Open Avenues Foundation

Today's spotlight is on one of our inspiring fellows, Margarita Vizcaino. Margarita currently works as a Project Engineer at Eagle Construction and Restoration, LLC., where she estimates materials costs, reviews project documentation and technical specifications, and more. With over a decade of experience in Civil Engineering, Margarita leads students through projects in her field of expertise. Born and raised in Guatemala, Margarita was raised in an educator's family and, when she was young, would travel around the nation supporting public schools. She commented on that time, saying, "Those years were special to me, and I knew I needed to be grateful for the opportunities I would have the rest of my life. I have taken advantage of every chance of learning something and I hope that every student can appreciate the blessings of education. I have been a dedicated student all my life with an interest in different topics." We know she brings that dedication and passion for learning to her Build Projects, and we are so proud that she has chosen to share her knowledge through the Open Avenues Foundation. You can learn about our entire cohort of global talent fellows here: https://lnkd.in/eA4A-qS5 #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #ImmigrationPolicy  #TechTalent  #Entrepreneurship  #Startups

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Suffolk University, a distinguished institution known for its dedication to academic rigor, experiential learning, and fostering global citizenship. Suffolk University is committed to preparing students for a rapidly changing world through its innovative blend of liberal arts and professional programs. With a strong emphasis on hands-on experience , Suffolk ensures that students are ready to navigate the complexities of today's interconnected world. One of Suffolk University’s core strengths is its focus on global perspectives. Situated in the heart of Boston, the university offers its students access to a diverse, international community, reinforcing the value of cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. This partnership aligns seamlessly with Open Avenues Foundation's mission to create opportunities for all, especially by empowering foreign nationals in the United States. Our collaboration with Suffolk University will further enhance the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, providing students with invaluable global experiences that will enrich their personal and professional journeys. Want to learn how we can enhance your university’s curriculum? Visit our website for more information! https://lnkd.in/e7CkhtE2 #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

Coffee Chat Series When it comes to networking advice, students and early-career professionals are often encouraged to "cold email people who inspire you and ask for a quick coffee chat." While this sounds simple, the reality is often more challenging. To start with, reaching out to industry leaders and asking for a coffee chat can feel intimidating. Secondly, busy professionals may not always respond to cold messages, which can be frustrating. That’s why Open Avenues is here to break down those barriers and deliver expert guidance straight to you. Every month, you’ll find  an article in our blog that feature different industry experts who will be sharing insightful advice regarding building you career. Are you ready for the next Coffee Chat? Stay tuned to learn who our first industry expert will be! Stay tuned! #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking

NY & San Fran Meetups! This summer, we had multiple meetups across the country; these are  great moments for Fellows to connect and get to know each other. In August, we met in New York and in September, in San Francisco. Danielle Goldman, Cofounder and Executive Director of OAF and Elena Semeyko, Director of STEM Education, hosted these amazing events to catch up with our Fellows. These individuals are doing incredible work, from founding AI companies to working in high-level roles across various industries. Events like these remind us of the importance of Fellows staying connected. At the Open Avenues Foundation, we get the opportunity to bring together talented experts from around the world, and at the end of the day, we think that’s pretty great. #handsonexperience #experiential #learning #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Vanderbilt University, a prestigious institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation. In 2024, Vanderbilt was ranked as the 18th top university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The institution offers robust and prestigious engineering, business, health sciences, and arts curriculums to prepare students to become leaders and innovators. Vanderbilt University's mission is to bring out the best in humanity by pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery, challenging the limits of what's possible, and working diligently to serve others. We can aid this mission by introducing foreign national innovators and experts to Vanderbilt and subsequently providing students opportunities for growth and the chance to bolster their future careers. We look forward to enhancing their academic journey. Learn more about the benefits of our university partnerships on our website! #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

Through our partnership with DataCamp Donates, we are helping students hone the skills that will be the foundation of their future careers. As the world dives deeper into the depths of AI, one thing is for sure: digital literacy will separate those who thrive in their careers from those who are desperate to keep up with the burgeoning technology. According to a new article from Forbes, "by 2030, practically all of us will be expected to understand how data affects our roles and responsibilities. As well as where to find the information we need and what tools we can use to analyze it." Together, we ensure students from Open Avenues' partner universities gain access to courses to support their training in data-driven fields. Learn more about DataCamp and read the full article to learn about the additional skills necessary for tomorrow's workforce here: https://lnkd.in/ds6PH_F6 #handsonexperience #experiential #learning #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent

 We are excited to announce a new partnership with Grand Valley State University (GVSU), an institution recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and community engagement. GVSU prepares globally-minded citizens by employing innovative approaches to liberal education and professional programs, ensuring students are equipped for a lifetime of continual learning and growth . A key aspect of GVSU's core values is its appreciation for international perspectives. The university emphasizes global thinking and acting, recognizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of local, national, and global efforts. This commitment aligns seamlessly with Open Avenues Foundation's mission to create opportunities for all, particularly by supporting and empowering foreign nationals in the United States. Our partnership with GVSU will enhance the university's diverse and inclusive community, providing students with global insights and experiences crucial for personal and professional development. If you want to find out more about how Open Avenues can impact your university's curriculum, visit our website! #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

At Open Avenues, we are guided by the leadership of our board members. This month’s board spotlight is on Nicholas Sykes, an experienced technology business leader and social impact professional. He works at the intersection of Technology, Finance, and Sustainability. Most recently, he was Chief People and Impact Officer at Fearless Technologies. Nicholas is responsible for creating an enriched workplace environment where top talent can join and thrive as part of a uniquely inclusive community. Nicholas has held similar positions with venture-funded startups, including Seniorly, Mosaic Technologies, CiBO Technologies, and Storyblocks. In addition, he has worked as an advisor/coach with the founders of multiple technology startups and impact ventures (Partake Foods, Aurora Solar, Clyde Group, HCM Strategists, and others). Previous work experience includes Palantir Technologies, Bridgewater Associates, and JP Morgan. Nicholas is passionate about education and driving workforce equality initiatives. He is fortunate to be an alum of the Sponsors for Educational Opportunities (SEO) Wall Street access program, which he continues to engage with and support. Nicholas received his MBA from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business, and his undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University. We recently sat with Nick to learn more about what talent acquisition and hiring managers are looking for in the workforce of tomorrow. He shared great insights about his advice to current college students and those early in their careers. We will share his insights over the next few weeks. Stay tuned. #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education

Calling #DCDonates and Classrooms learners! The Open Avenues community is invited to join the Summer Camp Sweepstakes for a chance to win $25 gift cards. Perfect for all skill levels, you can complete the requirements for this competition in ONE SITTING just by learning whatever you want and completing your Portfolio. Enter today! https://lnkd.in/dU4Xw8K9 #datacamp #openavenuesfoundation

Every now and then, an Open Avenues Build Fellow will write an absolute gem of a Slack post that lets us know we're fulfilling our mission to build career pathways for everyone, no matter where they are from. The latest comes from Ed Sioufi. Ed currently works as an Open Avenues Software Development Build Fellow and is the CTO/CPO at Big Little Robots. He holds a  B.S. in computer engineering and an M.S. in management systems from Télécom Paris. It was particularly satisfying to learn about Ed's newfound connections with his students. We're all about bridging the gap between global talent and U.S. students and having them learn from each other! If you want to learn more about Ed’s career and his expertise in software development, you can read an article he wrote here: https://lnkd.in/e668vQpu #H1BVisa  #USImmigration  #GlobalTalent  #Innovation  #OpenAvenuesFoundation  #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio