May MCDA RoundTable
The Minnesota Career Development Association (MCDA) offers monthly RoundTable meetings that focus on selected career development topics to help us become better practitioners. RoundTables also serve as a time to network with colleagues working in a variety of sectors. Note that you do not need to be a MCDA member. We encourage you to spread the word to your non-MCDA member colleagues!
The next RoundTable will focus on immigrants in the workforce.
Topic: Immigrants and Refugees in Our Evolving Workforce
When: Thursday, May 20, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 7:30
Facilitators: Rachel Factor and Erin Olsen
Where: University of Minnesota Law School Room 471 (http://www.law.umn.edu/contact/directions.html)
Please RSVP to Liz Brenner at elizabethgrace1@gmail.com no later than Tuesday May 18, 2010. We will be serving food at our next meeting, so please RSVP to ensure there is enough for everyone. Also, if you have any food allergies or preferences, include that in your RSVP.
The United States has a long history of immigration and Minnesota has traditionally been welcoming of immigrant populations. In recent years, Minnesota has become home to the second largest Hmong population and the largest Somali and Oromo population in the country. With a large number of foreign born individuals in our state, we have had an influx of new ideas, cultures, and tensions brought into the workforce. In order to positively affect our economy, it is vital that our thinking continues to evolve with the changing demographics.
We will discuss the barriers that foreign born workers face, challenges that career counselors encounter, and most importantly, the successes and benefits of having a diverse workforce.
Here are some resources to explore before the discussion:
Overview of Immigration in Minnesota (explore the site!):
http://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/immigration/overview.htm
Economic Power of Immigrants in Minnesota:
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/New_Americans_in_the_North_Star_State_2009.pdf
An Iraqi Refugee’s Story:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/04/issues_2008/
Video: Why is an MBA cleaning offices? (Professional Immigrants)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrJtWvlTWF0