Resources for Students of Asian Descent
While we realize that Asia represents an extremely large geographic area, as well as a diverse range of cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds, we present these resources as one document due to the way in which career resources are typically made available.
U.S. law provides specific protection against discrimination based on a person’s identified race.
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/race_color.cfm
In addition to knowing your legal rights, it is also important to identify employers that are inclusive in their hiring and professional support practices.
Here are a collection of other career-related resources, including relevant information on employers, professional organizations, and funding sources.
Internships
The AAAS Minority Science Writers Program Internship
The internship is open to any minority undergraduate with a serious interest in science writing.
Opportunity Type: Internship (Paid)
Industry: Journalism
Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences
Program offers a ten week, mentored research experience for students interested in pursuing future PhD or MD/PhD studies.
Opportunity Type: Internship (Paid)
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) seeks to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth by increasing access to public service opportunities and building a strong AANHPI public service pipeline.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarship, Internship
Industry: Public Service
The Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media
We recruit promising students of color and place them in multi-year paid internships at some of the nation's leading media and technology companies, provide the media and tech industries with a pipeline of young talent and emerging leadership, and advocate for best practices in diverse hiring, retention, and advancement.
Opportunity Type: Internship (Paid)
INROADS
INROADS places talented minority youth in business and industry positions that will prepare them for corporate and community leadership. Students are assigned a professional mentor and receive a summer salary.
Opportunity Type: Internship and Mentorship
The James E. Webb Internship Program (for minority groups)
The internship is at the Smithsonian Institute and is for a duration of ten weeks. Interns will receive a stipend of $550 per week. Students may perform a variety of activities, such as assisting with art exhibitions, designing and writing content for web sites, working on projects for the Library of Congress, or working on budgets, grants and contracts.
Opportunity Type: Internship
The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program
NASCAR Diversity Internship Program is a 10-week, full-time, paid summer work opportunity for deserving students with an interest in the NASCAR industry.
Opportunity Type: Internship
The Smithsonian Institution Minority Internship Program
10-week summer, fall or spring internships. Interns work on research or museum-related projects under the supervision of museum staff members. The position is full time, and interns receive a stipend of $400 per week, with additional travel allowances occasionally offered.
Opportunity Type: Internship
Professional Organizations and Networking Opportunities/Events
Asian American Economic Development Enterprises
It has since grown into a full service 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to economic self-help for Asian Americans and others.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Internships
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
Provides more than one-million dollars worth of educational assistance for Asian American student-journalists. The effort aims to increase Asian American representation in the media on a broad scale. Vietnamese, Cambodian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander students are invited to compete for AAJA resources.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Scholarship
Asian Career Network
Platform to search for jobs, internships, career fairs, and networking opportunities; sign up with either LinkedIn or Facebook
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Networking Opportunity/Events
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Scholarships opportunities for Asian Pacific and Pacific Islander Students.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarships
Industry: All
Asian Women in Business
It works to assist Asian women entrepreneurs and professionals. Over the years, AWIB, a dynamic organization, has expanded its mission to address issues affecting Asian Americans on the corporate level; and Asian women in the legal arena; and has established a scholarship program for undergraduates which promotes and rewards demonstrated leadership. AWIB also serves on various task forces and boards to promote the inclusion of minority and women owned businesses and professionals.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarship
Industry: Business
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) seeks to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth by increasing access to public service opportunities and building a strong AANHPI public service pipeline.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarship, Internship
Industry: Public Service
Jumpstart Financial Services and Consulting Undergraduate Forum
The JumpStart UGrad Financial Services and Consulting Diversity Forum helps educate and prepare incoming UGrad students for careers in finance or consulting.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunities/Intensive Programs
Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT)
Intense Career Preparation for Black, Latinx and Native American students interested in business and consulting
Opportunity Type: Career Prep/Networking Opportunities
National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
The National Association of Asian American Professionals is a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through professional development, community service, and networking. Create an account and gain access to networks and lectures.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Networking Opportunity/Events
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
NAPABA provides undergraduate and law students who are interested in the legal profession and advocacy within the Asian Pacific American community with the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C. The program develops leadership and professional skills and encourages political and civic engagement.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Networking Opportunity/Events
National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians
It is coalition of physicians that are a powerful voice standing up for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander patients and communities.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization
US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
UPAACC represents Asian American and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Scholarship
Scholarships
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Scholarships opportunities for Asian Pacific and Pacific Islander Students.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarships
Industry: All
Asian Women in Business
It works to assist Asian women entrepreneurs and professionals. Over the years, AWIB, a dynamic organization, has expanded its mission to address issues affecting Asian Americans on the corporate level; and Asian women in the legal arena; and has established a scholarship program for undergraduates which promotes and rewards demonstrated leadership. AWIB also serves on various task forces and boards to promote the inclusion of minority and women owned businesses and professionals.
Opportunity Type: Professional Organization, Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarship
Industry: Business
Bauce Magazine listing of 110 College & Graduate Scholarships for Women of Color
This listing of scholarships is tailored to multicultural women who are enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of academic disciplines. All scholarships are separated by category and include information in regards to the total award amount and general application date.
Opportunity Type: List of Scholarships
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) seeks to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth by increasing access to public service opportunities and building a strong AANHPI public service pipeline.
Opportunity Type: Networking Opportunity/Events, Scholarship, Internship
Industry: Public Service
Further Resources
IMDiversity, Asian Village
Includes specific articles regarding Asian American experiences in workforce
Opportunity Type: Further Resources