Graduating from university and embarking on the next steps in their career journey is an exciting time for most, but how do LGBTQ+ graduates fare alongside their heterosexual peers? This article will start to look at this question.
According to UCAS, in 2020, 7.2% of university applicants identified as LGBTQ+,1 with the largest proportion identifying as bisexual. In addition, the UCAS data revealed that of those students who identified at LGBTQ+, 17% were from a disadvantaged background, which was higher than the 13% for heterosexual students, and 1 in 3 had a disability, which was higher than the 1 in 10 of their heterosexual counterparts. Finally, 13% disclosed a mental health condition in comparison to just 3% of non-LGBTQ+ students.
These figures clearly show that those who identify as LGBTQ+ are keen to learn and strive for personal improvement but have circumstances that may mean that they not only require additional support while at university but may also require support to successfully progress into graduate employment.
When seeking employment, many graduates will endeavour to work somewhere where they not only feel comfortable, but also have the opportunity for promotion. LGBTQ+ graduates are no different and will therefore seek out organisations that advertise the fact that they promote equality and diversity, value all their staff and offer a safe and welcoming work environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Vercida's 2021 article states that, according to research by Accenture, those LGBTQ+ individuals who work for an organisation that promote a culture of equality 'are twice as likely to work for organisations that have announced goals to increase diversity[…], are three times more satisfied with their career progression and […] are three times more likely to advance to senior manage or above'.2
It is important that graduates can be open about their sexuality as this has a positive effect on mental health and wellbeing. Research conducted by the University of York, Clifford Chance, Deutsche Bank and National Student Pride found that '39% of LGBT+ graduates who shared their gender identity and sexuality with everyone said that their wellbeing had improved.'3 This same survey found that '54% of LGBT+ graduates think inclusivity programmes in the workplace are important'.
LGBTQ+ graduates may face barriers after university but they should be encouraged to seek out employers with robust equality and diversity policies.
Job search websites including Vercida and Proud Employers actively promote job vacancies with employers who have stated their commitment to inclusivity and diversity within their workplace and undertaken LGBTQ+ initiatives to encourage LGBTQ+ graduates to apply for roles with them. One such initiative is the partnership between the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and OUTstanding, a global professional network. The partnership aims to offer mentoring opportunities and leadership programmes as well as creating new opportunities for ABI member firms.4 Another scheme, aiming to attract LGBTQ+ students into the financial industry, is the LGBTQ+ Student Possibility Programme 2021 run by Goldman Sachs in London.5 This insight programme is aimed at current students wishing to undertake an internship with Goldman Sachs in the future.
Diversity in Tech cited a study conducted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), stating that STEM subjects are not as attractive to LGBTQ+ graduates and 33% of LGBTQ+ engineers claimed 'that they feel their sexuality was a barrier to the progression of their career'.6 STEM Women have also highlighted this, saying that 'LGBTQ+ people are roughly 20% less represented in STEM fields than expected'.7 They mention several steps that could be taken to change this, including the promotion of role models, allies and support networks as well as more subtle changes such as the inclusion of pronouns within email signatures. One organisation that is trying to promote STEM fields to LGBTQ+ people is Pride in STEM, a group of international LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers. They have selected 18 November to be LGBTQ+ STEM Day in order to celebrate and highlight the work and barriers of LGBTQ+ people working within STEM industries.
An industry that has made great strides in promoting its opportunities and encouraging applications from LGBTQ+ graduates is real estate. As a result of the work they have put in 'for LGBTQ+ graduates, there is now increasing security in being open about their sexual orientation at work. Property companies have become more inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ staff'.8
Some LGBTQ+ graduates may face more barriers when seeking opportunities after university. But they should be encouraged to seek out employers with robust equality and diversity policies, specific LGBTQ+ schemes and initiatives and ideally those with an LGBTQ+ network to provide ongoing support within the workplace.
Notes
- LGBT freshers: 'I worried Oxford wouldn't accept me', BBC, 2021.
- Creating a culture of equality for LGBT employees, Vercida, 2021.
- Clifford Chance and partners commission new research that looks at LGBT+ identities and experiences in higher education and employment, Clifford Chance, 2019.
- LGBT+ inclusion initiatives at Association of British Insurers, Vercida.
- LGBTQ+ Student Possibility Programme 2021, Bright Network.
- Attracting LGBT into tech, Diversity in Tech.
- LGBTQ+ in STEM, STEM Women, 2021.
- Is the industry LGBTQ+ friendly for graduates?, RICS, 2019.
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