Fifteen lucky JobTrain students, staff and alumni awoke this
morning with smiles plastered on their faces from yesterday’s unbelievable
Facebook experience. They received an exclusive tour of the social media giant’s
sprawling campus, which now employs more than 4,000 individuals.
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| JobTrain "tagged" the wall before flashing the Facebook "LIKE." |
Facebook’s Sustainability and Community Outreach Manager Lauren Swezey, and
Facilities Administrative Assistant Nikki Zeiter, provided an extraordinary
tour that included behind the scenes access to the daily operations occurring
at Facebook. JobTrain saw visiting engineers from Europe and Southeast Asia
convening at headquarters. However, the most recognizable and exciting
engineer seen was Mark Zuckerberg! He was calm, casual and completely
down-to-earth, walking the campus in his signature tee shirt and jeans.
Facebook’s renovation is close to completion according to
Lauren Swezey. Their atmosphere is inviting, and has a distinct “Disneyland
meets college vibe to it,” said JobTrain graduate Stephanie O’Dowd. The
ironic part is that the perception is based in truth. Representatives
from the "Happiest Place on Earth," came
up to Facebook to discuss the street concept, "which is reminiscent of Downtown
Disney,” relayed Swezey.
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Lauren Swezey stands alongside Sunny Sharma.
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Our hospitable Facebook community ambassadors, invited
JobTrain to enjoy the same amenities provided to their employees. A trip to
their micro kitchen, a stroll down to their cafeteria and a delectable
indulgence at their “Sweet Stop,” which featured the most amazingly delicious
frozen yogurt, soft serve ice cream and decadent assortment of chocolate
treats.
Further, JobTrain took pride in seeing two recent graduates
in action working at Facebook. Sunreet “Sunny” Sharma, recently received
his certification in Culinary Arts, and is now contracted through Flagship and
helps prepare some of the approximate 8,000 meals which Facebook provides to
their employees daily. Christopher Smith, graduated from Office Skills, also
contracted through Flagship, works as a Facebook security officer.
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| JobTrain PROUDLY dons the signature Facebook attire! |
Unequivocally, Facebook, goes beyond connecting people and
transcends towards transforming lives. This is especially evident in the case
of contracting work to JobTrain graduates and sponsorship of JobTrain’s special
events, which facilitate providing critical vocational training programs at no
cost to the community’s most in need.
JobTrain was the first non-profit in Menlo Park that Facebook provided
financial support to. Since 2011, the company has remained an extraordinary and
dynamic partner. JobTrain is incredibly proud and grateful of our relationship with
Facebook.
