On Nov. 4, the Sabine Hall at Richland Campus became the hub of global opportunities as the career fair took stage to connect students with businesses, internships and international prospects.
This career fair was strategically timed with National French Week in the United States, giving organizers the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the French language. The event showcased various Dallas College organizations, including the Language Center, Dallas College Study Abroad and In-County Learning, Alliance Française de Dallas, Council Internships and Campus France.
The primary goal of the career fair was to give students the opportunity to connect with businesses for potential jobs and internships and to foster a relationship between students and the workforce. This event also aimed to highlight the importance of the French language and its long-term benefits.
Why focus on French? Faculty member and event organizer Hasmik Gharahazaryan said, “We want to show students how important it is to speak French to land a job in today’s job market. French is a widely spoken language across five continents, with 280,000 speakers, and it’s expected to reach 700 million speakers by 2050.”
Another organizer, Professor Edit Dibra, added that many international students at Dallas College, particularly from Africa, already speak French. “We just want to connect those students with businesses that value that knowledge.”
She also encouraged the Richland community to consider learning French, highlighting resources such as the Office of International Engagement, Career Transfer Services and the Handshake system, which connects students with French-speaking businesses.
A stand from the Office of International Engagement and Global Competitiveness also attracted much attention. Vice Provost Diana Urrutia discussed the advantages of learning a second language, especially French, during college.
“Learning a second language is essential to developing opportunities that will be offered here in the DFW area and abroad. Companies here are seeking French speakers, which should be an indication of how important it is to learn a second language,” Urrutia said.
She emphasized that Dallas College offers nine different languages, with opportunities for both first- and second-year study.
For example, students who study French can participate in community college boot camps in France, where they practice their language skills while gaining professional experience.
