in March during Women’s History Month, which annually highlights the contributions and achievements of all women to events in history and contemporary society.
Contact: career.development@nyu.edu

Identity-Based Resources

Black Creative Stars - Empowers young black people with the opportunity to Learn, Create, Distribute and Monetize afrocentric contents across the global digital entertainment landscape.
Blacks in Technology (BiT) Foundation - Leverages a global community to receive discounts on training and certifications, technical products and services, access to career resources, and exclusive professional networking and social events.
CareerSpring - Houses career information, advice, connections, and job opportunities to unlock first generation student potential and facilitate high-quality employment.
Emma Bowen Foundation - Recruits promising students of color and places them in multi-year paid internships at some of the nation’s leading media companies.
Hive Diversity - Connects students with employers on this virtual recruiting platform as early career professionals from self-identified diverse backgrounds.
Inroads - Creates pathways to careers for diverse high school and college students across the country.
Jopwell - Advances the careers of students and professionals of color while partnering with companies who know that representation matters.
Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) - Equips African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans with the skills, coaching and connections they need to lead organizations and communities worldwide.
ModernGuild - Recruits, screens, and trains motivated college students to deliver a diverse selection of workforce ready candidates to companies at a fraction of the traditional cost in finance and consulting fields.
Odyssey - Connects underrepresented students with inspiring professionals via 1 on 1 virtual appointments.
SourceAbled - Provides a career portal and guidance for people with disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.
Sponsors for Educational Opportunities (SEO) - Recruits and trains high achieving Black, Latinx, and Native American undergrads with coaching, training, and access to challenging summer internships that lead to coveted full-time jobs.
The T. Howard Foundation (THF) - Promotes diversity in media and entertainment by increasing the number of diverse and underrepresented groups and underserved communities within the industry through an internship program.

Additional NYU Services