Native American/Indigenous Career Resources

In recognition of and appreciation for Native American/Indigenous identifying students, career resources are highlighted such as professional organizations and job boards that focus on the career development and success of individuals within these communities.

You can explore more career resources for Native American/Indigenous students through the affinity/identity group page by clicking on “Who we serve” and then “Affinities” on the CareerHub home page.

Considerations for Application & Hiring Process

Connect to Native and Indigenous alumni and professionals

Alumni and professionals who hold Native/Indigenous identities can provide insight into their experience and what advice they have for going through the job search process and even be a mentor for you. Informational interviews are the best ways to network with alumni and professionals whose identity and career background you wish to learn more about. You can connect with alumni through the Duke Native American/Indigenous Alumni (DNAIA) group via the Duke Alumni Network or utilizing the Duke University page on LinkedIn.

Highlight your background

As a Native/Indigenous-identifying student, you bring value to industry. Your background, particularly the experiences, skills, and perspective you bring are a tremendous benefit to the workforce. There are multiple ways in which you can show how your identity and point of view are valuable to an employer.

How you might choose to discuss your identity:

Resume through your academic and professional experiences

Cover letter by explaining how your identity or multicultural involvement can be an asset to the role or industry that you are interested in

During the interview process, you can make connections to your identity through relevant examples to the role you are applying for. The interview process can also be used as an opportunity to understand the employer’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to explain your desire to work for a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Consider the employer’s values and commitment toward diversity, equity, and inclusion

To find out about a company’s commitment to DEI, you can conduct informational interviews with individuals at the company or ask them about their commitment during a job interview. For Native/Indigenous students, internXL provides information on company DEI practices and culture. The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index also offers insights on corporate inclusivity, specifically for policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.

If you would like to talk more about your identity and multiculturalism in career development, you can make an appointment with a career advisor via Handshake.

Internship & Job Boards

American Indian College Fund details goals in pursuing internships and jobs as well as a guidebook dedicated to preparing Native students for career opportunities

Nativehire designed to meet the specific needs and skills of Native job seekers and works with employers who are actively looking to hire Native Americans

Native American Jobs provides employment opportunities for diverse, minority, and indigenous cultures

internXL brings access to internships and insights on company diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and culture

Inroads Internship Program prepares talented diverse students across the country for corporate readiness with business soft skills, real world leadership development activities, academic and career support, and an opportunity for a paid internship

Discipline- & Industry-focused

If you are interested in what career community houses each of the following discipline/industry-focused opportunities, you can discover more about the career communities on CareerHub.

Professional Organizations & Associations

American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers

Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM

American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) is committed to increasing the representation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in business and entrepreneurial ventures through education and leadership development opportunities

Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) serves and empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures

For additional resources on job and internship boards and professional organizations and associations, see the Native American/Indigenous students affinity/identity group page.