Access to the Boys Club - career related event for women

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting is a "national, non-for-profit professional association that creates opportunities, adds value, and builds relationships for its members, the community and its business partners while expanding Latino Leadership in the global workforce". ALPFA organizes various interesting events and here is information about one of them:

Access to the Boys Club

Come join other female professionals at this year's Women of ALPFA events as we explore traditional male characteristics that women can use to advance their careers. The night will consist of intimate table discussions revolving around topics such as taking risks, emphasizing your achievements, and communicating effectively in a male dominated environment.

Date
June 19, 2008 (Thursday)
Time
06:00 P - 09:30 P
Location
University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe Street Chicago IL 60613
Cost
Professional Member
$45.00
Professional Non-Member
$60.00
Student Member
$20.00
Student Non- Member
$30.00

Attire
Business Professional

For tickets and more information go to http://www.myalpfachicago.org/content/pe_woa.php
Contact
info@chicago.alpfa.org

If you don't manage to get to this events check their calendar, this organization is definitely worth keeping in mind even if you are not from Latino background.

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com/

The Instituto Cervantes

The Instituto Cervantes http://chicago.cervantes.es/en/default.shtmhas the same functions and provides the same services relative to the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking countries as Goethe Institut to German language and German-speaking countries (see my earlier posts).

The Institute Cervantes organize Spanish classes and various cultural events. The main activities include:

- Organizes the DELE (Spanish as a Foreign Language Exams).
- Issues official Spanish Language Certificates and Diplomas to our students.
- Organizes Spanish courses: general, skills, enrichment, specific purposes, for corporations, etc
- Offers professional development classes for teachers of Spanish.
- Supports Spanish Language and Culture researchers.
- Promotes cultural activities and events together with other organizations. In Chicago they cooperate with different institutions from Illinois, Spain and Latin America.

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

This information will be very helpful to people of Hispanic background who are thinking about financing their education or education on their children in USA.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) http://www.hsf.net/ is the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. Founded in 1975 as a not-for-profit organization, HSF's vision is to strengthen the country by advancing college education among Hispanic Americans. As an example, during the 2006-2007 academic year, HSF awarded nearly 4,200 scholarships exceeding $26.5 million.

The awards range from 1500 to 5000 USD. General eligibility requirements are simple: your family should be of a Hispanic heritage and being at least a legal resident (Green Card holder, not a citizen yet, though citizens, of course, are eligible by default) is enough to apply. There are also some specific requirements like GPA, for instance, which you can learn about in more detail on the HSF website.

The applications for 2008-2009 school year are now accepeted! So hurry up!

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

IHCC is a great resource for all Hispanic small business owners and the ones who are just thinking of starting a business. IHCC is dedicated to provide FREE services to entrepreneurs through such programs as: Illinois Hispanic Entrepreneurship Center and Small Business Development Center.

Some of the services are:
- Individual counseling
- Business licensing and formation assistance
- Loan packaging
- Business Education and Workshops
- Business Plan Assistance

HICC also organizes various events (Business expos, networking events, etc.) for entrepreneurs.

For more info, please, visit: http://www.ihccbusiness.net/

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

"How to Live and Thrive in the U.S."

On this blog I usually post information about various opportunities for job seekers and entrepreneurs but I could not help sharing the following information about a BOOK that I have recently discovered: "How to Live and Thrive in the U.S." by Donna Poisl. It is a bilingual book targeted to Hispanic immigrants but it will be helpful to everyone else too.

While my book, "The Legal Alien's Guide", help you to find a job, start own business or just find friends, "How to Live and Thrive in the U.S." answers important day-to-day questions of newcomers to USA, such as:
Where do I get my driver license?
What hours are they open?
What do I need to register my children for school?
How do I find a new doctor? and many others.

The book has 2 sites:

In English: http://www.howtoliveandthrive.com/
In Spanish: http://www.howtoliveandthrive.com/

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Chicago Latino Network

Chicago Latino Network, as it is clear from its name is a resourse for all hispanics in Chicagoland. The value that the CLN offers to the community is a weekly newsletter generated with tons of useful information such as: announcements of networking events, career opporunities (i.e. job postings), social gatherings, cultural events (festivals) that are dedicated to Latino community.

You can sign up to receive a free e-newsletter at http://chicagolatinonetwork.com/

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Dialogue on Diversity

Dialogue on Diversity http://www.dialogueondiversity.org/ is a nonprofit educational organization, an official NGO recognized by the United Nations. It is based in Washington D.C. and it organizes nationwide conferences, seminars, internships, and annual leadership award recognition as part of its larger program of entrepreneurship training and international exchange. It's mission is: "The social and political advancement of women and men from diverse cultural, ethnic, and national traditions, fostering increased economic empowerment through promotion and development of entrepreneurial excellence, technology training, networking, and education."

I already posted information about an event put together by Dialogue:
http://legalaliensguide.blogspot.com/2007/06/dialogue-on-diversity-symposium.html But now I wanted to draw your attention to organization itself. The programs it offers are great for both entrepreneurs and those working for someone else. The issues they address directly concern legal aliens here in the U.S. because all of them constitute the diverse strata of American population.

Also it is important to point out that a lot of their events are free of charge (like the aforesaid 1 day Diversity Symposium that took place in Chicago in July). They also provide you with free newsletters. It is worthwhile monitoring their website for up-coming programs and events in your area and may be even become a member.

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

ComEd Scholarship Fund 2007

The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement in partnership with ComEd, an Exelon Company plan to assist Illinois Latino students in furthering their educational goals. ComEd committed to award five qualified recipients a $2,500 scholarship check each in October 2007.

Eligibility Requirements
- Latino students who are Illinois residents
- High school seniors who are expected to graduate in Spring 2008
- College freshmen, sophomores, juniors & seniors who are expected to graduate in spring 2008
- Minimum 3.0 grade point average
- Documented community service
- College studies include or will include: Accounting, Business/Business Administration/Management, Chemistry, Communications, Computer Science, Engineering, Law/Pre-Law, Liberal Arts, Math, Media Relations or Physics

Deadline for application: August 24, 2007

More information and the application form is at: http://www.hace-usa.org/scholarships/ComEd%20scholarship.doc

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Most helpful Chicago guide

http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Hispanic Business Expo

WHAT: A full day event which will include: a lot of networking (with exhibitors and during the official reception in the evening) and very useful seminars for business owners or those who are thinking to start their own business. Some of the seminars are:
- Can I afford to start a business?
- How to sell to the Government?
- How to get money for your business?
- Sales and Marketing
- Managing people and managing risks

WHEN: August 16, 2007 from 8 am, whole day.
WHERE: Chicago, IL, Navy Pier

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER: http://ihccbusiness.net/expo/index.html

"Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success"

Under this name an anual national conference will take place in Chicago, IL on October 20-22, 2007 organized by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). It is organized as a forum for both students and professionals to discuss issues of higher education.

Undergraduate, graduate and professional school students from colleges and universities throughout the Americas are invited from all academic disciplines. Arrive with resumes to discuss career, internship, research and advanced education opportunities. Special Student Track Workshops, Leadership Forums, Student Mixers and a Career Fair will be part of HACU’s 21st Annual Conference.

Students conference rate is 299 USD but before August 10, 2007 you can apply for a Conference Scholarship that will cover the cost of:
(1) conference registration;
(2) travel and lodging for out-of-state students;
(3) conference-related meals; and
(4) conference-sponsored entertainment events.

However the admission to Career Fair only is always FREE and open to all students.

For more information contact Student Track Coordinator: (207) 692-3805, studenttrack@hacu.net

The detailed information aboiut the event and how to apply for scholarships is available at http://www.hacu.net/

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com

Spanish Coalition for Jobs

Today I found an great organization that helps with employment of Spanish speaking population: Spanish Coalition for Jobs http://www.scj-usa.org/ located in Chicago, IL

SCJ has various programs:
1. Educational Programs (ex. Customer Service and Sales program, Office Technology program, etc.)
2. Students Services (ex. career fairs)
3. Employment Services ex. resume writing assistance, job placement counselling, etc.)

SCJ does not organize a lot of networking events but it holds great career fairs. One of them is coming up on May 24. More information can be found at: http://www.scj-usa.org/jobfair.html

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Most helpful Chicago guide
http://www.legalaliensguide.com