Career Development Center receives gold Out for Work rating

University of Louisville’s Career Development Center has received a gold rating from Out for Work, a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to evaluating career centers’ programming and resources for LGBTQ students. 

This is the third time UofL has been recognized by the group. It was first recognized in 2014 with a bronze rating.

“I think it recognizes our support and commitment to serving a diverse student body at UofL,” said Trey Lewis, director of the Career Development Center.

Lewis credited the award to a successful collaboration between the Career Development Center and the LGBT Center and its director Brian Buford.

In November 2016, the Career Development Center partnered with the LGBT Center on a career trek to Brown Forman as part of the regional Come Together Kentucky conference. The Career Trek program takes students off campus and into potential employers to see the facilities and meet with employees. Lewis said it’s a successful program because it gives students a real picture of what different industries do.

Candace Lamb, assistant director in the Career Development Center, and Jess Shelton, graduate assistant for the LGBT Center, worked to plan and promote the Career Trek for conference participants. The students, representing universities from across the state, met with Brown Forman’s LGBT group to learn about their experiences working for the company, as well as mentoring and internship opportunities.

UofL’s ranking has increased each of the last three years. The Career Development Center used Out for Work’s assessment to increase its services and resources for UofL’s LGBT students. In 2015, this collaboration was recognized with Out for Work’s Silver certification after partnering with the LGBT Center to provide employer panels, vendor fairs, and specialized presentations for students.