Previous Event Highlights

In Spring 2025, the NEIU Office of Career Development hosted a landmark panel discussion at the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs at NEIU. 

This event brought together a diverse panel of professionals to share their real-world experiences navigating workplace culture, identity, and professional boundaries.

Panelist Highlights

 "I wanted to be my authentic self, as hiding my identity was exhausting." 

— Jeffrey Hamm, Former VP of Digital Experience at Ulta Beauty, panelist.

"The education part is fine because I can speak about my story and my experiences, but it's important to note that my story is not the same as everyone else's. Don't generalize." 

— TJ Sandstrom, Corporate Sales Professional, panelist.

Key Takeaways from the Panel

• The Power of Choice: Panelists agreed that disclosing your identity is a personal decision that should be based on your comfort and the organization's specific culture.
• Screening for Your Needs: Experts suggested using "soundboarding" during interviews to establish a baseline of comfort and evaluate if an employer meets your personal needs.
• Defining Boundaries: One panelist shared the importance of maintaining professional boundaries to avoid feeling forced to disclose personal information, noting that "Work is not my family".
• The Choice to Educate: While sharing personal stories can be powerful, panelists reminded students that it is not their responsibility to educate colleagues on LGBTQIA+ issues.
• Recognizing Nuance: The discussion addressed the specific layers of experience for women of color and cautioned against generalizing LGBTQIA+ narratives.

Community Impact

The event provided students with a unique opportunity to connect with the out-of-campus community and find supportive professional relationships. As one psychology student reflected, the town hall highlighted the necessity of finding diverse communities to fulfill needs that one workplace alone might not meet.

Read the Full Story: For a deeper look at the discussion and more student takeaways, read the full coverage by the NEIU Independent: NEIU Students and Panelists Discuss Being Out & Proud at Work