Published: 04/09/2007
Allstate's Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) group hosted its first Job Shadow Day recently for students from I. C. Stars (Inner City Computer Stars), some of whom have been hired by Allstate. I. C. Stars provides IT career programs and services that strengthen the leadership potential of inner city young adults.
HR Senior Manager Will Owens and Process Analyst Desiree Walker helped coordinate the event that was part of BDPA's continuing effort to serve in the community as they represent Allstate. Seven participants visited Allstate for the event.
Owens said, "Job Shadow Day really helps these young adults of college age and beyond see what it might be like to work at Allstate. One of them is now working here and two more have received offers."
Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Da-Silva is now working as a QC Analyst on the Call Center Technology and Distribution Infrastructure team located in Willow Road Plaza.
The day featured the Allstate museum tour, speakers from Allstate, networking, mock interviews with coaching and feedback, and firsthand observation of employees in the database administrator, developer, quality control analyst and business analyst position families.
One of the I. C. Stars participants was Candice Cobb, who said, "I really enjoyed it [the job shadow day] and everyone was very informative and helpful. I thank you again for having us out, it was true a pleasure."
Another participant, Sean Dickerson, said, "Thanks for facilitating our visit today. You answered all of our questions and led a very interesting tour. Every place that I visited had a very positive atmosphere. Allstate is definitely a company that embodies all the qualities of an excellent organization."
From I. C. Stars, Director of Community and Client Relations T. S. Thomas and Director of Career Services Theresa Riley partnered with the Allstate group to plan the event.
Other participants from Allstate included Eric Faily, Derrick Beasley, Angela Harmon, Melissa Rathbun, Mark Blakey, Chris Tuttle, Claudio Ferreira, Richard Wasilewski, Jerie Dahlman and HR Consultant Jonita Wilson who spoke on diversity. HR Consultant Gerald Shaw acted as the emcee and Systems Director Yvette Graham of Enterprise Infrastructure Services and president of the Chicago chapter of BDPA spoke about Allstate's connection to I. C. Stars and the BDPA.
Riley thanked the Allstate group for hosting the event. She said, "Allstate has a beautiful campus, the staff was so gracious, and we had fun. It was an all around positive experience."
Walker summarized BDPA's purpose for the event, saying, "BPDA is instrumental in making an impact in the community and raising awareness around careers in technology. We look forward to helping open the door for people to start their careers in IT."
Planning for the next job shadow event is underway.
For more information on I. C. Stars, visit its Web site.
www.howcanicstars.org
For more information on BDPA, visit these Web sites:
• National Chapter
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