A panel of Portuguese-speaking professionals will share their personal stories and professional journeys during a Career Conversations panel scheduled for Sept. 24 from 12:30 to 2:30pm at 305 Founders College.
The event, organized by York University’s Career Centre in partnership with Portuguese Studies, provides students with an opportunity to explore a variety of careers that bilingual and multilingual professionals have pursued.
During this panel, Portuguese-speaking professionals will discuss (in English) how their career paths took them from graduation to where they are now, and what knowledge, skills and experiences helped them succeed. They will share the types of opportunities were available to them, what choices they made and why.
The discussion will be moderated and followed by an open forum where students will have an opportunity to ask the panellists their own questions.
Panellists include: Angelo Gomes, cabin crew with Air Canada; Cristina Martins, member of provincial parliament; Ana Ochoa, chief representative office of Caixa Geral de Depósitos; Jose Rodrigues, Rodrigues Law and York alumnus; and Steven Silva, alumnus and department head/secondary teacher at Toronto Catholic District School Board.
In addition to the panel, the event will also recognize the recipient of this year’s The Dark Stones: The Azorean Spirit Award.
Tali Yanuka Paonessa, who graduated in 2014 with a bachelor of arts with honours in Spanish and Portuguese studies (minor), Summa Cum Laude and member of the Dean’s Honour Roll, will receive the award.
Sponsored by Caixa Geral, the award recognizes the academic achievements of students enrolled in the Portuguese & Luso-Brazilian Studies program at York University.
The award is open to full-time students enrolled in the program who have completed at least 12 credits, and who have maintained an overall grade point average of at least 7.00. It also considers the co-curricular and extra-curricular involvement of the candidates.
This award honours José Dias de Melo, author of the seminal novel Dark Stones (1964), an important Portuguese writer from the Azores. He is popularly known as the writer of the whales due to his extensive work regarding the whaling industry and the saga of the Azorean people. A staunch defender of equality, dignity, social justice and freedom, Dias de Melo’s works have emphasized the plight of poverty, injustice and systemic exploitation inflicted on the Azorean people. His many works, which include some available in translation, are especially poignant to Azoreans, including a large community in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, due to York University’s commitment to social justice, diversity and the global community, this award also speaks to the University’s mission and priorities.
Caixa Geral de Depósitos is a leading Portuguese banking Institution and the largest bank of Portugal. With representation worldwide, Caixa Geral de Depósitos is also a prominent contributor to community, cultural and educational development and support.
Registration is required for this event; to register, visit the Career Centre website. Refreshments will be provided for participants.