As we continue celebrating LGBTQ+ History month this October, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development would like to highlight two LGBTQ+ alumni as they provide insight into navigating careers and Binghamton University resources.
LGBTQ+ History Month, also known as Outober to some, has been celebrated in October since approximately 1994 to coincide with National Coming Out day, which takes place October 11th. This month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the history of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrate the progress that has been made, and continue to uplift LGBTQ+ voices. We have interviewed two alumni that identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and encourage you to read below to learn more about their experiences and tips on how to navigate the workplace while staying true to oneself.
Can you please tell me about yourself?
My name is Rob Clark (he/him/his). I graduated from Binghamton University in 2016. After graduation, I obtained an MA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from the University of Chicago Law School. I am a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and I currently work as an Associate Attorney at the law firm of Cozen O’Connor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My practice involves a wide range of business litigation matters in federal and state court, with a particular focus on complex and appellate litigation.
-Robert Clark
I am Reginald Gardner (He/They), a Ph.D. candidate and qualitative games researcher at the University of California, Irvine. Specifically, I study fighting game artifacts, the Fighting Game Community (FGC), and esports in university settings. Specifically, they investigate the interactions between the communities’ histories and values. I’ve had the privilege of teaching at USC and UTA, and have attended programs everywhere, from GDC to Oxford. Hopefully, I’ll find myself in an industry or faculty position next year!
-Reginald Gardner
Can you describe your undergraduate experience as a student (major, extracurricular activities) and the ways, if any, your experiences fostered a sense of belonging as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
I majored in Economics and Mathematical Sciences as an undergrad. I worked as a Tour Guide and at the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. I was also involved on the Student Conduct Board and was a Teaching Assistant for Professor Barry Jones. My experiences at Binghamton were very inclusive and gave me the confidence to openly identify as LGBTQ+ for the first time while a Binghamton student. I was also able to share those positive experiences with applicants and continue to foster an inclusive and diverse community as a Tour Guide.
-Robert Clark
There were quite a few. My living community (Hinman College) had a significant influence on my ability to be comfortable and learn about myself. Sparking conversations with folks on my floor and in my building was effortless. My RAs were kind and generous with their time (I still talk to a few of them), and our hall directors (I still follow them, too) inspired a sense of camaraderie I hadn’t experienced before. Naturally, I sought that energy across campus and the greater Binghamton area and found it by joining APhiO – the public service fraternity. Few experiences at Binghamton were more memorable than the service projects we tackled there. The combination of doing work I care about with people I care about was genuinely transformative. Not only did I see myself as accepted, but I saw myself coming into my own.
-Reginald Gardner
What are a few Binghamton University and/or external resources tailored to this affinity group that you found helpful in transitioning from college to career?
I think the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development did a great job of preparing me for my career. My experience was that the Fleishman Center provided individualized advice to address a student’s particular career needs and concerns, which is ideal when working with LGBTQ+ students, who may have different questions or concerns than those outside the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond Binghamton, I think it is crucial for LGBTQ+ students and professionals to have role models and mentors in their chosen fields who understand their lived experiences and can offer advice as they begin their career. I received such mentorship through my Law School’s LGBTQ+ student group and through my firm’s LGBTQ+ attorney affinity group. Many companies now have similar affinity groups for employees, and this is a great topic to research when searching for a first job after college.
-Robert Clark
Unfortunately, I didn’t really use many university resources while at Binghamton. I relied heavily on the friends that I made while I was there. We shared a lot with each other, from the flippant to the confidential. Today, there might be a few more resources than when I attended (The Q center, a new living community, etc.) I encourage folks to use any available resource and find people they can rely on. From my POV, people have made the most significant difference in my life.
-Reginald Gardner
How has your identity within the LGBTQ+ community impacted your professional experience? In what ways has that shaped your workplace searches and overall perspective both currently and in the past?
I use my pro bono practice as an opportunity to give back to the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, I have collaborated with public interest organizations in the past to assist individuals in legally changing their names to reflect their gender identities. I have also found that the LGBTQ+ community within my firm is always willing to provide mentorship and support.
-Robert Clark
It hasn’t had a hugely negative effect on my life in academia and the games industry (adjacent). I’ve been lucky enough to find a community where I’ve landed. That said, my identity significantly impacted where I decided to look for schools, work, conferences, and other programs. I refuse to travel to some places of note, and that’s always a downer. There are some schools I wasn’t comfortable applying to when looking for a PhD, even more so now. I’m lucky to be where I am, with a community of people I can support, and who can support me!
-Reginald Gardner
What is one piece of advice you would give to students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community with respect to applying to jobs and staying true to their identity?
The best way to tell whether you will fit in at a particular job is to speak to current LGBTQ+ employees about their experiences, in my opinion. Don’t be afraid to network with current employees before applying—or even after receiving an offer—to get a better sense of the employer’s commitment to diversity and inclusion before making your decision. Generally, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been in your shoes before and will be thrilled to hear from you.
-Robert Clark
It would be the same advice I’ve given every other young person: do what you must to do what you want. This doesn’t mean leaving a dream deferred or selling your soul for income. It does mean pushing yourself to new heights in the fields and spaces where you find joy and find a way to survive that work. Whether you’re an orthodontist, organizer, accountant, or advocate, both, neither, and everything in between, keep going until making it work is light work.
-Reginald Gardner
