Are you a young Haitian professional, fresh out of college, and not knowing north from south on your career compass? Or are you a seasoned professional worker, looking for other opportunities to further your career? Newly come from Haiti with a professional degree, and not yet equipped with a network in the U.S?
Perhaps you are still in high school, not knowing left from right in the post-secondary maze? The National Association of Haitian Professionals, Inc can help you in those situations in more. Serge Renaud, the organization’s co-founder and Chairman, a graduate of Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, explained its programs and offerings.
Q & A
When did it first occur to you that it might be a good idea to start an association for Haitian professionals?
In 2008, a group of friends and I were college graduates having a discussion on how Haitian professionals could attain executive leadership roles in corporate America. We also pondered on whether Haitian students were prepared for the workforce after completing their college degree. Many students are not exposed to mock interviews, nor do they know how to dress for success let alone organize their resumes. It was then we realized the great need within our community, how unprepared we were to meet the challenges of a corporate environment and to ultimately become successful professionals. We knew of no organizations who would mentor or link us to different networks that would help young Haitians transition from college to the workforce.  We decided to launch NAHP to empower and educate our community on how they can compete in a global workforce.  Â
What are some of the programs that the association offers to help foster the growth of these professionals?
Currently, the NAHP has established a scholarship program to help Haitian students finance their college education. We recognize many of them face financial difficulties and we want to ensure that we support these students in their academic endeavors so that they can graduate with their degrees. We also plan to host workshops on professional development, conferences, and career fairs to match employers with potential employees.Â
 There’s been a trend of professionals returning to Haiti to work there. Will this trend continue in your view?
We do believe this trend will continue. In fact, we recently hosted a conference in collaboration with the Joseph Denis Thomas Foundation and the New Jersey Haitian Student Association Alumni at the Newark Museum in New Jersey [last July]. Over 200 participants were in attendance to learn how they could invest their talents and resources into the development of Haiti. We have and will continue to encourage professionals to go back and work in Haiti. It is our obligation to uplift the nation, from which many of us gained our basic foundation and education, which led to our ultimate success.
Â
In terms of kids who are still in high school—do you have any programs to guide them towards a fulfilling professional future?
As I previously mentioned, the NAHP does have a scholarship program which we hope will continue to grow with the support of our members and the community at large. It is time that we invest in the future leaders of the United States and Haiti. With volunteers, we hope to establish a mentorship program to offer students an opportunity to explore various industries and enable them to find the perfect fit before they graduate from college.
Dr. Francois Pierre-Louis at an NAHP event in New Jersey.
Â
How would you pitch the association to someone who hasn’t joined but is thinking about joining?
The NAHP offers a variety of opportunities to students and professionals of Haitian descent, primarily mentorship and networking. We recognize the need in our community to nurture our youngest minds while developing our professional skills. Now more than ever, especially in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, NAHP intends to collaborate with its members and other like-minded organizations to revitalize our community both here and abroad. We need to be proactive and get involved in the decisions that will have an impact on ourselves and the lives of our family. The relationships forged through these interactions will close the gap that has divided us as a people for far too long.
