Follow the Leader (But Not Too Closely)

As I approach the fourth anniversary of my initiation as a Deltasig, I feel that it's time to reflect on how being a part of this fraternity has impacted me as a young professional. -- My undergraduate business studies began amid the disorienting conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time when most first-year students are expected to become involved in their business world, the entire world was just tentatively reopening. I was surrounded by many peers who were still carrying the weight of isolation, a hesitation to socialize, often lacking the very social skills that business demands. I, too, felt a sense of isolation, but for different reasons than my peers who had always had the benefit of brick-and-mortar schooling. My upbringing had always made me feel like an outlier, and now, amidst that sea of hesitant faces, I again found myself adrift. At that time, ironically, the only people who seemed genuinely willing to engage in the spaces I occupied were the faculty. It was w...

 As an early-career LGBTQ professional navigating the world of business academia, I've experienced firsthand the unique challenges we face when it comes to mentorship. While many mentorship programs are often touted as pathways to career advancement and self-empowerment, I've encountered the frustrating reality: a lack of inclusive support systems and a surprising amount of resistance to the idea of mentoring, both from potential mentors and mentees. These are generic issues with mentoring programs before we even begin to touch on the struggles faced by LGBTQ persons of business. This observed disconnect stems from a complex mix of factors, including unconscious biases, an all around lack of awareness about the specific needs of LGBTQ professionals, and a deep-rooted fear of vulnerability. I've decided to attempt to delve into these challenges, drawing on my own experiences as both a mentee and a coordinator for an executive mentor program at my institution, to explore how ...