Open Avenues Foundation

Today, we’re shining a light on Len Magara. Len Magara is a Biomedical Engineering Build Fellow at Open Avenues, where he leads students on projects in Urological Medical Devices. Len is a senior R&D Engineer at Laborie Medical Technologies, designing, developing, and launching new medical devices in the urodynamics and diagnostics space. He recently led two students to create a conceptual plan for a user-friendly Mechanical Uroflow Device that enhances patient comfort. The project was structured to replicate a real-world scenario, providing the students industry experience. In his personal life, Len likes to spend his weekends at the movies. He also enjoys Rugby, and despite being a Zimbabwean, his favorite team is the New Zealand All Blacks. Stay tuned for additional spotlights as we introduce you to more of our incredible Fellows. #H1BVisa #USImmigration #GlobalTalent #Innovation #OpenAvenuesFoundation #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #ImmigrationPolicy #TechTalent #Entrepreneurship #Startups

Nicholas Sykes is an experienced technology business leader and social impact professional. Most recently, he was Chief People and Impact Officer at Fearless Technologies, where he works at the intersection of technology, finance, and sustainability. He dropped some knowledge in our latest Coffee Chat on today’s hiring market, including how students can best prepare themselves in their job search. Here are some key takeaways from the conversation: ?- The number one skill employers look for in candidates is being an expert in multiple domains.?? - It’s important to have intellectual humility and not be afraid to ask questions and admit mistakes. -When looking for a job, students shouldn’t just apply and hope the system chooses them. They need to be proactive, reach out to people individually, and try to meet them offline. Stay tuned for more Coffee Chats! https://lnkd.in/envpyg3q #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

The Open Avenues team was honored to participate in this year’s Equity in Action event at Suffolk University, dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps and fostering equity in the workplace. The roundtable speed networking format provided a dynamic platform for students to engage directly with organizations committed to increasing diverse representation and advancing equitable outcomes for historically underrepresented communities. As speakers, we shared insights into our mission, the resources we provide, and the tangible ways we strive to create inclusive opportunities for all. Engaging in meaningful dialogue with both undergraduate and graduate students, we were inspired by their curiosity and passion for driving change. It was a privilege to discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion, and access in shaping equitable pathways to success. At Open Avenues, we believe in building a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, and this event reinforced our commitment to supporting underrepresented communities. We are grateful to have been part of such a thoughtful initiative and look forward to continuing this vital work alongside incredible partners and bright, aspiring changemakers. #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

Today's spotlight is on one of our inspiring fellows, Margarita Vizcaino. Margarita currently works as a Project Engineer at Eagle Construction and Restoration, LLC., where she estimates materials costs, reviews project documentation and technical specifications, and more. With over a decade of experience in Civil Engineering, Margarita leads students through projects in her field of expertise. Born and raised in Guatemala, Margarita was raised in an educator's family and, when she was young, would travel around the nation supporting public schools. She commented on that time, saying, "Those years were special to me, and I knew I needed to be grateful for the opportunities I would have the rest of my life. I have taken advantage of every chance of learning something and I hope that every student can appreciate the blessings of education. I have been a dedicated student all my life with an interest in different topics." We know she brings that dedication and passion for learning to her Build Projects, and we are so proud that she has chosen to share her knowledge through the Open Avenues Foundation. You can learn about our entire cohort of global talent fellows here: https://lnkd.in/eA4A-qS5 #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #ImmigrationPolicy? #TechTalent? #Entrepreneurship? #Startups

We couldn't be more proud to work with our incredible partners at Grand Valley State University. Receiving the award for Outstanding Employer represents years of hardwork and dedication to bring our programming to students from all over the country. This award represents deep collaborations, shared vision, and a creative approach to problem-solving. We are so happy Ian Davis was able to accept it today in his home state. #proud #grandvalleystate #STEM #students #education #immigration

Thrilled that we were given Grand Valley State University's Outstanding Employer Award. We are committed to opening career pathways for students with our project-based learning -- all driven by foreign talent from high growth U.S companies. We know, because we have trained more than 1000 students, that when we open pathways for top foreign talent in this country, we all move forward. Huge kudos to Elena Semeyko Danila Blanco Travnicek and Rua Hamid who lead our education programs and create opportunities for students to advance their careers and their lives. #careerpathways

We're so excited that our Fellow Adi Soloducho will be leading a session at the Third Annual International Career Summit! The Summit will bring together over 40 distinguished industry experts, career services professionals, recruiters, and alumni from around the world to share valuable insights with international students. During the week of the Summit, participants will have the opportunity to engage in 19 unique sessions tailored to empower and inform them as they navigate their global career and life design journeys. You can also catch Danila Blanco Travnicek, our Director of Program Strategy and Evaluation at the conference!

Check out our Mechanical Engineering Build Fellow Pranav Meshram, PMP's recent Slack update about his Build Project! Originally from India, Pranav pursued a master's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, after completing a bachelor's degree in the same field. His passion for mechanical engineering began in high school when he developed an interest in motorcycle repairs. Since graduating in 2020, Pranav has worked in the automotive industry as a Program Engineer. Throughout his career, he has excelled in developing tooling and assembly fixtures that enhance automotive parts' thermal and acoustic performance. His favorite aspect of the job is collaborating with his team to brainstorm innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges. When asked about their experience, a student at CCSF said, ““I would say that one of the most useful aspects of this Build Project was to have a professional as a leader, that made me feel like one of them. Pranav was a great leader, I felt the most value in the feedback that I got from him.? This project helps me to understand engineering more in depth so I definitely recommend this to all students, especially to those that aren't sure what to study… Since this is not a school project, but a real-life project it can give you a little taste of what that specific career will be like.” Pranav is an excellent leader and mentor, and we are thrilled to have him on our team! #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio

Today's spotlight is on one of our inspiring fellows, Margarita Vizcaino. Margarita currently works as a Project Engineer at Eagle Construction and Restoration, LLC., where she estimates materials costs, reviews project documentation and technical specifications, and more. With over a decade of experience in Civil Engineering, Margarita leads students through projects in her field of expertise. Born and raised in Guatemala, Margarita was raised in an educator's family and, when she was young, would travel around the nation supporting public schools. She commented on that time, saying, "Those years were special to me, and I knew I needed to be grateful for the opportunities I would have the rest of my life. I have taken advantage of every chance of learning something and I hope that every student can appreciate the blessings of education. I have been a dedicated student all my life with an interest in different topics." We know she brings that dedication and passion for learning to her Build Projects, and we are so proud that she has chosen to share her knowledge through the Open Avenues Foundation. You can learn about our entire cohort of global talent fellows here: https://lnkd.in/eA4A-qS5 #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #ImmigrationPolicy? #TechTalent? #Entrepreneurship? #Startups

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Suffolk University, a distinguished institution known for its dedication to academic rigor, experiential learning, and fostering global citizenship. Suffolk University is committed to preparing students for a rapidly changing world through its innovative blend of liberal arts and professional programs. With a strong emphasis on hands-on experience , Suffolk ensures that students are ready to navigate the complexities of today's interconnected world. One of Suffolk University’s core strengths is its focus on global perspectives. Situated in the heart of Boston, the university offers its students access to a diverse, international community, reinforcing the value of cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. This partnership aligns seamlessly with Open Avenues Foundation's mission to create opportunities for all, especially by empowering foreign nationals in the United States. Our collaboration with Suffolk University will further enhance the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, providing students with invaluable global experiences that will enrich their personal and professional journeys. Want to learn how we can enhance your university’s curriculum? Visit our website for more information! https://lnkd.in/e7CkhtE2 #H1BVisa? #USImmigration? #GlobalTalent? #Innovation? #OpenAvenuesFoundation? #STEM #professionaldevelopment #networking #education #portfolio