---
title: Congratulations, Stephen Sweeney, Employee of the Quarter!
description: Stephen instantly thought of the refugee organization that he and his family have long supported, the Karen Organization of Minnesota.
image: https://blog.skywatersearch.com/hubfs/Employee%20of%20Quarter%20-%20Stephen.png
---

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# SkyWater Blog

# Congratulations, Stephen Sweeney, Employee of the Quarter!

Posted by [Adam Hoffarber](https://blog.skywatersearch.com/author/adam-hoffarber) on 6/27/23 1:40 PM

![Adam Hoffarber](https://blog.skywatersearch.com/hubfs/adam-hoffarber550.jpg)

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![Employee of Quarter - Stephen](https://blog.skywatersearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Employee%20of%20Quarter%20-%20Stephen.png?width=1024&height=512&name=Employee%20of%20Quarter%20-%20Stephen.png)

At SkyWater Search Partners, we believe that vibrant communities are built through strong community partnerships. One way we live by that value is through our Employee of the Quarter Award. Each quarter, we honor a top-performing team member with the gift of a substantial financial donation, in their name, to a nonprofit organization that is important to them.

*CONGRATULATIONS,* *STEPHEN SWEENEY, ASSOCIATE RECRUITER, SALES*

*SKYWATER SEARCH PARTNERS’ EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER!*

When Stephen learned that he had been selected for this award, he instantly thought of the refugee organization that he and his family have long supported, the [Karen Organization of Minnesota](https://mnkaren.org/).  The Karen Organization provides employment services, social services, community health training and education, and youth development programming for more than 22,000 refugees from Burma, including 20,000 Karen people and 2,000+ members of other ethnic groups, including Karenni and Mon.

Stephen first learned about the Karen Organization from his wife. “She has been really involved because of St. Paul Public Schools, where she teachers. Many of her students are Karenni,” explains Stephen. The more she got to know her students, the more she and Stephen wanted to better understand their culture, as well as their experiences as refugees in Minnesota.

Stephen, who also has a teaching background, is excited to educate others about the Karen Organization, whose mission is to “build on the strengths of refugee and immigrant communities and remove barriers to achieving economic, social, and cultural wellbeing.”

To him, this award represents one of the things he loves about his role at SkyWater Search Partners. “Teaching is a very passion-driven profession,” Stephen says. “I came straight to SkyWater from teaching, and when I decided I wanted to change careers, the one thing I knew I didn’t want to change was working at something I was passionate about.”  As he began considering his next steps, he thought a lot about the profound life changes that come with a career transition. “I realized how important it must be to have the support of a great recruiter – and how rewarding it must be for that recruiter, as the person who is present at that pivotal moment in people’s lives,” says Stephen. When he began looking at recruiting firms, he says his choice became obvious. “What struck me right away about SkyWater was the people. These are really good people. As soon as I started meeting them, I started to see that this was a really special place to work. They’re actively recruiting team members who really care about their communities.”

On behalf of everyone at SkyWater Search Partners, thank you for being part of this team and for educating us about the Minnesota Karen Organization. We’re proud to join you in supporting them.

 

---

 

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---

 

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