A winter panel at Glendon highlighted Spanish as a professional asset and brought the Spanish-speaking community together.
Despite the cold winter weather, nearly 75 students, alumni, and community members gathered at Glendon on January 20 for El poder del español: How Spanish Got Me a Job. The event created space to reflect on how Spanish can shape professional paths in Canada while strengthening connections within the Spanish-speaking community.
Led by Glendon’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) and the Spanish and Latin American Cultures and Societies (SPLACS) program, in partnership with La Red de Hispanos, the event brought together students, professionals, and newcomers for an evening focused on language, work, and identity. The panel featured speakers from diverse sectors, each illustrating how Spanish has played a role in their careers. Angelica Ruiz, Marketing Head for North and Latin America at Adease Media Intelligence, spoke about leading campaigns across markets through cultural and linguistic insight. Marco Arizmendi shared perspectives from his career in risk, controls, and corporate governance across Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Camilla Scarcelli discussed communication and adaptability in financial services, while Roger Achach reflected on navigating the Canadian job market as a newcomer working in digital marketing.
Glendon alumna Rosamaria Conenna offered a perspective that resonated strongly with attendees. A graduate of the Concurrent Education program, she completed her degree in Spanish, French, and English despite starting her studies with no prior knowledge of Spanish. Now teaching Spanish and French at a GTA school board, she spoke about building confidence, recognizing transferable skills, and presenting multilingualism as a professional strength.
The evening also included an interactive workshop led by Niccoh Sioco from the Glendon Career Development Centre (CDC). Participants worked through Spanish-language career resources, identifying skills, exploring job trends, and outlining next steps. The activity emphasized career development without reducing personal identity to job titles.
Throughout the event, participants engaged actively in discussions and questions. Many left with a clearer understanding that Spanish is not only a cultural asset, but a marketable skill valued by employers. The gathering also reinforced a sense of belonging, reminding attendees that a supportive Spanish-speaking community exists in Toronto.
By partnering across campus, the PDC and SPLACS program transformed learning beyond the classroom and empowered students for what comes next. This holistic approach builds the skills, confidence, and meaningful connections students need to thrive in a dynamic labour market. Through professional engagement with La Red de Hispanos, students gain real-world experience, expand their networks, and discover that Glendon is more than a diploma. It is a launchpad for their future.
The event’s impact extended beyond campus, with coverage through CBC Radio Canada International’s La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas.
Building on this collaboration, Glendon and La Red de Hispanos will host their next event, Speak Dating, on March 3rd from 5 to 7 PM. For more information, contact iberdun@yorku.ca.
Resources:
- Glendon Career Development Centre: /glendon/supports-and-services/career-development-centre/
- Glendon’s Spanish and Latin American Cultures & Societies Program: /glendon/spanish-and-latin-american-cultures-and-societies/
- La Red de Hispanos: https://lareddehispanos.com
- RCI: La actualidad canadiense en siete lenguas: