Since joining us in 2021, Courtney has held multiple roles, including working directly with our refugee and immigrant clients and now, recruiting new staff members as part of our HR team. Courtney shared what first drew her to our organization, what her day to day looks like, and the advice she would share with prospective IINE employees.
What brought you to the International Institute of New England?
During my Masters, I learned about the United Nations and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. My dissertation focused on the changes in cultural, indigenous, and ethnic identities of Latin Americans whose asylum applications were rejected or who were deported at the U.S.-Mexican border. After learning more about asylum seekers and law, I decided I wanted to work with refugees and asylees and gain first-hand experience in supporting new arrivals.
What has been your career path since joining the organization?
When I first joined the organization in August 2021, I was the Preferred Communities Case Specialist at the Manchester site. I worked directly with clients who had vulnerabilities that prevented them from easy resettlement, including HIV+ status, Class B health conditions, domestic violence, mental health diagnoses, and homelessness. In February 2022, I was promoted to the role of Community Services Manager at the Manchester site. In this role, I supervised the delivery of client services to support clients accomplish self-sufficiency and managed all community services programs at the Manchester site. Recently, I transitioned to the HR team as Talent Acquisition Specialist. I have been in this role since March 2023, where I have been able to support the recruitment and hiring of all full-time, part-time, and on-call staff, as well as supporting the IINE internship program.
What does your day to day look like?
Working for the HR team, my work expands across all sites. On a typical day, I can expect to meet with hiring managers about job postings, support with posting jobs to open job boards, screen candidates for paid or internship positions, schedule interviews on behalf of hiring managers, and support with offer letters and onboarding processes.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy being able to support the organization as a whole in bringing on new team members and interns, expanding our reach to clients and our mission!
How would you describe IINE’s culture and values?
IINE is a diverse work environment where colleagues work together to support its clients in being successful. IINE values its mission to support the resettlement and journey to self-sufficiency for its clients and ensures support along each step of the pathways to self-sufficiency and citizenship. Overall, IINE has a collaborative environment where community is built within staff and with our clients.
What advice would you share with someone who is interested in joining IINE?
Remain willing to learn and open to new experiences! Being open to learning will support your professional development skills and allow you room to grow within IINE. For those who want to work with clients, remember that clients can be our best teachers of cultural and religious practices, language skills, and community.
Bonus: Share something you are passionate about.
A passion of mine is learning about archeology and paleontology; my goal is to one day attend an archaeology field school or go on a trip to participate in an archeological or paleontology dig!
Interested in joining our team? Our collaborative, team-oriented environment offers opportunities to serve refugees and immigrants, while learning from other staff and departments. View career opportunities here.
