Our abundant partnerships help empower students from traditionally underserved communities with the skills, experiences, and guidance they need to succeed in the workforce. Genesys Works Twin Cities has 50+ school partners, 50+ corporate partners, and many community partners who have a shared vision where all young adults can achieve success and a lifetime of economic self-sufficiency
This year, we have a new partnership with the Rae Mackenzie Group to take part in the People of Color (POC) Career Fair which occurs twice annually. Rae Mackenzie Group is a diversity, equity & inclusion marketing firm helping top employers build relationships with professionals of color. Of our interns, 98% identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC), and the POC Career Fair is the perfect opportunity to network, meet and build connections with Twin Cities corporations who are looking for new and driven talent. Our partnership kicked off at the career fair last month, and we had a fantastic time being able to support our alumni at an in-person event.
Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, CEO and Founder of the Rae Mackenzie Group and the Founder of the People of Color Career Fair, shares the importance of the POC Career Fair, “Networking and relationships are everything. If we do not get in the same room and meet each other face to face, it is very difficult to move forward quickly. You need to be in the room with people and make those connections with individuals who can help you move your career forward.”
The POC Career Fair convened around 50 employers at the Minneapolis Convention Center and began with a networking brunch where corporate executives and recruiters could network with attendees. Over the course of the day, the room continued to be full of chatter, new connections, and a glam cam station that encouraged fun.
We were thrilled to see so many attendees connect with recruiters and take the first step toward their dream careers and look forward to growing the Genesys Works attendance. Kanengele Henock Mwanasomwe, a Genesys Works alum, has great action steps to keep the momentum of career fair connections going, “create an email profile with companies you are interested in through their career sites. Add filters to roles you desire so when job postings appear, you can get a direct email. Another alum, Zainab Hashi, found a social work opportunity with a company this fall in hopes of a post-graduate career next spring . Connections made at this event can lead to exciting opportunities for job seekers and valuable additions to the workforce for companies.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the People of Color Career Fair, and to our partners, the Rae Mackenzie Group, for their commitment to young professionals of color. We are already looking forward to the event this fall and the continued impact we can make together.
About Genesys Works
Genesys Works’ mission is to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. We envision a future where all young adults are equipped and empowered with the knowledge and skills required to achieve career success, upward mobility, and a lifetime of economic self-sufficiency. We serve high school students and alumni through our comprehensive program continuum of an eight-week professional and technical summer training, year-long paid internships, college and career coaching, and college and career success support.
