Panel Discussion 11 - Strengthening Professional Identities and Career Pathways in a Landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy: Taking the Next Step

In the wake of growing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, there has been increased attention to the recruitment of individuals with minoritized identities in both training and professional contexts. In an effort to increase recruitment, programs often, explicitly or implicitly, promise to be diverse and inclusive. Unfortunately, DEI efforts often stop at recruitment and fail to consider how the programs themselves show minimal change in policies and expectations that are essential for retention. As a result, the very success of such DEI initiatives has led to increased numbers of minoritized individuals who are left struggling in systems not designed for them, often bearing the burden of advocating for real change.
This panel discussion addresses the challenges of holding a minoritized identity while working to develop and thrive professionally, particularly in a climate of increased DEI advocacy. Panelists include individuals with different minoritized identities who are at different points in their career (i.e., trainee, early, mid-late) and work in a range of professional contexts. Several of the panelists are also current or past leaders of ABCT’s minority-based SIGs.  
The panel will discuss how the call for increased engagement with diverse populations cannot stop there, and must also include intentional paths to support and retain those called to this work. Panelists will first reflect on the challenges and gains that have come with efforts to increase diverse representation. The systemic barriers to building inclusive programming will also be highlighted. The discussion will then turn to the unique challenges of managing different professional responsibilities (e.g., training, supervision, administration, research, clinical practice) and contexts (training programs, hospitals, academic medical centers, etc.) at different points in one’s career. Particular attention will be placed on mentorship, and how to access mentorship to help forge career paths that work for and celebrate diverse professional identities. Finally, the panelists will discuss next-step strategies to support the growth of diverse representation and how to develop this as a strength of, rather than a strain to, existing professional contexts.