I did a double take. So did the conference-goers around me. A group of high school girls was making its way through the exhibit hall of SIA’s CWS Summit North America conference, held in Dallas in September.
Amid the suits and professional dresses, their school uniforms stood out. But the students’ demeanors were as professional and focused as anyone else’s in the hall as they learned all they could about résumés, interview techniques and networking.
Vendors, attendees and panel speakers alike stepped up to answer their questions. Though LanceSoft, Bullhorn, Guidant Global and Glider AI had partnered on inviting the students as well as creating a scholarship fund, people from an array of companies offered advice, LinkedIn connections — and lots of conference swag.
This is just one example of how the staffing industry is mentoring and guiding young people. In our profiles of the 2023 Global Power 150 Women in Staffing honorees (page 16), you’ll read how many are committed to nurturing, advising and promoting junior employees as well as championing DE&I initiatives.
Such efforts pay off for the industry — and the organizations we serve. SIA’s Healthcare Staffing Analyst Crystal Fullilove argues that everyone benefits when women and people of diverse backgrounds are empowered to lead. “Gender-diverse teams have higher sales and profits compared to male-dominated teams and have higher average revenue than less diverse business units,” she writes in her article, “Finding Balance” (page 8).
Perhaps some of those young women in Texas will become staffing professionals. Even if they don’t, the opportunity they had to meet with people at the top of their fields will help them understand the nuances of business. And reap the joys of some sweet swag.
We would love to hear your stories. Have you mentored others or benefited from a mentor yourself? Reach out to us with your experience.
