Welcoming Refugees into the Workplace
Your New Journey Begins Here, Today
Who Am I?
Hi! My name is Sydnee Vinnett. I am a junior at the University of Houston majoring in Human Resource Development. I was born in New Orleans, LA, and moved to Houston, TX when I was five years old. Culture and diversity have been an important factor in my life being from New Orleans.
Being a student at the University of Houston, I am surrounded by individuals from all aspects of life, whether its ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, sexuality, etc, it is represented at UH. Being an HRD major, we focus on DEI in the workplace. DEI is short for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The benefit of DEI is that it creates a safe, productive environment, improves performance, and reduces stress. I have experience being in non-diverse environments where it made me uncomfortable, stressed, and wanted to leave. No one should have to experience that.
Why Am I Advocating for Refeugess?
It is important to advocate for refugees because they are human beings. Refugees are people who were forced to leave their country and enter a different country due to a natural disaster, war, or persecution. Instead of staying and struggling in their own country, settling in a new country gives them a second chance at life. Refugees become our friends, neighbors, school teachers, doctors, etc. I believe it is our job to assist them in any way possible as they resettle in a new country. Helping refugees gives them more opportunities to resettle, get employment, and raise their families. Companies will benefit from advocating for refugees because it adds diversity. It shows that companies care more about their culture and employees than how it operates.
