BRDG’s “Be the Shark” job fair was held from 1 – 6 p.m. at Saddleback College on Friday, April 8, drawing students attending in-person from nine universities and five community colleges based in Southern California and others who participated remotely from around the country. All had the opportunity to engage with a representative from a top technology company in an informal, fun setting.

In addition to the job fair, an event modeled after the popular TV show, “Shark Tank,” was held with a student panel assuming the role of “sharks” as representatives took turns “pitching” their companies as employers of choice.

“Demographics in the U.S. are changing at an increasingly rapid pace,” said Dr. Timothy Wei, a BRDG Bridge-to-Connect trustee. “In just two to three years, the nation’s graduating high school class will no longer be majority white. Our future depends on ensuring that all of our citizens succeed in an increasingly technological society. What, how, and for whom we design things must be reflected in the engineering workforce. It is imperative that we be innovative in figuring out ways to get underrepresented minorities into leadership roles in the companies that are creating the future.”

“It was an amazing experience,” said Tamnhi Vu, a high school student with 49 college credits who will attend Berkeley in the fall. “I hope to spread the word about BRDG so other students can be presented with the same opportunity as me,” Vu added. “I am extremely grateful for the exposure and confidence it has given me - thank you!”

“All job fairs should be run like this,” said Ken Kuwamura from Union Pacific, noting how impressed he was with the students he met and the innovative, role-reversal format.

“We think this event will grow its potential for matching technology-driven companies with well-qualified, eager, and hard-working students,” said Caecilia Gotama, founder of BRDG nonprofit and fellow trustee. “Ultimately, we see the talent of our students as a national asset for our country in helping to drive innovation and secure a technology advantage that delivers a wide range of societal benefit.”

“We wish to thank Saddleback College for hosting and all our corporate participants and sponsors who made our inaugural “Be the Shark” job fair an amazing success,” Gotama added, explaining that the “Be the Shark” event received corporate support and participation from Union Pacific, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, Nantero, and Amazon Web Services. BRDG intends to host its “Be the Shark” job fair twice a year, with the next one scheduled to be held in October 2022.

BRDG is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit organization that seeks to “create a bridge to success by enhancing first-in-family college student’s opportunities in the technology field.” Learn more at www.bridge-to-connect.org.