Career Support

Your Future. Your Path. Your Success. 

The Black Student Success Centre offers culturally grounded, identity-affirming career and postgraduate planning supports designed specifically for Black students navigating university, co-op, internships, work placements and early-career transitions. 

Whether you are clarifying your career direction, preparing for graduate school, searching for a job, or seeking support navigating workplace bias or belonging, we’re here to guide you along the way.

A photo of Chinazo Okereke

Chinazo Okereke, CHRP

Black Student Career and Postgraduate Specialist

Email: okerec1@mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905-525-9140 x 20995

Book a Session with Chinazo

What We Offer

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Navigating Identity in the Workplace

Many Black students experience race-related barriers during co-op, internships, early employment and graduate programs. We provide culturally grounded support to help you navigate: 

  • Bias, microaggressions and inequity
  • Culture shock in predominantly white environments
  • Code-switching fatigue
  • Conflicting expectations
  • Power dynamics
  • Safety and boundaries
  • Affirming your voice and leadership 

This support is grounded in identity, dignity and psychological safety. 

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Graduate School Planning and Advising

Guidance for students preparing applications for: 

  • Master’s and PhD programs
  • Law school
  • Medical and professional programs
  • Research opportunities (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
  • Competitive awards and scholarships 

We support you with: 

  • Program exploration
  • Crafting competitive statements
  • Document review and editing
  • Reference strategies
  • Interview readiness for program admissions 
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Resume, Cover Letter and Application Support

Work one-on-one to refine your: 

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Portfolio
  • Personal statements 

We teach you how to tailor applications to reflect your strengths, lived experience and career aspirations, ensuring your materials make an impression. 

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Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews

Build confidence and sharpen your communication skills with: 

  • Realistic behavioural and technical mock interviews
  • Personalized feedback
  • Strategies for culturally safe self-advocacy
  • Techniques for navigating imposter feelings
  • Tips for communicating Black identity strength in professional settings 
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Culturally-Informed Career Advising

We understand that career advising must be responsive to lived experience. Our advising integrates: 

  • Afrocentric and Black diasporic perspectives
  • Identity-affirming coaching
  • Support navigating race-based stressors
  • Strategies for career advancement tailored to Black students
  • Strength-based narrative building 
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Connection to Black Professional Networks

We help you build networks that reflect and sustain you. This includes: 

  • Introductions to Black professionals in your field
  • Access to alumni mentors
  • Networking opportunities during Elevate and Empower | Black History Month (February)
  • Connections to Black-led organizations and industry partners
  • Job shadowing opportunities
  • Faculty and community mentorship circles 

Networking is done intentionally and relationally — never performative.

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Career Exploration and Skill Building Workshops

Throughout the year, we offer workshops led by Black professionals, alumni and employers such as: 

  • Negotiating job offers
  • Personal branding
  • LinkedIn mastery
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Public speaking and leadership
  • Career storytelling
  • Co-op and internship readiness
  • Professionalism from a Black cultural lens 

These sessions are culturally tailored, accessible and relevant. 

Signature Career and Postgraduate Programs

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Career and Professional Development Series

Featuring: 

  • In Conversation Series, Panels with Black industry leaders
  • Graduate school preparation
  • Networking and mentorship circles
  • Career storytelling evenings
  • Alumni-facilitated workshops 
Career and Professional Development SeriesFollow on Instagram for updates
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Success Beyond the Degree

A space for upper-year students and recent graduates navigating: 

  • Career transitions
  • Workplace identity
  • Early career challenges
  • Imposter feelings
  • Boundaries, professionalism and advocacy
  • Adulting, finances and life skills 
Success Beyond the Degree Follow on Instagram for updates