Issue #010: When your “mission-driven” job turns toxic

Hey Reader,

Welcome to issue #010 of The Next Chapter, a career planning newsletter for LGBTQ+ professionals.

This week, I'm covering:

How to meet me in person next week
Why job applications ask about your identity
When “mission-driven” environments are toxic
Booking new coaching clients for 2026

Let's dive in.

Catch me IRL next week

If you’re in the Bay Area, come meet me in person next Tuesday, December 2 at the LGBTQ+ Holiday Celebration at San Francisco’s Hotel Zeppelin.

I'm doing a limited number of free, mini career coaching sessions at the event. I might also be participating in a giveaway…

In case you’ve missed them, Queer Career Consults are the pay-what-you-can sessions I've been offering online for the past couple of years. I’m bringing them to an IRL setting for the first time as a featured service provider.

The event is hosted by OutPro, StartOut, Hey Famm, and SF Pride ERG Networking Happy Hour. I've met a ton of awesome queer folks at events that these orgs have hosted, so I'm looking forward to being part of this one.

Register for the holiday celebration

Why are job applications asking about my identity?

If you’ve applied for jobs in the U.S., you’ve probably seen applications asking about things like your disability status, veteran status, gender, race, and ethnicity.

These questions might feel irrelevant or invasive. You might be worried whether this information will be used against you or if declining to answer will hurt your chances.

Here’s why they exist: federal reporting requirements + internal equity tracking.

Many employers (especially larger ones and federal contractors) are required to collect certain details for compliance purposes. Others use it voluntarily to measure the outcomes of their hiring practices and assess whether they’re equitable.

Barring any sketchy business practices or data breaches, this information is designed to be kept separate from your application materials. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t see it when they’re reviewing your resume or profile.

(as one example, Greenhouse explains how this part of their product works in this article and this article)

You can choose to disclose or decline to respond. If you disclose, you help organizations understand who’s making it through their hiring process and where gaps might exist. If you don’t, you maintain a greater degree of privacy about your identity.

There’s no wrong answer here. Decide what’s most important to you.

And if you’re wondering whether to put your pronouns on your resume, check out Issue #002.

Sometimes “mission-driven” environments are toxic

A person looking stressed at a laptop in an office.

Many queer folks I meet are drawn to mission-driven work: a job, employer, or industry designed to make a focused, positive impact on the world. I very much relate to them.

These jobs can be energizing and fulfilling, but mission-driven organizations aren’t immune to common workplace challenges. Things like micromanagement, weaponized values, pay inequity, and burnout can happen in places with the best intentions.

Maybe you’re in one of those environments that wasn’t what you expected, and you’re not sure if it’s where you want to stay.

If you find yourself in this spot, ask yourself a few questions:

Do you want to try to drive change? If you have the energy and positional power to advocate for improvements, consider whether the team is receptive to feedback. If they are, staying might be worthwhile. If they’re not, your efforts might drain you more than the work itself.
What impact is it having on you? Pay attention to how the environment affects your well-being. If you’re consistently stressed or compromising your boundaries, that’s important information.
Is the mission still aligned with your values? Sometimes organizations drift from their original purpose or your priorities shift. If the work no longer feels meaningful or the org's actions don’t match its stated values, it might be time for something different.

You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for the mission. There are many ways to make an impact.

Now booking new clients for 2026

2026 is somehow almost here (I swear September was last week), which makes this a good time to think about what you want your career to look like in the year ahead.

If your new year is shaping up to be one of growth and change, I’m now booking clients to start in early January. We’ll work together to clarify your goals, create an actionable plan, and build the momentum you need to make it happen.

Career coaching might be a good fit if you're:

Actively looking for work
Thinking about changing jobs or career paths
Wanting to talk to your boss about your development
Curious to meet more people in your field
Interested in pursuing new skills or certifications

I offer free, 30-minute consultations for the coaching curious. It’s a great way to do a vibe check and get your questions answered before taking the next step.

Book a free consultation