“I Want to Be Safe…And I Also Want a Job”: Career Considerations and Decision-Making Among Transgender Graduate Students

Abstract

Trans individuals experience unique stressors related to their careers, such as discrimination, workplace harassment, navigating transition, and disclosure of their identity. The current study examined the experiences of 30 trans graduate students with regard to career decision-making. In total, 19 identified as at least one nonbinary identity and 11 were binary trans-identified (trans men and trans women). Thematic analysis of in-depth interview transcripts revealed the following major themes: (a) Role of Gender Minority Stress During Graduate School in Career Development, (b) Key Considerations Related to Future Jobs or Career Paths (e.g., whether fields or specific jobs are trans-friendly), (c) Outness as a Key Consideration in the Job Application Process, and (d) the Role of Resources and Supports in Career Development. Our findings highlight the unique stressors for trans individuals in the career decision-making and job application processes and the unique challenges faced by nonbinary job seekers.