This in-person Career Connections seminar will take place in Albuquerque, NM in partnership with Global Ties US. The event is designed to provide U.S. ExchangeAlumni with skills, resources, and ideas to grow professionally. From interactive workshops on team building, mentorship, and persuasive communications, to panels on inclusive programing, international business, and more, this seminar will equip attendees with countless learning opportunities to build their professional selves.
Date: September 16-18
Location: Albuquerque, NM (in-person)
NOTE: To participate in Career Connections and Career Connections Global+ programming, attendees must be U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni and registered for an account on the International Exchange Alumni website at www.alumni.state.gov.
How to Participate
To participate in Career Connections and Career Connections Global+ programming, attendees must be U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni and registered for an account on the ExchangeAlumni website at www.alumni.state.gov.
If you have trouble renewing or establishing your account, fill out the account inquiry form at alumni.state.gov/account-inquiry.
NOTE: Global Ties U.S. has limited funds to support travel stipends for alumni. If you are not local to the ABQ area but wish to participate and would like stipend support, please email CareerConnections@globaltiesus.org
How to Register
Registration is now open on the ExchangeAlumni website at www.alumni.state.gov.
To register for Career Connections: ABQ, you will need your ExchangeAlumni account login credentials (see How to Participate for more information).
The link to register is available only in the U.S. ExchangeAlumni section of the ExchangeAlumni website. Once you are logged into the ExchangeAlumni site, please click the button below, and then navigate to the “U.S. ExchangeAlumni” section. From there, you will select “Career Connections” on the left sidebar and be able to register.
Agenda*
*Speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Friday September 16
At the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
4:00 p.m. MT: Welcome Reception
Saturday September 17
8:00 a.m. MT: Arrival
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. MT: Networking and Special Performance
9:00 – 9:20 a.m. MT: Opening and Welcome Remarks
- Yuriria Morales, Executive Director, Global Ties ABQ
- Ernie C’deBaca, President and CEO, Albuquerque Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Katherine Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO, Global Ties U.S.
- Michael Hackett, Office of Alumni Affairs, U.S. Department of State
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. MT: Morning Motivation
This session will highlight the importance of perseverance and self-confidence in career development, and the advantages of having a professional network built from diversity.
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. MT: How is ABQ Supporting Diversity?
This session will cover the efforts of the City of Albuquerque in creating equity and inclusion in the community, how to engage U.S. ExchangeAlumni through the lens of diversity, and how U.S. ExchangeAlumni can contribute to the City’s efforts and develop professional skills along the way.
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. MT: Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. MT: Concurrent Breakout Sessions A1 & A2
- A1: Women Diplomats Panel
The panel will focus on professional development, resources, and opportunities provided by the U.S. Department of State for young professionals, and different career opportunities within the government.
Moderator: Lisa Ellis, Executive Director, Global Santa Fe
Panelists: Abigail Olvera, Diplomat, U.S. State Department
- A2: International Business and Trade Panel
Panelists will discuss job creation, professional development, and the importance of diversity empowerment as it relates to economic empowerment from their experiences working in different levels of government and business development.
Moderator: Yuriria Morales, Executive Director, Global Ties ABQ
Panelists: Celeste Nuñez, Director of International Business Resources, New Mexico Trade Alliance and Kristen Gamboa, Senior Economic Developer,Village of Los Lunas.
12:00 – 1:15 p.m. MT: Lunch and Networking
1:15 – 2:00 p.m. MT: Office of Alumni Affairs
The Office of Alumni Affairs cultivates and extends the impact of U.S. Government-funded and sponsored educational and cultural exchange programs through continued engagement with alumni of these programs. This dynamic global network of millions of ExchangeAlumni includes current and former heads of state, Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic athletes, award-winning artists, and untold numbers of community leaders and changemakers around the world.
Paul Garr and Payge Jennings, U.S. Alumni Coordinators.
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. MT: Concurrent Breakout Sessions – B1 & B2
- B1: Team Building and Being a Leader
This interactive workshop will provide the skills and tools to work in a team environment and how to be a successful leader.
Shannon Jacque, Chief Development Officer, The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
- B2: Cover Letter and Resume/CV Building
This interactive workshop will discuss the differences between cover letters, statements of interest, statements of purpose, and resumes/CVs, how to build such documents, and what makes a strong statement when applying for programs and employment.
Alberto Solis, Program & Operations Director, Q Station.
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. MT: Coffee Break
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. MT: How Diversity Will Change Your Industry
The inclusion of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in a workplace has shown increased likelihood of capturing new markets, increased revenue and value creation, and a higher chance of making better decisions. This session will highlight the importance of diversity within different industries.
Dr. Brandale Mills Cox, Founder & Principal Researcher, Inclusive Market Research Group.
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. MT: Cultural Exchange to Engage Diversity
Through cultural exchange, individuals connect on a personal level and create meaningful relationships regardless of their background. This session will highlight the importance of cultural exchange as it enhances mutual understanding of diversity.
Richard Luarkie, Ph.D., President & CEO, Tamaya Ventures
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. MT: Networking Event
Sunday September 18
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. MT: Concurrent Breakout Sessions C1 & C2
- C1: Mentorship, being a good mentee, and identifying a good mentor
This interactive workshop will focus on the importance of mentorship in career development, how to become a good mentee, and how to find a good mentor that fits the needs of each individual. The goal of this workshop is to provide the tools and skills of mentorship development for the participants.
Dr. Manuel Montoya, Associate Professor, International Management, UNM Anderson School of Management.
- C2: Persuasive Communication
This interactive workshop will prepare alumni for interviews, entrepreneurial pitches, and public speaking. Participants will gain skills regarding how to stay calm and focused during public speeches, and how to get their point across in a collected and persuasive manner.
Laurie Magovern, Executive Director, Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation.
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. MT: Coffee Beak and Networking
10:30: – 11:15 a.m. MT: Importance of Mentorship in International Diversity
Norma Ang Sánchez is a career member of the Mexican Foreign Service with more than 25 years of experience. She started a mentorship program for young Mexican females to gain professional and personal skills from their experienced counterparts, and will highlight the importance of mentorship and diversity for the local community.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MT: Closing Remarks
- Michael Hackett, Office of Alumni Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Yuriria Morales, Global Ties ABQ
- Global Ties U.S.
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. MT: Lunch and Special Performance
2:00 p.m. MT: End of Activities
Career Connections are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and implemented by Global Ties U.S. in partnership with the Office of Alumni Affairs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs