The start of a new year often ignites the spark of ambition and optimism. For many, it’s a time to reflect on where we’ve been, reevaluate what truly matters, and set new personal and professional goals. As transgender and non-binary people, we know that our paths may be paved with additional challenges—discrimination, misunderstanding, and the subtle but constant sense that we have to justify our worth to the world. These challenges are real, and they can make our goals seem even more daunting.
But I’m here to tell you that our dreams are possible. Whether your aspiration is to pursue higher education, embark on a new career path, or advance in your current field, you have every right to chase and achieve your goals, no matter who you are or how you identify.
I’ve navigated these challenges firsthand. I’m a transgender woman who grew up in the 1970s and 80s when awareness, let alone acceptance, of transgender people was almost nonexistent. Back then, I never dreamt that living authentically was even an option. Instead, I stayed closeted, presenting as a cisgender white man to most of the world. And in that role, I managed to do some things that I’m very proud of: I served for 13 years in the U.S. Air Force, earned a degree in architecture, attended culinary school, wrote and published a book, and worked my way up to managing construction projects across the country. On the outside, I looked like I had it all. Inside, I carried a secret that weighed on me for decades.
Through these experiences, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many talented and resilient transgender men and transgender women. They’ve fought to hold onto their dreams through setbacks, discrimination, and sometimes heartbreak. And yet, they have persisted, driven by an unwavering determination to become who they truly are and pursue their passions. In sharing my story and the stories I’ve witnessed, I hope to inspire and uplift any transgender or non-binary individual at the threshold of chasing a new educational or career goal this year. I want you to know: you are not alone, and you are absolutely capable of achieving your dreams.
Below, I’ve laid out practical insights, strategies, and words of encouragement to help you move forward. While some of the advice may be universal, much of it is tailored to the unique challenges faced by our community. My hope is that you’ll find a supportive guide here, one that helps you realize just how powerful and capable you are—no matter the barriers society may place in your path.
Embrace Your Authentic Self
One of the most difficult aspects of being transgender—especially if you grew up in a less accepting time or environment—is learning to embrace your authentic self without apology or shame. The world may make it seem like your identity should be hidden, or that it’s a barrier preventing you from reaching your goals. It’s true that discrimination still exists; legal protections vary depending on location, and many workplaces and educational institutions remain unfamiliar with or unprepared for transgender and non-binary individuals.
However, stepping into your authenticity can be one of the most liberating moves you ever make. Even if you have to present a certain way at work or school for the time being (as I did for many years), starting the journey of self-acceptance can be an empowering first step. Reflect on who you are when you’re alone. Think about how you want to dress, move, talk—what feels the truest to you? Holding these answers close, even if they’re not ready to be shared broadly, can fuel your determination to pursue your dreams and eventually live them authentically.
Practical Tips for Embracing Authenticity
- Connect with a Therapist or Counselor: A mental health professional experienced in gender identity issues can help you navigate feelings of shame or anxiety that might arise as you move towards self-acceptance.
- Practice Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative thoughts about your identity. If you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never be able to do this because I’m transgender,” reframe it as, “I can find a way to do this and my identity makes me stronger.”
- Find Online Communities: Support from others who’ve walked the same path can be invaluable. Whether through social media groups or online forums, connecting with other transgender and non-binary people can bolster your confidence and remind you that you are not alone.
Setting Realistic and Empowering Goals
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when looking up at a lofty dream—be it graduating from college, transitioning into a new industry, or moving up the career ladder in an existing position. The question, “Am I good enough?” might swirl in your mind. Add to that the external noise of prejudice, and you can start to feel stuck.
Breaking your dream into manageable steps can quell that sense of overwhelm and turn your grand vision into tangible, step-by-step tasks. For instance, if you’re dreaming of going to college, you might first look up trans-friendly scholarship opportunities, research LGBTQ+ resource centers at your potential schools, and create a timeline for applications. If your goal is to break into a new career, consider enrolling in a relevant workshop or certification course, or set aside time each week to revamp your resume and LinkedIn profile.
SMART Goals
A well-known technique is to set SMART goals, which are:
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Determine how you will track progress.
- Achievable: Ensure it’s realistic given your current resources.
- Relevant: Align it with your broader life ambitions.
- Time-bound: Set a deadline for accountability.
For example, your goal might be: “Apply to at least three undergraduate programs by June 1, aiming for schools that have strong LGBTQ+ resources.” This is a SMART goal because it’s specific (three programs), measurable (you can check off each application), achievable (assuming you prepare the necessary documents and references), relevant (it aligns with your dream of furthering your career), and time-bound (with a June 1 deadline).
Overcoming the Challenges of Discrimination
Even in 2025, transgender people continue to face discrimination in schools, workplaces, and industries around the globe. It can come in the form of unconscious bias, lack of institutional resources, or more explicit acts of transphobia. Understandably, this can dim one’s motivation and fuel self-doubt: “Why bother pursuing my dreams if I’m going to be blocked at every turn?”
It’s crucial to recognize the challenges transgender people face in professional and academic spheres. That realism can help you plan practical strategies for dealing with potential barriers. At the same time, it’s equally important to keep these barriers in perspective. They’re hurdles, not insurmountable walls. By acknowledging them, you can develop coping mechanisms, identify allies, and implement strategic planning that boosts the likelihood of success.
Staying informed about your legal rights is vital. Depending on where you live, you may have federal, state, or local protections against discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Understanding these laws can help you stand up for yourself should an employer or institution treat you unfairly. If you encounter discrimination, consider reaching out to organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, or a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group for guidance on how to proceed.
One of the most powerful tools for fighting discrimination is a strong network of allies and supporters. Allies might be professors, HR representatives, coworkers, fellow students, mentors, or peers in your field. If you’re job hunting, look for companies with explicit non-discrimination policies that include gender identity. Read employee reviews on Glassdoor or LinkedIn to get a sense of the workplace culture. If you’re in school, seek out faculty or staff members who have a track record of supporting LGBTQ+ students. This network can provide not only moral support but also tangible benefits like references, recommendations, and a more inclusive environment in which to learn and thrive.
Navigating Transitions Within Your Career or Education
If you’re in the midst of transition—whether socially, medically, or legally—it’s important to consider how that might intersect with your educational or career journey. Transition timelines differ significantly from person to person, so your strategy may be unique to you. However, here are some broad pointers to help keep you moving forward:
Planning Around Medical Appointments and Procedures
If you’re pursuing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or planning surgeries, you might need to factor medical appointments and recovery times into your schedule. Communicate your needs proactively with supervisors or professors, as you feel safe doing so. If you’re not comfortable disclosing details of your transition, consider how you might request flexible scheduling without revealing private information. Your health and well-being are paramount, so if you can plan major life or career events around medical procedures, it can reduce stress and allow you to give your best to both your physical recovery and your professional/academic responsibilities.
Handling Name and Gender Marker Changes
Changing your name and gender markers on official documents can be empowering but also bureaucratically challenging. Different states and countries have varying processes. If you’re in school, speak with the registrar’s office about how to update your records. If you’re in the workplace, HR is your best bet. Remember to keep track of which documents have been updated and which ones still need revision so that you’re not blindsided at crucial moments, like applying for loans, scholarships, or internal promotions.
Balancing Authenticity with Privacy
Finding the right balance between living authentically and maintaining privacy is deeply personal. Some transgender folks choose to be “out” in every setting as a way to live fully and openly, while others prefer to remain discreet in certain circumstances to protect themselves from potential discrimination or harassment. Listen to your instincts and understand that this balance may shift over time. In spaces where you feel psychologically safe and legally protected, you may feel more comfortable sharing your identity. In less supportive environments, you may choose a more private approach until you feel safe to do otherwise.
Finding and Creating Affirming Environment
One of the lessons I’ve learned is that thriving often depends on finding—or creating—environments that welcome you as you are. In my early years, I pushed through an environment that didn’t know or recognize my transgender identity at all, and that weighed heavily on my mental health. It wasn’t until much later that I found communities where I could be open and thrive as a trans woman.
Seeking Out LGBTQ+ Resource Centers at Schools
If you’re enrolling in a college or university, inquire about their LGBTQ+ resource center. Even if the center is small, they often have support groups, counseling resources, and scholarship information specifically for transgender and non-binary students. These spaces can also help you connect with peers who share similar experiences, providing an invaluable network of emotional and academic support.
Advocacy and Affinity Groups in the Workplace
Many corporations now have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or affinity groups dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion. These groups can be an excellent way to find allies, mentors, and friends at your job. If your workplace doesn’t have one, consider starting a conversation with HR or other interested coworkers about forming such a group. While it shouldn’t fall solely on transgender or non-binary employees to push for inclusivity, your voice and leadership can be a powerful catalyst for change.
Remote Work and Online Learning
The rise of remote work and online educational programs has opened a new realm of possibilities for transgender and non-binary individuals who may prefer a more flexible, less gender-policed environment. Working or studying from home can reduce stress around presenting a certain way in public spaces, using restrooms, or dealing with invasive questions. If this approach aligns with your field of interest, it can be an empowering path, allowing you to focus on your goals without some of the daily stresses you might otherwise face in a traditional in-person setting.
Building Resilience and Self-Care
Resilience isn’t about never feeling defeated; it’s about acknowledging your hardships, standing back up, and continuing on. Transgender and non-binary individuals, by necessity, develop a certain amount of resilience just to exist in a world that often misunderstands us. Harnessing that resilience in the pursuit of your goals can propel you forward even when times get tough.
Self-Care Techniques
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and guided meditation can help you stay present and reduce anxiety.
- Physical Activity: Whether you enjoy yoga, running, weightlifting, or simply walking in nature, physical activity can be a powerful way to manage stress and keep your mind sharp.
- Journaling: Reflecting on your experiences daily or weekly can help you process complex emotions, track your progress toward goals, and identify patterns or triggers for stress.
- Support Systems: Lean on friends, family (biological or chosen), and mentors who appreciate and affirm your gender identity. Sometimes just having someone who listens without judgment is all you need to recharge and refocus.
When Professional Help is Needed
Persistent anxiety, depression, or burnout can interfere with your dreams. It’s essential to recognize when you might need professional help. This can be in the form of therapy, counseling, or even psychiatric intervention if mental health challenges become acute. Taking care of your mental well-being is a foundational aspect of succeeding in any educational or career aspiration.
Crafting a Powerful Personal Narrative
As you develop your career or apply to educational programs, you’ll often be asked about your story—whether it’s in personal essays, job interviews, or networking events. Sharing your experiences as a transgender or non-binary individual can be a strategic decision that showcases your resilience, adaptability, and commitment. However, deciding how much to share is entirely up to you.
Highlighting Strengths Derived from Your Experience
Being transgender can cultivate unique strengths that employers, academic institutions, and professional networks value. These strengths might include:
- Adaptability: Navigating social, medical, and legal transitions requires the ability to adapt to new challenges quickly.
- Empathy: Understanding what it’s like to be marginalized can make you a more compassionate leader and teammate.
- Tenacity: Overcoming societal barriers is no small feat, and this perseverance can translate directly into the workplace or classroom.
When telling your personal narrative, focus on how these qualities have shaped your accomplishments. For example, when I interviewed for a leadership position in a construction management company, I discussed my background in the Air Force and architecture, emphasizing the adaptability and leadership skills I gained from those experiences. While I was not out as a transgender woman at that time, had I been, I would likely have leaned into the resilience and determination forged by living authentically in challenging environments.
Balancing Openness with Strategic Disclosure
If you’re comfortable being out, your story can serve as inspiration and education for others. It can also act as a filter, allowing you to gravitate toward workplaces or schools that embrace your identity. On the other hand, if you feel that disclosure might jeopardize your safety or well-being, it’s perfectly valid to keep certain elements of your identity private. Always prioritize your comfort and security.
Mentorship and Networking
A mentor can be the difference between feeling lost and feeling motivated. Mentors serve as career guides, sources of wisdom, and sometimes, fierce advocates in a competitive world. If you don’t have a mentor yet, consider seeking one out—especially someone who understands or values your identity.
Finding the Right Mentor
- Professional Associations: There are many LGBTQ+ professional associations covering fields like engineering, architecture, business, law, and the arts. These associations often have mentorship programs or networking events where you can connect with industry professionals.
- Online Platforms: LinkedIn, professional Facebook groups, and other virtual communities can be great places to find mentors. Look for profiles of individuals who are openly transgender or are allies. Sending a polite, concise message expressing your admiration for their work and interest in learning from them can open doors.
- Alumni Networks: If you’re a student or graduate, alumni networks can help you connect with professionals in your field. These individuals often have a vested interest in helping newcomers from their alma mater succeed.
Giving Back: Becoming a Mentor
As you progress in your own career or education, consider paying it forward by mentoring others in the transgender and non-binary community. Your life experiences—both the struggles and triumphs—can serve as a blueprint for someone who is just starting out. Acting as a mentor not only helps the next generation of trans professionals; it also reinforces your own sense of purpose and community.
RELATED: Mentorship Matters: Finding and Becoming a Mentor in the Trans Community
Practical Resources and Steps Toward Success
Transgender and non-binary individuals have more resources at their disposal today than ever before. This can range from scholarships specifically for trans students to job boards that cater to queer and trans-friendly employers. Below are some practical suggestions:
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Point Foundation: Offers scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.
- Transgender Law Center: May have up-to-date information on grants and scholarships available to trans individuals.
- Local LGBTQ+ Organizations: Many local nonprofits provide small grants or scholarships; searching “transgender scholarships in [your location]” can yield results.
Professional Development
- The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): Offers resources for LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index: Helps you identify companies that have strong LGBTQ+ inclusion policies.
Job Boards and Recruitment Services
- Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: Provides networking and job search assistance for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Diversity-focused Career Platforms: Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized job boards may highlight diversity and inclusion hiring practices, which can guide you toward trans-friendly employers.
Persisting Through Setbacks and Celebrating Victories
Despite our best planning and preparation, setbacks can and do happen. You might be passed over for a promotion, fail an important exam, or face overt discrimination that throws you off track. When these moments occur, remember that a setback is not the end of your journey.
- The Art of Persistence: Persistence can be cultivated. If you face a rejection, treat it as feedback, not a statement on your worth. Did the admissions committee or hiring manager provide any hints about areas for improvement? Use that information to fine-tune your approach. If you encounter transphobia, document the incident, reach out to legal or advocacy groups if needed, and remind yourself that their ignorance or hostility does not define your capability or value.
- Celebrating the Small and Big Wins: Don’t wait until you’ve achieved your biggest dream to celebrate. Every step forward is worth acknowledging: completing a college application, acing a job interview, or receiving a positive performance review. Celebrating these moments fuels your motivation and staves off burnout.
As someone who spent a significant portion of their life living under a borrowed identity, I know the weight that can carry and how it can dampen your dreams. But I also know the indescribable joy of realizing that your potential is greater than any social stigma or discrimination. I’ve met so many incredible transgender men and women who have fought longer and harder than most people can imagine—some juggling multiple jobs, enduring family estrangement, or even facing homelessness—and still managed to get their degrees, become entrepreneurs, or rise to leadership roles.
The road ahead may have twists and turns, but you are not alone. We stand on the shoulders of those who fought for our right to exist, and we are building a future where the next generation of transgender and non-binary individuals will face fewer barriers. Each step you take, each barrier you break down, paves the way for others, too.
The Bottom Line
When I look back at my journey—13 years of military service, architecture school, writing a book, and ultimately managing large construction projects—I see a path marked by both triumph and heartache. I also see the undeniable thread of resilience that runs through each of my accomplishments. Today, I stand as a proud transgender woman, finally living openly in my truth. And the message I want to impart is simple: your dreams are valid and entirely possible.
This new year, as you reflect on your aspirations—be they educational or career-related—remember that countless trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals have walked similar roads and emerged victoriously. They’ve done so by learning to honor their authentic selves, setting actionable goals, fighting discrimination head-on, and surrounding themselves with support. They’ve sought out mentors, forged networks, and never lost sight of the bright possibilities that come with persistence and self-belief.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, what stage of transition you’re in, or how daunting your dreams might seem—there is a way forward. As you plan your next move in your education or career, challenge the voice in your head that says “I can’t.” Replace it with “I will find a way.” Because that’s the heart of our journey as transgender and non-binary individuals: finding a way to become who we are meant to be, and forging our own path toward success, no matter what roadblocks we meet.
So here’s to you. May you chase your dreams boldly and unapologetically this year. May you find the mentors, allies, and resources you need. May you discover the power in your authentic self—and use that power to lift yourself and others around you. Most importantly, may you realize that your identity, far from being a limitation, is a source of remarkable strength. Your story, your ambitions, your life—they matter. Now go out there and make those dreams a reality.
Author’s Note: If you ever find yourself in need of encouragement or direction, please remember that communities like Transvitae exist to provide guidance, camaraderie, and a supportive space for professional growth. Together, we can continue to push boundaries, challenge biases, and ensure that every transgender and non-binary individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Keep dreaming, keep persisting, and never forget that you are capable of more than you realize. Your identity is a beautiful asset, and the world needs your unique contributions—now more than ever. Let’s make this year the start of your next great chapter. You deserve it.
