More than 400 attendees visited Marymount University’s Ballston Center in September for the Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s (NOVAHCC) sixth-annual National Diversity Career Expo. Held during Hispanic Heritage Month at Virginia’s first and only Hispanic-Serving Institution, the two-day event celebrated diversity and inclusion in the workforce as job seekers engaged with leading employers in fields such as technology, health care, banking, transportation, hospitality, retail and more.
“In our efforts to develop career opportunities, we often rely on the generosity and expertise of our employer partners, typically offering university swag and heartfelt thanks in return. With this event in partnership with the Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we elevated our appreciation by offering a meaningful platform for professional development,” said Dr. Brianna Clark-Williams, Director of Marymount’s Center for Career Development and Community Engagement. “This platform not only benefits our students and the Arlington community but also enriches our partners through engagements and tailored educational sessions facilitated by our esteemed faculty, university leadership and influential community figures.”
“This event not only highlights the importance of diversity in the workplace, but also provides a vital platform for job seekers and employers to connect and foster meaningful professional relationships,” added Susana Marino, President and CEO of NOVAHCC – an organization dedicated to promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the Northern Virginia area. “The National Diversity Career Expo consistently attracts the top 40 employers from the Washington metro area, including federal government agencies. Each year, the opening ceremony features high-ranking speakers who provide deep insights into the state of the workforce.”
The first day was dedicated to the Career Development Summit, with attendees participating in dynamic sessions on critical topics such as cultural competency, career resilience and generational differences in the workplace. Additional discussions focused on recruiting international talent, workplace accessibility and navigating implicit bias in hiring.
These sessions, led by Marymount staff and prominent alumni, provided attendees with actionable insights to navigate today’s evolving job market. The summit was an invaluable opportunity for many participants to hone essential career skills while connecting directly with industry professionals and experts.
“The session on hiring international students was most impactful for me as it clarified the complexities around work visas, sponsorship and navigating the hiring process as an international candidate,” explained Marymount student Jonathan Sumbela. “The panel of immigration experts provided practical advice on approaching companies with a history of hiring international students and tips on how to clearly communicate my value as a candidate.”
The second day of the event featured the highly anticipated Career Expo, with hundreds of attendees getting to connect directly with employers. This annual event has a proven track record of creating meaningful professional connections and promoting workforce diversity in the national capital region. Leading companies and organizations from the Washington, D.C., metro area, including WMATA, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, MGM National Harbor, PBS and Northwest Federal Credit Union, were on site to meet with qualified candidates. With employers from the private sector, nonprofits and federal, state and county government agencies, the expo underscored the importance of attaining diverse talent to foster innovation and organizational growth.
The event also allowed attendees to take advantage of a unique and effective platform for networking, career development and attaining industry insights as they built professional connections, learned from notable speakers and engaged in workshops that enhanced their employability.
“As a student job seeker, I connected with employers like MGM and PBS, and those connections are really important for my plans after graduation,” said Bridgitte Callahan, a junior at Marymount studying Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. “Talking to these companies allowed me to practice professionalism in a formal setting, which is helpful as I prepare for my career.”
Find out more about other upcoming career events and how to participate in future job expos.
