At Gilbane, we understand that diversity drives innovation and excellence. Our HOLA Employee Resource Group (ERG) and HR recruiting team recently joined forces to identify and recruit top talent at the 2024 National Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Convention. SHPE, founded in 1974, is dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. The annual convention is a premier event that attracts top STEM talent, bringing together thousands of Hispanic scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. It serves as a celebration of Familia,’ a showcase of skills, and a hub for networking and professional growth. Our team conducted 40 on-site interviews this year and extended 15 on-the-spot job offers. These efforts are part of our dedication to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
In addition to the SHPE convention, Gilbane actively participates in several other recruiting fairs to ensure a broad and inclusive talent pool, including the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Convention, Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference, Out for Undergrad (O4U) Engineering Conference, and various veteran job fairs. The impact of these efforts on Gilbane’s workforce has been significant. We have enhanced our recruitment efforts by connecting with top talent and bringing in highly skilled professionals who contribute to our innovative projects. The collaboration between our ERGs and HR team has strengthened our inclusive hiring practices, fostering a sense of community and belonging among our people. Additionally, these conventions’ professional development and networking opportunities help our employees stay updated with industry trends and build valuable relationships.
Connecting Through SHPE | Gaby González Starchek
Hear from Gaby Gonzalez Starchek, a Project Engineer in Boca Raton, FL, who joined Gilbane in 2021 after attending the SHPE Convention.
Q: What motivated you to attend the SHPE convention?
I attended the SHPE Convention several times as a student before being recruited by the on-site team in 2021. This year was particularly noteworthy, attending as a Gilbane employee with the chance to help others kickstart their professional careers. The Gilbane team was very warm and welcoming, and I really enjoyed learning from other experienced professionals in the industry.
Q: What excited you most about joining Gilbane?
I wanted to join a company whose core values aligned with mine. Caring, teamwork, discipline, and integrity are the foundation of this family culture, and I’m proud to experience it every day on my job site.
Q: What has been your favorite memory or highlight from the past year?
After several months of communication with other HOLA Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) members through email and virtual meetings, I finally had the opportunity to meet many of them in person at SHPE this year. We had a great time at the convention and had a lot of fun together exploring Anaheim, CA.
Looking Ahead
By partnering with organizations like SHPE, we are enhancing our talent pool and supporting the professional growth of Hispanic engineers and scientists. We are proud to be part of this vibrant community and look forward to continuing our efforts to build a more inclusive future.
