By Shaun Carpenter 

The inaugural World Café event started with a ring of a bell which signified the beginning of 25 concurrent meetings, at separate tables, between one HR professional and five students. 

Like a speed dating phenomenon, the bell was rung again at 15-minute intervals, at which time the more than 100 students shuffled around and headed for the next table on their evening agenda.  Each student, hailing from a number of the leading post secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland, had his/her own individual plan of whom they wished to meet with from the impressive list of HR practitioners which included experts in everything from HR Planning to Organizational Development, Professional Coaching to Executive Recruitment, and everything in between.

For students it was a smorgasbord of glimpses into the workplace — real people doing real jobs and all of them in one room prepared to answer all the questions that could be squeezed into 15-minute dialogs.  For table hosts it was a chance to meet some of the bright young minds who are chomping at the bit to get their careers kicked off.  

Participants learned about a typical “day in the life” for different HR specialties. They got some brief details on interesting projects that are underway at various companies, heard how HR leaders “got their start”, as well as what the practitioners like best about their jobs.  Not only did the students dress to impress but they also came prepared with intuitive questions and a strong dose of curiosity.  Refreshments and finger foods were served during the evening and the event concluded with presentations of gold medals, in the spirit of the Olympics, to the Capilano University students for the work they’d done at class and in their free time to help organize the evening.

“I found the World Café very valuable.  It really clarified certain aspects of the HR industry for me and also allowed for direct interaction with those working in the field,” said student Leanne Gavaghan. “I thought it was much more valuable than a traditional lecture setting. It was probably the least intimidating way to introduce students to a real networking scenario.”

That networking scenario resulted in solid connections for some students. A table host, Kristina Svab, senior manager, total rewards with Coast Capital Savings mentioned that she’d offered to connect in person with a student who impressed her, and was willing to share some real-life compensation and total rewards programs in a follow-up meeting back at her office.

The catalyst for the event was a connection between the dynamic and exuberant Kathryn Taft, coordinator, Strategic HRM Advanced Diploma at Capilano University and a couple of astute staff members and volunteers at BC HRMA including Elizabeth Bonner, Debra Finlayson, Ian Cook, and Milla Zaenker to name a few.

Taft had seen the World Café format used at Organizational Development conferences in San Francisco and Baltimore and was putting it into practice with her Advanced HR class.  Ian Cook, director, Research & Learning at BC HRMA, was in attendance at one of these sessions and saw the opportunity to collaborate as it represented an excellent method to enhance engagement levels with the student membership base of BC HRMA, besides the intrinsic value it provided for the students.

Based on the success of World Café on March 10^th, we’re sure to see more of these exciting connections between current HR professionals and the future leaders in our profession.  Come on out and be a part next time you hear ‘World Café’.

Shaun Carpenter is Associate Partner with Pinton Forrest & Madden Executive Search. He has worked in the executive search business for 12 years and is well respected in the industry for his aptitude in candidate development and client relations. His thorough, insightful approach gives clients confidence that their needs are being met in a professional, timely manner. Shaun also has past experience as Manager, Human Resources with a leading Canadian health insurance provider where he was responsible for recruitment, retention, coaching, performance management, and employee/labour relations. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary, which included studies abroad at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Shaun is also currently an active member of BC HRMA’s Coastal Vancouver Advisory Council.