African American/Black Students

Exploring an element of your identity as it relates to your unique career development journey is important. You might be here seeking support groups and resources to help you navigate through the reflective or actionable stages of transitioning to life after SU.  We have curated sample resources here, including the story below.

Here are local, national, and/or global links with brief descriptions on how and why you might be able to utilize them. Please keep in mind that these links are simply a sampling of potential resources.

LOCAL:

Seattle Urban League Young Professional Chapter (SULYP): urbanleague.org/young-professionals/

NATIONAL:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): naacp.org

GLOBAL: The Center for Global Inclusion: centreforglobalinclusion.org/

Whether you’re an undergraduate student, graduate student, or alumni within one year of graduation, the Career Engagement Office invites you to come in for an individual appointment to help expand and/or refine your exploration.

Schedule A Virtual Career Coaching Appointment

Schedule An In-Person Career Coaching Appointment

Joining a professional association can be a great way to connect with people in your field/industry and get advice from people who do the work you are interested in every day! The organizations listed below are for individuals who identify as Black and/or African-American with opportunities to connect, engage with online resources and house job boards. Many organizations have free resources for non-members or offer collegiate chapters. Information for existing student clubs/chapters can be found here. If you are interested in starting a student club contact the Angel Asuncion-Reed at the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). 

Business

• National Association of Black Accountants: The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.), is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for black professionals in the accounting, finance, and related business professions. (
• National Association of African Americans in Human Resources: NAAAHR exists to provide a unique global forum for the career development of Black and African American human resources professionals. 
• National Black MBA Association: The mission of the National Black MBA Association® is to lead in the creation of educational, wealth-building, and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented throughout their careers as students, entrepreneurs, and professionals. 

Design

• Organization of Black Designers: OBD is a national professional organization of interior, industrial, architectural, fashion, and graphic designers dedicated to promoting the visibility, empowerment, education, and interaction of its membership and the understanding and value that diverse design perspectives contribute to world culture and commerce.

Engineering and Science

• American Association of Blacks in Energy: Since its founding in 1977, the AABE organization has always been committed to building the pipeline of minority energy professionals. 
• National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers: NOBCChE is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to assisting black and other minority students and professionals in fully realizing their potential in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits in chemistry, chemical engineering, and allied fields. 
• National Society of Black Engineers: NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.” 
• National Society of Black Physicists: NSBP is the largest and most recognizable organization devoted to the growth, development, and advancement of the African-American physics community. 

General

• 100 Black Men of America: Through its intentional focus on mentorship across a lifetime, 100 Black Men of America’s local chapters prepare young men and women to realize their highest potential, by creating viable solutions to address local and national issues affecting African American communities. 

Government

• Blacks in Government: Enable all present and future Black employees in Local, State, and Federal governments to have the ability to maximize their career opportunities and provide a mechanism for inclusion, growth, and advocacy. 

Healthcare

• National Black Nurses Association: NBNA's mission is to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color. 

Law and Criminal Justice

• National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice: Created in 1974, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) has made a goal of achieving equal justice for blacks and other minorities 
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: Their mission is to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities, and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. 

Media

• National Association of Black Journalists: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of Black journalists worldwide. 

Tech

• ​Black in Data: Black in Data represents a community of academics, professionals, and students working in various areas of data. We gather to support, learn from, and share opportunities with one another and ultimately increase the representation of Black people in data fields. 
• Blacks in Technology: Blacks In Technology is a global platform for Black people in technology. BIT serves members through community, media, and mentorship. We provide resources, guidance, and challenge members to establish new standards of innovation. 

Women

• Black Career Women’s Network: Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN) is a national career development enterprise dedicated to fostering the professional growth of African-American women.