The Fourth International Career & Job Expo took place February 26, at Trevecca University’s Boone Business Center, 333 Murfreesboro Pike. The purpose of this event was to promote professional development and to increase career and networking opportunities within middle Tennessee’s international, multicultural and diverse communities.
“We’ve worked for more than 10 years with organizations across the state to help them reach out to multicultural and diverse communities, so we decided to organize this event again this year to create networking opportunities for all interested in making those connections,” said Marcela Gómez, president of Hispanic Marketing Group and a member of the Culture Shift Team.
Other members of the Culture Shift Team are Ann Gillespie president of ProLingua, Inc. and Paola Serrano president of PS Graphic Design. The Culture Shift Team helps companies and organizations navigate global communities and markets, offering expertise in multicultural strategy, consulting, training and diverse community outreach.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, the number of foreign-born workers engaged in Tennessee’s work force more than doubled from 2000 to 2011. A second study, conducted by the Brookings Institute in 2011, shows that about 75% of Nashville’s foreign-born population of working age is categorized as either mid- or high-skilled. This event aims to provide an opportunity for employers and jobseekers in the greater middle Tennessee area to connect.
“We see this event as an opportunity to fulfill our mission, which is to enhance economic and educational opportunities by connecting the Latino business community with middle Tennessee,” said Mayra Zimmer, Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce board president.
Companies participating build their network of diversity-minded recruiting contacts while connecting with jobseekers. Multicultural community chambers and organizations also had an opportunity to be a part of the expo to promote their services, attract new members and network with new business associates.
While this event was geared to be culturally appropriate for global, multicultural professionals, it was an inclusive event and free to all jobseekers and those looking to build professional relationships within a variety of sectors.
