You may be thinking about how you can get involved in activism/social justice in and outside of school or work. Sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to think of things that you can do on your own, so we are here to help! Getting involved doesn’t mean that you have to take a large leap, you can start somewhere small yet meaningful. Society needs all the help we can give to help create a society where all members are valued equally. Lucky for us, the Center for Career Development has curated a number of blog posts over time that can help you take your first steps into getting involved. Here are a few posts that you should check out:
1. Mentorship as a Tool for Growth, Inclusion, and Equity
Mentors and mentees have a 2-way relationship that allows them to learn and grow from one another. However, it has been found that some traditional mentorship approaches can lead to inequitable practices. It is important to ensure that the mentorship approach used is inclusive and equitable. This blog starts off by stating why mentorship is important, moves into the difference between exclusive mentorship vs. inclusive/equitable mentorship, and ends with tips on how to be more equitable. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, there is a link under tip number 4 towards the end of the blog post that you can check out to help you get started.
2. How to be an Ally for Undocumented Students
We are in a time where undocumented students need our support. “More than 450,000 undocumented students are enrolled in higher education, according to a 2020 report released by the New American Economy (NAE) and Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. Of these students, 216,000 are DACA-eligible– they either hold DACA or would have been eligible for DACA.” This post provides you with a number of tips that will help you become an ally for undocumented students and even lists a number of organizations that you can join in support of this cause.
3. Joining the Conversation: A Pathway Towards Inclusivity
Sometimes there may be topics that you want to discuss in regards to identity, but, you may find it challenging to bring it up. These are conversations that need to be held even if it may be uncomfortable to initiate. This article highlights different ways that can help you take a step towards starting these conversations. Some of the methods it highlights include the importance of joining book clubs, affinity groups and participating in community service activities.
4. A Guide to Using Pronouns and Other Gender-Inclusive Language in the Office
Language is powerful and you want to make sure that the language you are using is making the people around you feel respected and welcomed. Sometimes you may say things without realizing that you are offending your coworker, classmate, family member, etc. However, by using gender-inclusive language you are actively creating a space where those around you feel respected & welcomed. This article breaks down the importance of using gender-inclusive language and suggests changes that you can make to adjust your language. It also discusses what pronouns are and why they are important. Remember, using gender-inclusive language isn’t something that you should only use in the office. It is something that you should use all the time at home, school, stores, etc.
5. Want to Make a Difference? Consider Virtual Volunteering!
You may feel as if COVID-19 has put a halt on things that you were looking forward to doing, including volunteering. However, we are here to share with you that you can still volunteer your time to many important causes virtually. It’s important to start with doing your own research and thinking about which nonprofit organizations are important to you. Towards the end of the blog post there is an extensive list of organizations with opportunities to get involved with that can help you get started.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
