Learning the Unwritten Rules for African-American Professionals: Open Forum

The Male Initiative Program: Men Encouraging New Ways will be facilitating a discussion to separate rumor from fiction when it comes to internships and careers.

The event will consist of a presentation highlighting common stereotypes and perceptions in the workplace, followed by a discussion about internship experiences and some of the unwritten rules of a professional environment. Two members of Men Encouraging New Ways will share their own internship experiences.

"We want to have a forum to discuss challenges that African-American men and women may encounter as professionals in their chosen fields," Steven Taylor, the interim coordinator of Learning Assistance Programs, said.

Taylor said he considered using some of his own real world experiences in the event, but eventually decided against it.

"I didn't want to highlight just me," Taylor said. "I wanted them to learn from each other, so that way they could bounce ideas off one another."

Taylor said that every student could benefit from the discussion and all are welcome.

"We want all participants to contribute to this event, so they can learn from each other," Taylor said.