With this issue, Sodexo has combined its two newsletters, C@reer Connections and Careers@Sodexo, into one newsletter going forward. With this new issue, we have also expanded the number of links that will enable you to access additional content tailored to a range of interests. We hope that this new format will make it easier for you to locate the information of specific interest to your career goals and aspirations.

Sodexo’s test-piloted program “The Balanced Way” is taking off at a college campus near you! With a scheduled autumn 2008 launch, Sodexo-contracted campuses will begin to implement healthy choices for students across the country. Read more »

As the leading provider of integrated food and facilities management in more than 6000 locations throughout North America, Sodexo strives to be a partner in driving community-based initiatives that benefit employees, customers, clients, shareholders and the surrounding communities. One of these grassroots efforts is our partnership with the National Urban League Black Executive Exchange Program in giving classroom presentations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) throughout the year. Sodexo is the leading provider of outsourced services to more than 30 HBCUs, and we are committed to sharing the expertise of our executives with these organizations and their students. Read more »

George Chavel, Sodexo President and CEO

Sodexo has been named Corporation of the Year for its long-standing commitment to furthering the education of Hispanic youth. The award from the Hispanic College Fund was accepted by Sodexo President and CEO George Chavel at the HCF's annual scholarships dinner in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17. In his acceptance remarks, Chavel said that, to meet the challenges of a demographically changing American workforce, Sodexo "is investing in a diverse workforce by supporting higher education among minorities."

"The most important work we can all do is to provide opportunities for students," added Chavel, "and then step aside and marvel as they seize those opportunities and flourish." Read more »

Sodexo Recognized as Industry Leader for Its Commitment to Talent

At Sodexo, we are a “people” company, and we know the value our employees bring to our company, our clients and our customers. We focus our resources on identifying, developing and engaging top talent, and we celebrate the contributions our employees make every single day.

We are very proud to be a recipient of the 2008 National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Spirit Award, recognized for our "best-in-class" approaches to recruiting and building a diverse and multi-generational workforce that results in superior service to clients and customers. Selected signature initiatives that contributed to this recognition include our innovative use of social media and technology to identify top candidates, our professional development programs, and our Spirit of Mentoring initiative that supports a company-wide mentoring culture, along with six vibrant Employee Network Groups that serve to engage and retain.

For more information on the Spirit Award, please click here.

Backpacks Are Packing More than Just Books
by Mindi Gale, Sodexo Senior Recruiter

Sodexo Manager June Dilorenzo displays items for the Backpack Food Program.

All school-age children need a good education and a full belly – seven days a week. The Sodexo Foundation and generous donations from Sodexo employees support Backpack Food Programs throughout the country.

The goal of the Backpack Food Program is to meet the needs of students who are at risk for hunger, providing them with nutritious and easy-to-prepare foods to take home on weekends and school vacations when other resources are minimal or not available. Read more »

Sodexo has introduced yet another way for you to get closer to your ideal job and fully understand your career potential with our company. Through our four new microsites, which are extensions of our main career page, you will find detailed answers to specific questions about careers at Sodexo in one of our many environments. Read more »

Fabulous Scholarship and Paris Internship Opportunities

Sodexo is an industry leader in providing educational and professional development opportunities to talented individuals. To learn more about these exceptional, time-sensitive opportunities, please click the links above.

Sodexo and Dress for Success Change the Life Hurricane Katrina Survivor, Monica Burns
By Michelle Thomas, Senior Manager, Diversity Recruitment

Monica Burns, Former Sodexo intern

Monica Burns, Former Sodexo intern

Typically, Sodexo’s Future Leaders Internship Program is geared towards undergraduate college students. However, this past summer in keeping with one of the company’s core values of spirit of service, the group made the decision to forge a new partnership with Dress for Success, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The result of this partnership was a 10 week internship which led to full time employment at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK for Monica Burns, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and evacuee. Read more »

Sodexo Connects with Employees of the Past to Help Meet Goals of the Future
by Jennifer Heth, Sodexo Senior Recruiter

Have you ever left an employer for what you thought would be a great career move with a new organization, only to find that the grass was not greener on the other side? In today’s fast-paced labor market, this type of scenario is a common one. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 67% of employees leaving a company would consider coming back. Read more »