Information and resources for those who identify as Native American/Indigenous.
The following resources are curated specifically to assist students who identify as Native American/Indigenous to explore their interests, find opportunities that best suit their needs and desires, and attain the goals they set for themselves.
We hope to continue to add resources that might be helpful and if you find something valuable, please share it with us by using the Guest login (top right of Duke Hub).
Considerations for Application and Hiring Process
Connect to Native/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.
