FullConTech Fall 2017 brought 60 participants from the agriculture and technology industries, government, education, and nonprofit organizations to Sleeping Lady in Leavenworth to talk about the Immigrant Workforce. The event gave participants an opportunity to connect with each other in a more personal way, and go deeper in their problem-solving discussions. Topics included building a coalition that could work together to influence immigration policy, and improving the experience of living in our communities for immigrant workers.

From the discussions at FullConTech, plays were created that featured project ideas that could be completed. These included:

• 2.4: Create a welcome kit to introduce arriving immigrant workers to our local culture and government.
• 2.9: Work with community centers in the Puget Sound area to create tech job training programs, job search workshops, and skill certification for immigrant workers.

We checked in with a few volunteers who worked on the plays, and how the process has come along so far.

2.4

Part of the discussions at FullConTech included how to make the process of immigrating to the U.S. a bit more easier. A play was formed that would create a “welcome kit” for immigrants, providing helpful resources depending on their situations. The play focused on two specific demographics of immigrants: students and workers immigrating through visas. A group of volunteers helped to interview workers and students, and collected the most popular questions. Answers to the questions were then researched and provided by the volunteers. The “welcome kit” is taking the form of a web page hosted on WTIA’s website that lists useful resources and answers popular questions.

Lokesh Marenayakanapalya, a software engineer at F5 Networks, understood the need for a resource like this in the community. “When I first came to the U.S. i didn’t have any information. Finding a bank, applying for social security, etc. These days, that info is available but it’s scattered. This will help get them the right information from one source.”

“In the lense of a new person coming to this country for a job, you don’t know how to get a bank account or a driver’s license,” said Nishat Akhter, Principal Systems Analyst at F5 Networks, who helped to provide the answers to the popular questions for the resource. “Working on this play, our team wanted to roll up our sleeves and put in the effort. It puts a lot of accountability on the people who want to make a difference.”

The resource has recently been completed. The answers to the popular questions that immigrants ask were reviewed by Tahmia Watson, an immigration lawyer, for accuracy. You can find the Welcome Kit for Immigrants to the Seattle Area here.

Akhter believes this resource will have a positive impact on those searching for the information it will provide. “With projects like this, you have to do a good job of getting the word out; it needs to get in the hands of people who need it,” said Akhter. “I’m speaking on a panel to discuss diversity and immigration soon. When I brought up the welcome kit, others on the panel were excited to hear about it. If we can get the word out, lots of people can use it in different ways.”

Marenayakanapalya is aware of how valuable the resource will be once the word gets out about its availability to the public. “This resource will help people who are just arriving to a new country. Since it’s reviewed by a lawyer, this info will be authenticate and really help people who are coming here to study or work.”

2.9

The volunteer team for the 2.9 play decided to focus on helping the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center with their clients–refugees with tech experience in their home countries–get on a career path in the U.S. that’s in line with their own goals. Many immigrants come to the U.S. and take on jobs in industries that they may be overqualified for, such as a someone working as a security guard when they have a background as an engineer.

Fernando Ramirez, STEM Educational Case Manager at the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center, attended FullConTech and worked to develop the 2.9 play to help refugees find more career opportunities. “Many refugees take on jobs driving taxis, delivering packages, and in some cases, work as cashiers. Their jobs are dignified, but we feel that they can be even more satisfied if they work in the right field for them,” said Ramirez. “A lot of talent is wasted because of the lack of information. They have to understand the whole system, and that takes time beyond learning English.”

The main objective of the play was to connect managers of organizations that are in contact with refugees with the private sector. Focusing on case workers and improving the resources they can provide to refugees was a priority. Ramirez worked with Juan Gril, an Executive Producer at FlowPlay, to get the project off its feet.

“I proposed that we create a network of mentors. If we can make mentors reachable for refugees that provide career plans and certification courses, we are making a difference,” said Gril. “This network will help case workers too. They won’t have to know every career specialty and technological term. “

The volunteers of this play are continuing to use their resources to increase the professional network. Resources from the King County Library System are being utilized. A video for human resources focused on resources for immigrants is also in the planning stages. Ramirez and Gril organized a meeting two months ago with case workers, to start planning on building a professional network they can reference.

Currently, the next stage is to hold a session at Hack Diversity facilitated by WTIA’s Julie Pham, where Ramirez will bring in five immigrants/refugees he’s been working with, and case workers from various organizations like TRAC Associates, International Rescue Committee, and Jewish Family Services. They will use the insights of tech industry employees to do real-time case consultancies. The immigrants will get advice on how to get tech jobs, and the case workers will compile best practices so they can help future clients. “We want to continue to establish partnerships and collaborate, so we can make this process more effective and faster,” said Ramirez.

The volunteers on this play hope to spread consciousness about this issue, and that feedback can be provided by caseworkers to improve resources for immigrants looking to get back on track with their careers.

Gril sees a lot of potential for making an impact on the local community. He said,“I think this will help us make a difference for certain people who are changing countries, cultures, and society. It will also potentially eliminate many common issues that human resources can have. It’s just the right thing to do.”

Both play volunteer teams praised their experience at FullConTech and working on the plays. “FullConTech is a lot more hands on than other similar events I’ve been to,” said Marenayakanapalya. “WTIA is making an effort to bring people from areas of specialization or expertise. The attendees are interested in the topics and are like-minded people. I’d recommend anyone to join the next one.”

“The dynamics and tools used to develop a network face-to-face is very creative and effective,” said Ramirez. “We’re creating a plan, and someone took the time to identify the commonalities that immigrants are facing. This way of doing things is effective.”

Akhter, who has worked on playbooks from FullConTech before, was pleased to work on both plays. “Having gone through the experience, working with cross-sector volunteers that manage their own work, is amazing. If you are interested and put in the effort, it can give you a sense of ownership and accountability completing a project.”

“You can make sure you bring something constructive to society and your community. I constantly recommend it to people who want to make a difference,” said Akhter.

Join us for FullConTech on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Microsoft Visitors Center, Redmond, WA, focused on building a workplace where people want to join, stay, and grow.