Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

Interviewing Skills
Wednesday, December 1, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Monday, November 29, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

All events take place at the Toppel Career Center unless otherwise specified.

Any questions regarding any of these events, check the Toppel Career Center website or call 305-284-5451

Tackling the Career Fair

Written by Marlo Wyant

Every year thousands of students attend career fairs at universities and national conferences in pursuit of their careers. Although, these days, the economy has made it more difficult for prospective employees to secure positions, the presence of career fairs across the nation demonstrates the existing needs of companies to recruit new talent.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) recently held their 60th anniversary national conference in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. The highlight of this conference was, by far, the career fair. The fair had more than 5000 attendees and showcased over 220 employers currently seeking engineering, technical, and business-minded candidates. Companies included engineering giants such as GE and Caterpillar, financial institutions such as Deloitte and Goldman Sachs, non-profit organizations, and graduate schools. The fair provided networking opportunities galore for those daring enough to put themselves out there. There were seven University of Miami attendees who cumulatively secured nine on-site interviews and left valuable impressions on dozens of employers.
Some of the attendees of the career fair were in attendance for the first time. By asking questions and practicing, they were able to make the best of the fair:

What is the benefit of the career fair?

The primary purpose of the career fair is for a job-seeker to network and explore the types of opportunities available to him or her. One can perform web-searching and fill out online applications for weeks and never hear back. The career fair allows job seekers to speak directly with employers about their needs in the workforce. In turn, a career fair attendee can potentially secure on-site interviews, job offers, and general insights into the demands of the industry.

Don’t most employers tell me to make an online profile and send me on my way?

Employers will tell you to create an online profile in order to maintain equal opportunity-compliancy. However, putting a face to the online profile can make the difference. If the recruiter sincerely took an interest in you and would like to consider you for a position, it is possible for them to later look up your profile and personally recommend it to hiring managers. You will have the leg up on the mysterious face-less resumes they receive on a daily basis.

What am I supposed to do at a career fair?

1. Practice your pitch. When you go up to a company booth, you need to properly introduce yourself to a prospective employer so that you can concisely tell them about yourself and why you want to be considered at their company. Making a good first impression is what will set the tone of your conversation. Try starting out with something like this:
   
   “Hello, my name is _________ and I am an experienced ________major in my ________ year of study at the University of Miami. I have related work/project experience at ________ company/university and I am looking for a/an (internship/fulltime position) at _______ Company. Do you have a few minutes to discuss opportunities with me?”
   
   Don’t forget to shake the recruiters hand and ALWAYS ask for a business card if you felt the conversation went well. (If the recruiter does not have business cards to give you, it’s fine, but it can never hurt to ask).
2. Chart your path. For larger career fairs (100+ relevant companies), plan your intended path before going inside. Large career fairs can be distracting and disorienting, so planning is important to ensure that you talk to all of the employers that interest you. However, you can still leave time to speak with employers you have not considered before.
3. Do your homework. Although, employers attend career fairs in order to increase exposure to candidates, they prefer that one knows at least a little about what they do. Make sure to at least read the program book description about the company so that you don’t go up to ANYONE and ask “So, what does your company do?” Recruiters don’t expect you to be an expert on their company, but they want to see that you have some interest in their company.
4. DON’T ask for the onsite interview. Even though many employers host career fair interviews, they will decide when to offer the slots. If you work hard to make a favorable impression and closely match your experience to their desired qualifications, there is a good chance that you will be offered the slot. Be aware that these slots do fill quickly, and if you can’t quite make the slot at the fair, there are still opportunities with offsite and phone interviews with the company. If you make that good first impression, create the online profile the recruiters tell you to, and you may just be contacted later.
5. Keep an open mind. Read the career fair program book, listen to what recruiters have to say, and you might just consider working for a company or in a field that you had not considered before.

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

Interviewing Skills
Monday, November 22, 5:00 p.m. (Edward Cruz)
Wednesday, December 1, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Monday, November 29, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

All events take place at the Toppel Career Center unless otherwise specified.

Any questions regarding any of these events, check the Toppel Career Center website or call 305-284-5451

Success Beyond UM

Written by Claire Arritola and Priyanka Surio

Working at the Toppel Career Center comes with many perks; it is considered one of the best jobs to have on campus. Being a peer advisor prepares us for the professional world in all aspects. This has been proven through the success of a former Peer Advisor, Steve Glasser ’10. Steve graduated last May with a major in Marketing and a minor in Sport Administration and went on to work for his dream job, ESPN! Always enthusiastic about the sports arena, it was only his destiny to end up as a Production Researcher for ESPN Stats and Information. He went from sharing football stats and information in the office to writing sports articles for ESPN New York. He made it to the end zone after much persistence, using the strategies he learned at our career center to score that touchdown. He is starting off his career to a great start and we only see greater things in his future; soon he will be hosting the halftime show for national football games, sharing his valuable and insightful input. We can’t wait to see what our future holds!

They're Not The Same Old Jets (So Far) - Written by Steve Glasser

Global Entrepreneurship Week Update

More information concerning Global Entrepreneurship Week we recently received.

I saw that you recently wrote about Global Entrepreneurship Week and hope you’re interested in a few updates, now that GEW is underway in 100 nations. Just a few GEW activities have the ability to unite entrepreneurs from around the world with shared experiences and healthy competition – one such activity is Global Innovation Game, the official online game of GEW.

GiG engages budding and serial entrepreneurs in solving real-world challenges through the lens of a social game and provides an online space in which they can connect and network beyond GEW. And now, a few top players have the chance to turn their innovative ideas into reality.

This week only – during GEW – game players will have the chance to win one of three prize packages consisting of expert advice to develop a business plan and market their startup to investors, assistance in identifying potential investors, and up to $750 for business tools to help get them there, such as a computer, printer or software. The packages will be awarded to the players who post the highest valued solutions in the game categories of energy, health and transport by 9pm on November 21, 2010, the end of GEW.

I hope you are able to share this news with your readers – I think that this game and these rewards are quite relevant to them. Full details and rules can be found at http://mercatorxxi.com/trends. The game can be played here: www.facebook.com/globalinnovationgame.

I've also enclosed a link to a recent news release detailing the official launch of GiG: http://pitch.pe/101576.

Ask the Law School Expert

Written by Pallavi Pal

Last Monday, November 8, 2010, Toppel Career Center hosted an Ask the Law School Expert session with one of the top Law School Admissions Consultants, Ann Levine. She is a University of Miami alumna and returned to give a speech and advice to students who are either considering attending law school or have applied to law school. Ms. Levine is the author of The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert and former director of admissions to two ABA law schools. More than 100,000 applicants have relied upon her advice to get into the law school of their dreams by reading her blog at here.

As a UM alumna, she has passion for the University and returned to speak to her Alma Mater regarding getting into law school. She addressed questions relating to creating an application, what type of information would be pertinent to include, specific questions on applications and advice on attaining scholarships. She explained the importance and how much value law school admissions place on LSAT and GPA scores as well as things one can do to counter a detrimental score. Her insightful and exciting manner of relating to students is stellar. The bonus of attending the session is getting a free copy of her book The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert as an audio recording. Now her advice is portable and can be heard at leisure.

To get more advice for law school or if you are unsure about whether you want to apply, set up an appointment at the Toppel Career Center with Alicia Rodriguez by calling 305-284-5451.

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

Interviewing Skills
Monday, November 22, 5:00 p.m. (Edward Cruz)
Wednesday, December 1, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Monday, November 29, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

All events take place at the Toppel Career Center unless otherwise specified.

Any questions regarding any of these events, check the Toppel Career Center website or call 305-284-5451

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

Career Programs
Ask the Law School Expert
Featured Speaker: UM Alumna Ann Levine
Storer Auditorium
Monday, November 8, 6:00 p.m.

Careers Involving Social Media
Tuesday, November 9, 6:30 p.m.

Toppel Program Schedule
Internships 101 - Frits Bigham
Thursday, November 11, 2:00 p.m.

Alternative Options After Graduation - Frits Bigham
Tuesday, November 9. 4:00 p.m.

How to Find and Apply for Government Jobs - Veronica Soto
Tuesday, November 9, 12:30 p.m.

Interviewing Skills
Wednesday, November 10, 4:00 p.m. (Megan Garber)
Monday, November 22, 5:00 p.m. (Edward Cruz)
Wednesday, December 1, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Friday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)
Monday, November 29, 4:00 p.m. (Samantha Gil)

All events take place at the Toppel Career Center unless otherwise specified.

Any questions regarding any of these events, check the Toppel Career Center website or call 305-284-5451

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Written by Monica Page

From Monday, November 15 to Sunday November 24, the University of Miami will be one of the host sites of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Organized by The Launch Pad, Global Entrepreneurship Week brings together young people and professionals from around the world to discuss the trends and developments in the field of entrepreneurship. Speakers provide the audience with knowledge, skills and practical insight that they have learned over time.

The appeal of Global Entrepreneurship Week is that expands farther than just those interested in entrepreneurship. Any major on campus can participate to gain knowledge about an important figure in their field of even to just learn more about a subject they are interested in. Last year one of the presenters during the University of Miami Global Entrepreneurship Week was Dana White, the founder of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Not everyone in the audience had dreams of running a mixed martial arts competition. There was a mix of fans and those who just found the event to be interesting.

In 2008, The Launch Pad was the #1 US partner of Global Entreneurship week and the top campus partner in 2009. This year, The Launch Pad has scheduled different programs featuring entrepreneurs in the field of technology, food and hospitality, fashion and entertainment. One set of programs will also feature women entrepreneurs.

Event highlights include:
Monday, November 15
5:00 p.m. Food fair opens - University Center Patio
TASTE of ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Explore entrepreneurship in the food and beverage industries and culinary arts. Over 30 businesses will be serving bites and sharing their story to success.
Please note, pre-registration is required at www.thelaunchpad.org/GEWregistration.

Tuesday, November 16
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - University Center Flamingo Ballroom A
Entrepreneurs in Sports
Mike Levy, Founder and CEO - OPEN Sports and Fantasy Live

Wednesday, November 17
8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast - Newman Alumni Center
WOMEN in ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Celebrate entrepreneurs and businesswomen in South Florida. Network with innovative leaders with girl power!

Thursday, November 18
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - University Center Flamingo Ballrooms A-B-C
Import Export Luncheon
Neal Asbury, CEO - The Legacy Companies and 2008 US National Champion Exporter of the Year
Conscientious Equity book signing
Please note, pre-registration is required at www.thelaunchpad.org/GEWregistration.

7:30 to 9 p.m. - Storer Auditorium
Technology Gadgets - Case Study
If you build a better mousetrap... presented by MIT Enterprise Forum and RefreshMiami

Friday, November 19
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Networking and Reception
An EVENING with FASHION ENTREPRENEURS
Celebrate the style of Miami with a showcase by South Florida's up-and-coming designers and trend-setters

For more information about Global Entrepreneurship Week and to view the complete list of programs, please visit The Launch Pad website or call 305-284-2789. For more information about other Global Entrepreneurship Events outside of the University of Miami campus, visit their official website.