Q+ is breaking out of the ‘Commerce bubble,’ empowering students across Queen’s with inclusive professional development.
Founded in 2016 under the Commerce Society (ComSoc), Q+ is a club geared towards professional development, community, and allyship for LGBTQ+ students. Over the years, the club has grown to become a vital resource for many students, in and outside of Commerce.
After coming across the Q+ booth during a club fair in her first year, Co-Chair Misha Chopra, Comm ’25, knew instantly it was something she wanted to be a part of.
“ I heard about them and what they do, and I was so impressed I applied that March,” Chopra said in an interview with The Journal.
Anran Wang, Comm ’25, and the other co-chair, initially didn’t envision a business career path. However, her search for a campus club that resonated with her personal and academic interests led her to Q+ in her third year.
“I applied because I never meant to take the business route. It was super nerve wracking for me to other clubs. I thought this would be a good mix of who I was and business. My two worlds collided right there into a perfect club for me. And that was Q+,” Wang said.
With an emphasis on community, Q+ has expanded beyond the confines of Smith, welcoming students from a diverse range of programs across Queen’s. Opening the club up to include Arts and Science students was especially important this year for Chopra and Wang, especially since they realized the lack of engagement from Commerce students—a gap they were eager to fill to create a more inclusive campus environment.
Both co-chairs acknowledged the reluctance among Commerce students to engage with Q+, attributing it to societal stigmas surrounding LGBTQ+ identities and concerns that openness could hinder career aspirations in business.
“There’s such a lack of queer identities in Smith commerce, not because I don’t think they’re there. I think it’s because people are afraid to come out, or afraid to put it on their sleeve because of what people might think, or the kind of stigma around it. That’s what Q+ is trying to shut down,” Wang added.
Through initiatives likes resume building workshops, mentorship programs, and a dedicated professional development tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, Q+ has made it their mission to enhance career prospects while simultaneously promoting inclusivity on campus.
Q+’s mentorship program pairs mentees with industry professionals who guide them through the career challenges specific to the LGBTQ+ community, while fostering connections that extend beyond academic years. Wang emphasized the importance of these connections, noting her own ongoing mentorship that has significantly aided her navigation of professional spaces as a queer individual.
The organization’s end of year conference serves as a pinnacle event for networking and skill development within the LGBTQ+ professional sphere. Each year, the conference embraces a different theme—this year, it celebrated queer excellence.
This event is particularly special for attendees like Chopra, who emphasized its role in affirming LGBTQ+ identities within professional settings.
“With having a queer identity, there is this embedded fear, ‘like should I put that on my resume? Should I say that in the interview? It’s kind of nice, just having someone who’s, made it in the industry look at you and say, ‘you can, and you can be yourself.’’ Whenever I go to conferences like that, or we have our own conference, I feel so reaffirmed in my own identity,” Chopra said.
For Chopra, Q+ has been more than just a club—it’s been a transformative force in her life, bolstering her confidence and leadership skills.
“It’s not just a club,” she said. “It’s been my biggest er in many ways. It’s changed my life and helped me become who I am.”
Looking ahead, both co-chairs are enthusiastic about the future of Q+ and the opportunity to give back to those who gave so much to them.
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