Every Voice Heard: GE Appliances Breaks the Mold for Career Panels and Multilingual Professionals at Doss High School
In the Academies of Louisville, our central mission is to get students out of their seats and into the real world. We believe that true learning happens through active participation, not passive listening. Yet, too often, traditional career panels fall short of this model, turning into one-way lectures that fail to truly engage students. This is why a recent event at Doss High School stood out, serving as a powerful example of what's possible when partners like GE Appliances commit to a hands-on approach.
GE Appliances, a long-standing partner in fostering Louisville's talent, transformed a career panel into a dynamic workshop. This event was organized by Angela Thomas, GE Appliances’ External Manufacturing Workforce Development Trainer, who leveraged her background as a teacher to bridge the worlds of education and industry. Her unique perspective transformed passive listening into active engagement, directly linking multilingual students to tangible career pathways where their unique skills are not just recognized, but celebrated.
A New Model for Engagement
From the moment the event began, it was clear this was not a typical panel. Fifty-five multilingual seniors gathered to meet GE Appliances' Every Voice Ambassadors. These ambassadors—Iranzi, Rahan, and Victoria—are themselves multilingual professionals who actively support new hires navigating both language and cultural landscapes within the company.
The format immediately encouraged interaction. Following introductions, students were prompted to turn to their neighbors, sharing a language they speak or a detail about their family's heritage. This simple yet powerful exercise instantly fostered a sense of community, highlighting the rich tapestry of linguistic diversity in the room.
The panel itself was structured as an interactive dialogue, punctuated by engaging "brain breaks." In one segment, students paired up to "act it out," nonverbally communicating scenarios like waving to a new coworker or pointing out a safety hazard. Panelists led by example, demonstrating how observation and non-verbal cues are critical for understanding, especially across language barriers. In another activity, ambassadors gave simple instructions in their native languages, challenging students to follow along through observation and peer cues. Whether it was "touch your nose while standing on one foot" in Spanish or "pat head and rub belly" in Swahili, the activities underscored a vital lesson: understanding isn't solely reliant on spoken words, but on a holistic approach to communication.
Beyond Language: A Story of Strength
Perhaps the most significant impact of the "Every Voice" panel was its unwavering focus on career pathways for multilingual professionals. The ambassadors shared their personal journeys—from Iranzi's transition from teaching, to Rahan's years as an interpreter for U.S. Special Forces before joining GE Appliances, to Victoria’s shift from preschool education. Each story underscored a powerful truth: being multilingual is not a weakness, but a profound strength and a distinct advantage in the modern workplace.
"Just speaking a different language is not a weakness, it’s strength," Rahan emphasized, directly challenging a common misconception. He recounted his own struggles with English and cultural norms, encouraging students to always ask questions. Iranzi echoed this, highlighting how multilingualism fosters a "sense of belonging" and "collaboration," opening doors to understanding diverse opinions. Victoria added that knowing a second language even aids in understanding other, different languages, showcasing a broader cognitive benefit.
Real-World Advice and Candid Conversations
Following the panel, students broke into smaller, language- and culture-based groups for intimate discussions with their paired ambassadors. Here, personal experiences of misunderstanding and strategies for asking for help were shared, reinforcing the idea that these challenges are common and navigable. The discussions were candid and provided invaluable, real-world insights that textbooks cannot replicate. Rahan, for example, shared a crucial lesson about the importance of punctuality in American corporate culture, a significant cultural difference for some. This honest exchange helped students understand that success is built on more than just job skills; it's also about cultural competency.
Key Recommendations for Replicating a Successful Career Panel
The GE Appliances "Every Voice" event was a masterclass in engagement. For other professionals and companies looking to create a similar impact, here are a few key takeaways:
Move Beyond the Podium: Don't just lecture. Incorporate interactive activities, "brain breaks," and small-group discussions to get students actively participating. This makes the experience more memorable and the lessons more impactful.
Embrace Multilingualism as an Asset: Frame language skills and cultural backgrounds not as barriers to overcome, but as strengths to be celebrated. This validates students' identities and helps them see a clear path to success.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use personal stories and real-world examples to illustrate career paths. The GE Appliances ambassadors didn't just talk about their jobs; they shared their professional journeys, showing how their skills evolved and were applied.
Connect to Concrete Opportunities: End the session by outlining tangible pathways for students, whether it's through internships, tuition assistance programs, or entry-level positions. This provides a clear next step and reinforces the value of their time.
Make it Personal: Breakout sessions based on language or culture allow for deeper, more personal conversations. This fosters a sense of psychological safety and gives students a chance to ask questions they might not ask in a larger group.
See the session’s schedule here, and check out video recordings from the panels here.
Pathways to a Brighter Future
The event culminated with GE Appliances outlining concrete career opportunities for the students. They discussed production roles starting at competitive wages with no prior experience, tuition reimbursement up to $6,000 annually, and co-op programs for those pursuing higher education. These pathways were presented not as distant dreams, but as accessible realities. The company made it clear: they value the diverse perspectives and communication skills that multilingual individuals bring, and they are committed to providing the resources to help them build a long and prosperous career.
The GE Appliances "Every Voice" event at Doss High School was a vivid demonstration of how multilingualism is a powerful asset in the professional world. By creating an interactive, culturally-aware, and forward-looking experience, GE Appliances not only connected students to real-world opportunities but also empowered them to see their unique linguistic and cultural backgrounds as their greatest strengths for future success. This is a model of partnership and career exploration that truly resonates, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.