Leadership conference offers networking education

Approximately 150 students from IU and other universities throughout Indiana, Illinois and Michigan will participate in career networking and discuss current issues affecting Latinos Saturday at the third annual Indiana Latino Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.\nLa Casa Director Lillian Casillas said in addition to college students, some high school students and community members are expected to attend.\n"The main objectives are to talk about current issues facing Latinos and to give students an opportunity to network," she said. "College students who are seeking jobs and internships will be able to meet professionals who can help them after graduation, and the high school participants will get a chance to interact with college students. Community members will be able to recruit people for jobs and internships." \nThe conference will begin with a continental breakfast and registration in La Casa at 8 a.m. \nAlong with various events, a panel discussion titled "Life After College" will be held in Woodburn Hall 101 at 1:30 p.m. "Life After College" will feature representatives from a variety of organizations who will speak about issues facing Latinos who are entering the job market.\nYolanda Trevino, assistant dean of the Research and University Graduate School, will lead a panel discussion comprised of Latino graduate students from different areas of study entitled "Career Paths and Graduate Studies" in Woodburn 119 at 11:30 a.m.\n"I'd like students who hear the panel to consider graduate studies as a viable option and to have them see themselves clearly and consider their futures," she said. "The national census is saying that the Latino community is growing, and Indiana is becoming more diverse, so it is important as Midwestern Latinos to address issues affecting the Latino community." \n After the final workshop of the day, Mary Jane Gonzalez, president of the Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will deliver a closing address.\nA dance will follow the conference at 8 p.m. in the Leo R. Dowling International Center, 111 S. Jordan Ave.\nSenior Vanessa Montalvo, a La Casa staff member, will lead a workshop entitled "Latino Trivia: How Much Do You Know?" at 2:45 p.m. in Woodburn 104.\n"It's important to allow students to meet new people that they can depend on after graduation and to talk openly about what Latinos are experiencing in the workforce," Montalvo said.