Meet Sherie Valderrama, Sodexo Champion of Diversity Award Recipient
By Michelle Thomas, Senior Manager, Diversity Recruiting

Sherie Valderrama, Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition for Sodexo , has been selected as the company’s fourth quarter Champion of Diversity Award Winner.

According to her colleagues, Sherie is extremely deserving of this wonderful recognition. Her unrelenting efforts to uphold the company's culture of diversity and inclusion and her many contributions to support its advancement are making a difference. Some of Sherie's contributions include serving as a role model for building a strong (virtual) recruitment team, significant and ongoing efforts to build a mentoring culture, extensive involvement in external culturally diverse organizations and much more. To learn more about Sherie and this prestigious award click here.

Anticipated College Hires and Internship Placements for 2008 Soar at Sodexo
By Michelle Thomas, Senior Manager, Diversity Recruiting

The future looks extremely bright for college students at Sodexo . This year, the company plans to hire over 200 college students (the most college students in the company’s history) into entry-level management and internship positions. According to Dr. Cassandra Caldwell, Director of College and External Relations for Sodexo , “We are committed to attracting, retaining and developing top young talent at colleges and universities across the nation. These outstanding students will be the future leaders of our company.”

The Sodexo Future Leaders Internship Program applications are available. There is no deadline for applications for the 2008 Future Leaders Internship Program. Interns will be hired on a rolling basis until all openings are filled. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to apply today to receive top consideration for internship placement. For information on how to apply and to see when a Sodexo representative will be on your campus, please click on the internship brochure and recruitment events links to the right.

Sodexo Participates in the First of Five Regional NSMH Events
By Darla Mayse, Senior Recruiter

Sodexo recruiters Anna Hutchinson and Darla Mayse, along with operations partners Allen Malinger and Stephen Wells, recently participated in the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) Midwest Region Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference is an opportunity for its members to gain valuable information to be applied to their personal and professional development from industry leaders. To learn more about this phenomenal event click here.

University of Houston and Sodexo Continue to Build Stronger Ties
By Angel Rideau, Sodexo Ambassador

At the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management Career Fair on October 11, 2007, Bina Vachhani of Sodexo ’s Talent Acquisition Group and Sodexo Ambassador and Health Care Management Trainee Angel Rideau participated in recruitment efforts at the university. They were on a “special mission” to find 10 new Sodexo Management Trainees for Health Care District Manager John French’s area. Students showed great interest in Sodexo and are hopeful to serve as future leaders and managers.

During this time, the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute (HIDI), an exclusive University of Houston Institute that champions the cause of inclusion as an organizational value, held its annual meeting. According to the institute’s Director, Faye Hall Jackson, PhD, CHE, “Through policy, education and outreach efforts, HIDI is at the cornerstone of influencing awareness and acceptance of workplace diversity and its very significant bottom line impact.” Among HIDI members were representatives of organizations such as Marriott, Accor and Darden. Sherie Valderrama served as the newest member representing Sodexo , providing expertise inspired by the company’s strong diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The Sodexo /University of Houston partnership is becoming stronger and will continue to increase as visits by more Sodexo representatives will occur in the near future. Sodexo ’s presence is a great asset to the institute.

Colleges Offer Career Help to Alumni
By Justin Pope, AP Education Writer

Dozens of colleges and universities have begun offering career-counseling services not just to recent graduates, but to thousands of alumni, including some former students who completed their degrees a decade ago or longer. To learn more click here.