First-Time Career Workshop at JHU SAIS Aims to Prepare 44 Iraqi Refugees for Professional Careers in Their New Homeland
Washington, D.C. -- Two nonprofit organizations, Upwardly Global and The List Project, and Manpower Inc. have teamed up to connect Iraqi refugees who worked for the U.S. government, military, or American contractors and NGOs within Iraq to professional jobs in the United States. The three groups are collaborating to offer a first-of-its-kind career orientation workshop for 44 Iraqi refugees that will be held at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) on Monday, 06/9.
"More than 15 percent of Iraq's population is currently in flight, many of them escaping dire circumstances after tremendous acts of bravery on behalf of the United States. For a newly settled Iraqi family, stable employment is critical to realizing the promise of a safe and secure new life," said Kirk Johnson, founder of The List Project.
Members of the media will have special access to Iraqi job seekers; Kirk Johnson, founder of The List Project; and Jane Leu, founder of Upwardly Global, during a media availability session from 1 to 2 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium of the SAIS Rome Building, located at 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C.
The daylong workshop will include sessions on résumé writing, interviewing techniques and developing networking skills. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with Washington-area employers at a breakfast organized by Manpower Inc. and during roundtable discussions.
Many of the expected participants risked their lives working as translators, interpreters, project managers and cultural advisers to serve the U.S. government and its contractors in Iraq. Now safely resettled in the United States, they seek the tools and contacts that will lead to employment and lasting economic security for their families.
With the help of The List Project (and the legal support of the law firms of Holland & Knight, Proskauer Rose, and Mayer Brown), a growing number of Iraqis who have become endangered as a consequence of their affiliation with the United States are arriving safely in America. Once resettled, the Iraqis face many challenges, often finding themselves unemployed and in need of assistance. Upwardly Global helps highly-skilled immigrants, refugees and asylees reclaim their careers in the United States and helps American employers discover and understand this hidden talent pool.
"Skilled immigrants with international experience and foreign language abilities are a tremendous asset to the American workforce. Forward-thinking employers who seize the opportunity to hire the participants in this program will not be sorry," said Jane Leu, founder of Upwardly Global.
Manpower Inc. invited employers in the Washington, D.C., area to learn about the wealth of experience and skills these Iraqi professionals bring to the greater Washington-area labor market. Employers and other invited guests will have the opportunity to meet Iraqi job seekers, and discuss their unique expertise and career interests.
"Manpower has committed to providing employment assistance to resettled refugees around the world. This group of talented Iraqi professionals will contribute to any organization that is willing to explore the possibilities," said David Arkless, Manpower's senior vice president of Global Corporate Affairs.
Event organizers believe that the Iraqi workshop participants will be well prepared for interviews with interested employers. Manpower, Upwardly Global and The List Project are planning to conduct similar workshops in other cities around the United States.
Reporters who are interested in attending the 1 p.m. session on 06/9 with Iraqi job seekers; Kirk Johnson, founder of The List Project; and Jane Leu, founder of Upwardly Global, should RSVP in advance to Felisa Neuringer Klubes at SAIS at 202.663.5626 or fklubes@jhu.edu or Laura Barrera-Vera at Upwardly Global at 917.446.9245 or laura@upwardlyglobal.org. The session will take in the first-floor auditorium of the SAIS Rome Building, located at 1619 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., in Washington, D.C.
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The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., is a leading graduate school of international affairs, educating students for professional careers in government, business, journalism, international law and non-profit organizations. Founded in 1943 by statesmen Paul Nitze and Christian Herter, SAIS has trained more than 15,000 alumni in all aspects of international affairs.
Upwardly Global is a nationally recognized entrepreneurial nonprofit that works to make the workforce in the United States more global by harnessing the talents, experience and education of legal immigrants. To date the organization has helped nearly 1,000 immigrant professionals from more than 94 developing countries to move from driving cabs,working as security guards and cleaning hotel rooms, back into their original professional career fields at an average salary of $45,000.
The List Project is a small nonprofit organization advocating for the resettlement of Iraqis whose lives were endangered by their work with American organizations. The organization partners with leading law firms to provide pro bono legal services for hundreds of our Iraqi allies now seeking refuge in the United States. Once they arrive, the project works to provide assistance to help them successfully integrate into life in America.
Manpower Inc. is a world leader in the employment services industry. Manpower's business is about helping to give every willing and able person access to, and the resultant benefit of, decent work. The corporation's efforts include working with governments and international organizations to provide efficient and effective employment systems, and with individuals to improve their skills and access to jobs. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2008, the $21 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,500 offices in 80 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients and place millions of workers per year.