Why Oregon MEChA Statewide Is Closing the Achievement Gap.

Fourteen years after the founding of Oregon MEChA Statewide, the '08 MEChA Leadership Institute gathered student officers from around the state at Mt Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, last Friday, Nov. 7th. We were warmly welcomed to the campus by the chapter advisor, Ms Elizabeth Perry. In a room of 31 officers, board member and Western Oregon University alumn Ms Eloina Franco posed the question,

"How many of you have anyone in your family that has graduated college?"

Only 1 hand shot up. Exactly, that's why Oregon MEChA Statewide is here. To close this achievement gap.

The Institute has been closing the high school achievement gap since it was first launched. Aimed at the high school MEChA student officers, these students learn about good study habits, college entrance exams, life in college, running effective meetings, taking minutes, fundraising, recruiting members, and in general being good citizen role models. Some want to study engineering, others business. Some want to start at a community college, others want to go straight to a four-year.

I was pleased to run into Mr Jerardo Marquez of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. His group awards scholarships annually, this years' application opens Dec 1, 2008. Forty-nine hardworking students received help last year, $145K total awarded. Marquez noted that the average award is between $2-5K. Board member, Mr Juan Mayoral, a retired U.S. Army Paratrooper and Portland State University alumn also expressed his delight of this year's Institute. I was glad to see Mayoral still pounding the ground for these bright students. I was also invited by the college MEChistAs from Western Oregon University promoting the 2009 MEChA Regional Conference. Their hope is that through their conference they can expose these Latino students to the college atmosphere, and perhaps recruit a few to the Monmouth campus. Again, closing the achievement gap.

Last month, the board had asked if I would present a 50-minute workshop on effective meetings. I agreed. The bright, smart and articulate MEChA high school students that I witnessed as a presenter at this year's Institute was super reassuring. Ladies, and gentlemen with these students, their supporting families and their advisors closing the achievement gap is closing. To the attendees and advisors, as promised I've embedded my powerpoint below using SlideShare. Let me know if you run into any issues clicking through. As always I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

Enjoy! -David Molina, Co-Founder/CEO, BilingualHire

The Effective Meeting

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: mecha meetings)

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How Bilingual Talent [Spanish+ English] will change the way we do business

Bilingual [Spanish+ English] talent in today's employment market is today's valuable and strategic asset. Lets look at some of the numbers:

1. Fastest-growing segment in the U.S. [Latinos already are the nation's largest segment]
2. Fastest-growing language in the U.S. [500+ million people worldwide] and the fastest-growing language, after English.
3. Advertising revenues for Spanish-language stations and networks leading the charge. For instance, many of the nation's best-known consumer companies (ex. The Coca Cola Company, The Procter & Gamble Company) have for years started increasing commercials in Spanish
4. "Se habla español"

Growing number of organizations are nailing it down to a science . Organizations see the change in demographics and they are being proactive about it. They recruit bilingual talent that can meet the market demands and promote them to higher levels of responsibility. Take for instance, Seaside U.S. Bank (Oregon) who does understand these market changes and are fulfilling a need. According to the Daily Astorian 8/11/2008, Bilingual teller reaches out to customers, "increasing number of Spanish-speaking residents are flocking to use her [Montes] as a banking resource, trusting her to guide them through the American system." Montes started as a teller, and because of her hardwork, skills, and work ethics was promoted to oversee other tellers resulting in more customers being taken care of. So what is your organization doing to recruit bilingual talent, remain competitive and preparing communities for success? If we think about Number 1-4 and how this applies to building the next generation of workforce, it's something we think of as an investment. What's your take?

Three things to advance your career

First off, take control of your career by organizing your portfolio, and setting clear goals. Sounds simple? If you want to be a physical therapist, then seek out an informational interview w/ a local top health institution by referral or through networking. Have a subject-matter expert review your resume, and cover letter before proceeding. Even after the interview continue refining your quantitative and qualitative skills to ensure your sharp.

Secondly, ensure your name is in peoples mind. The adage 'out of site, out of mind' is quite relevant in today's fast-paced employment environment. A family member once remarked, "dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres" [tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are]. Surround yourself w/ solid people and associates. If its the boss or close co-worker you trust and admire, then study him/her on what great qualities they have and seek self-improvement. Sometimes we learn more from the guy down the hallway w/ no title.

Finally, be aware of the trends. Remember the wise words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones." Whether its the local or business media, streamlined over the web, or blogs be attentive on your surroundings, demographic changes, downsizing, high-growth organizations and of course promotions/demotions. Our advice: seek more responsibility in the organization and surpass the expectations.

At BilingualHire, we're listening. What is your organization's challenges for recruiting bilingual [Spanish+ English] talent? What are you doing to prepare for the next career move?

-David