Immigration in the Workforce

Immigration in the Workforce is a Senior Capstone focusing on immigration, sociocultural behavior, and workforce development. Students will assist a non-profit workforce development agency called SE Works Inc.  Outside of class, students develop and edit ESL curriculum, and teach ESL classes to immigrants as they transition to life in the United States.

Students will learn the following: how to write a successful resume; an understanding of the political, social, and economic implications of immigration in the United States; the understanding and ability to participate in cross-cultural communication; and how to think critically about social responsibility as it pertains to living in a culturally diverse world.

The objectives of this course are to:

  • Understand the political, social, and economic implications of immigration in the United States;
  • Expand the understanding and ability to participate in cross-cultural communication; and to
  • Think critically about social responsibility as it pertains to living in a culturally diverse world.

Please contact Andrew Reed, areed@pdx.edu, for more information.

 

Project

Immigration in the Workforce

Students have opportunities both in class and in the community to challenge assumptions, stereotypes and biases, increase communication and conflict resolution skills and knowledge, and provide service to immigrants who are looking to increase their incomes.

Past Capstone projects established ESL programs, conducted surveys on hiring practices with limited-English proficiency (LEP) workers, created picture dictionaries for employees in health care and manufacturing industries, and built a website to help LEP populations better understand how to transition into life in the U.S.

For the PSU Fall, Winter, Spring terms in 2009-2010, students will be creating and teaching four-week content based ESL courses for the partner organization. Course topics will vary depending on community demand. In the Spring term, the class will do an assessment alongside the community partner to determine next steps for the partnership.

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