University of Miami Toppel Peers

Get Accredited: Acing the Med School Interview

2012-02-24T06:54:00.001-05:00

Written By: Priyanka Surio

The most common misconception is that you don’t have to prepare for your medical school interview, but that’s the difference between those students that get their foot in the door and those that can actually walk through it to the other side, the medical student side.

How to prepare for the medical school interview? Includes tips, preparation, answers, ambiguous questions, ethical questions, and other elements as created by experienced interviewer and author Dr. B Ferdinand of the Gold Standard MCAT-US.

What’s the point?

The admissions committee has already seen your credentials, now they are simply ensuring your maturity and let’s be honest: they want to make sure you aren’t the antisocial psychopath genius who may crack at the slightest bit of pressure. Being a doctor requires outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. You will have to communicate with nurses and other health professionals. You will need to be able to relate to patients in a way that is clear, convincing, and sympathetic to their needs. By getting to know you, the admissions committee can determine whether you are able to effectively relate to others. They conduct their investigation by asking you questions that shed light on your interests, goals, beliefs, and experiences.

Click here for Sample Questions.

The table of traits

Medical school admissions committees are looking for the following traits observable by your interaction with them throughout the interview.

Maturity
Communication Skills
Honesty
Motivation
Energy
Confidence
Humility
Compassion
Listening Skills
Sense of Humor
Analytical Skills
Leadership Potential

First impressions are lasting

You are receiving this interview because you have already demonstrated that you are a strong applicant for medical school. You are still being strongly considered, and as such, you should not take the interview lightly. Set the tone for your interview because you have full control over that part of the process. Make sure to show the admissions committee that you are serious about the interview and don’t take this opportunity for granted. Dress the part in full business professional attire, erring on the conservative side. Bring a folder or portfolio with several resumes or CV’s to hand out to each interviewer; it shows preparedness on your behalf. BE ON TIME, and remember fifteen minutes early is on time and on time is late. Look them in the eye with confidence not arrogance. You don’t have the seat in the incoming class yet, so make sure you don’t overstep boundaries by acting like you do. Firm handshakes are a must as they show the key to success: confidence.Once you are in the interview, never forget that a smile goes a long way. Being positive and enthusiastic shows your passion for the field and demonstrates like-ability which is what you need when a group of professionals are staring you down. It shows you cannot be fazed or intimidated, which is an asset for any future doctor who is faced with challenging decisions daily.

The key to success is confidence.

We’ve heard this over and over, but how does one handle curveball questions or those designed to test your potential weaknesses in the application? The secret is to be able to answer each question with confidence giving the impression of a well poised individual under pressure. You have to be able to talk about your weaknesses in a manner where you acknowledge them and demonstrate how you have learned and improved since then. Don’t think of your weakness as a burden, think of it more like a way to show how you overcame, conquered, and learned.

You know you’re winning when...

The interview shifts from interrogation to dialogue. You want the interview to be a give and take, which means you need to know your stuff. Asking intuitive questions, not only about current healthcare issues, but about the medical school’s specific trends is the key to impressing the committee and breaking the ice. It also creates a more comfortable atmosphere and shows an intellectual adeptness that surpasses the rigid conduct of the interviewer and gets them to loosen their bit and engage in your conversation. It’s about showing your personality and getting the admissions committee to like you. One of my role models, Dr. Benjamin Carson, the youngest pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University and its affiliated hospital, tried this method when interviewing for a one spot residency position within the prestigious institution. He looked for and found a commonality between himself and the interviewer: classical music. The interview ended up being a discussion on classical composers which shifted into a general conversation about Dr. Carson’s life and how he began listening to that type of music. At the end of the “interview” (about an hour later) the interviewer states, “well I suppose I have to carry on with interviewing the other candidates, but let me say it has been an immense pleasure having such an enlightening conversation with you." The next day, Dr. Carson received notification that he had been selected for this extremely competitive residency position. While this may not be a common occurrence, the moral of the story is to find that common thread and expound upon it, really engaging the admissions committee.

Dissecting the Group Interview

The group interview means the committee will be asking questions from more than one candidate. This is an atmosphere that can easily foster cutthroat competition, but it is important to remember that trying to be a know-it-all will not help you in this situation. You will not only be observed on how you answer questions, you will also be observed for how you react when your fellow applicants are speaking. This is where you put your pride aside and hide that scheming jealous face for a more natural, attentive, and most importantly, respectful look. Remember, these applicants are just as intimidated by you and maintaining that mutual respect for them is important. They have had to go through a symmetrical process, with long stressful hours of studying and preparation. Being sympathetic and respectful of your fellow peers shows that you are the bigger man/woman, which to an admissions committee speaks volumes on your character. Being alert also provides you an opportunity to learn. You can always learn something from someone and you may be surprised at what you can use in another interview that a fellow applicant brought up in the group setting. Most importantly, speak up! Just as being respectful of others’ opinions is vital, you also can’t take the route of being so polite that you surpass the opportunity to make your thoughts heard. Making a presence within the group interview is important and can set you apart from the other applicants, which is why when you say something it needs to be insightful or profound, not simply speaking for the sake of being heard. To an admissions committee and the other applicants, talking out of turn or too much can hurt you because it looks unrefined, disrespectful, and is even downright annoying. Overall, look at the group interview as an opportunity to engage with other future doctors and potential classmates.

Toppel can remedy your stress.
At the Toppel Career Center we host mini-mock interviews which typically last 15-20 minutes where we ask you a handful of questions that may be asked in a real interview. Students who have utilized our services before have walked away with more confidence because they know they have received the much needed feedback and suggestions on what to focus on during their interview. Peer advisors go over the interview questions and answers and refer to a rating sheet to explain how you performed under mock settings. You can also schedule mock interviews with advisors that last an hour and require business professional attire, resumes, and have a recording option. In order to schedule a mock interview, you must have attended at least one interview skills workshop. Our website HireACane also has print materials from that workshop. The peer advisors also present on interviewing skills to different student groups or at the career center during various days in the semester. Last but not least, it is important to create, utilize and update your HireACane account that every student at the U has access to via their C number. On the main webpage of your account, a helpful icon titled Optimal Resume has mock interview software and thousands of questions that you have access to.

Check out these websites for more tips

• Insider Medical School Admissions

• Toppel's Interviewing Tips

• Princeton Review's Interview Tips

• Future Doctor

• Ivy League Admissions

• Student Doctor Network

Good Luck!

Toppel Stars: Marlo Wyant

2012-02-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

Written By: Priyanka Surio

An Engineer with a Bright Future

Marlo Wyant, originally from Newport, Rhode Island, is on a fast track towards accomplishment, astounding us with her achievement much like a shooting star.She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and recently graduated in December 2011.

She aspires to be a practicing engineer with a technical career path. She is well on her way with the 4 internships she held throughout her undergraduate career. BMW Manufacturing, GE Engineering, and the Naval Research Laboratory are a few of the big names she has worked for. Currently, she work for Solar Turbines, a company where she started as an intern with. She employed all of the techniques that lead to success upon the culmination of one's undergraduate years:

Networking
Gaining professional experience
Holding more than 1 internship
Attending professional conferences that can lead to further opportunities
Applying to various opportunities
Keeping a handful of options
Visiting the Toppel Career Center

But don't just take my word for it. She is also a dazzling star among engineering students, especially when she worked as a Toppel Peer Advisor, reaching out to her fellow engineering peers.Watch the video below to witness how she utilized her years here at UM and how she plans on continuing the pathway towards her blazing future!

Orchestrating your Life in B Major and C Minor

2012-02-13T12:41:00.002-05:00

Majors and Minors Fair

Written By: Priyanka Surio

So you want to compose the Soundtrack to Your Life, but you are in need of instruction. You have to take on the challenge of making a decision about your career. The first step to orchestrating your future is finding your calling.

The Orchestra is hosting auditions Wednesday, February 15, from 1-4 p.m. at the UC Rock Plaza and your up. You have your College of Arts and Sciences housing a plethora of the majors and minors at this University, the School of Education, boasting of it's early on hands on immersion in teaching, the Nursing School where real students see real patients, School of Business where your entrepreneurial mind is fostered, and many more that all come together like the players in an orchestra. You just have to find which niche expounds upon your natural talent and passion.

What are the qualifications? It isn't true that you have to be a freshman in order to be allowed in. People find they have multiple interests or discover hidden talents and maybe you are a first semester junior who just had an epiphany. Either way it never hurts to try and the Majors and Minors Fair is just the right place to start organizing, prioritizing, and making headway with your interests.

What if I have stage-fright? Breathe deeply and remember that although you can speak to your adviser, the occasional upperclassmen who has changed their major 5X, or your Mom, nothing can give you a better feel other than speaking with the representatives in each department yourself.

Sing your heart out about what your interests and goals are. When you do this, each department will understand what you are trying to achieve and be able to better identify what major or minor would be most applicable for you.

While some notes may look foreign, you will be amazed at how much you learn about each Department and how this can help you identify what your role is in this greater orchestra. Therefore, it is important to peruse each option with careful consideration, as does the violinist, who uses painstaking effort to clean his bow and tune his strings.

Create your own masterpiece. By the end of the Majors and Minors Fair you should have a clear idea of what your first masterpiece will revolve around. Sure you will have a few hiccups in G minor, but even Mozart didn't play ingeniously at first. He discovered his passion and became a prodigy through dedication to his love for music. You too can become a prodigy within whatever department you choose. Like the famous adage says, "To truly live, you must commit to a cause that you believe in. Once you find it, do not commit yourself half way; dedicate yourself wholeheartedly".

Freshman Year Tip 1: Create your Resume

2012-02-08T10:09:00.002-05:00

By Marissa Bell

Let’s face it, being a freshman is hard. After 4 years, you’re once again at the bottom of the barrel, you don’t know where you’re going, and you occasionally, and accidentally, throw your keys into the lake and have to go in to retrieve them (or maybe that’s just me). And we can all admit it: being on your own for the first time is quite possibly the most exciting experience of your adult life thus far. It’s easy to sit back and say, “Hey, I’m just a freshman; I’ve got all the time in the world, I don’t have to worry about jobs until at least junior year. And besides, where would I even start?” But it’s important to not let yourself think that way. There is always something that can be done, and it’s never too early to start.

So that’s where I come in. As a freshmen working amongst the exponentially more put together upperclassmen at the Toppel Career Center, I’ve been thrown into the world of how to better prepare yourself for life after college before I was even ready to start thinking about it. And after working here for a semester, I’m realizing that it was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I’ve had the special privilege of working alongside people who have taken pity of my frazzled freshman self and taught me things that some people don’t start doing until second semester senior year. First bit of advice: Do not start second semester senior year, it is a recipe for disaster and sadness. It seems only fair to pass the knowledge on to my peers to try to avoid said disaster and sadness.

The scariest thing you can do is look at the picture as a whole right now because, quite frankly, it’s overwhelming, and as freshmen, we have an excuse to admit openly that we have absolutely no idea what we want to do with our lives. So to try to figure it out, and to transition smoothly into calm and prepared upperclassmen, over the course of the semester, you can read here for simple tips to achieve just that. Here we go:

Official Tip #1: Create a Resume.

First thing anyone says is, “But I don’t have any experience, what would I put on there?” As a freshman, it’s OK to have things from high school, to put that you were a babysitter or a life guard, or to mention that you were president of the school Ecology Club. While it might seem embarrassing now, the important thing is to beef up your resume so you can get more professional experience to eliminate those high school bullet points.

Easiest way to make one of these? Come into Toppel and get one of our resume guides or click here to download from our website. All you have to do is pick a format you like, and then put your information in. It’s better to put as much as you can think of and then edit down later.

Once you have your resume rough draft, you can come to the career center Monday through Thursday 10:00-4:30, and we’ll help you edit it, no appointment necessary. The reason writing a resume needs to be your first step is because once you have a resume online at our website, www.hireacane.com, you can apply to internships, part time and full time jobs, get 250 business cards for only 10 dollars (which, let me tell you, make you feel pretty awesome), and so many other things.

So, there’s the first official Toppel Tip, stay tuned to find out more ways that you can become a prepared and put together freshman!

Using your Greek ties to network | USA TODAY College

2012-02-06T14:52:00.001-05:00

Toppel's Executive Director, Christian Garcia, and Assistant Director for Recruiting Services, Natalie de Rojas, are in USA Today College, written by Nancy Oben, UM Student:

Using your Greek ties to network | USA TODAY College

Establishing Your Personal Brand

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Written By Monica Page

Branding, the buzzword that once described how to make the general public link “Coke” and “soda” has evolved to include a way to market and promote the person. Personal branding involves how to market yourself instead of a product or service. Since the most knowledgeable person about you is you, it is important to convey what you consider to be the best definition of “you.” Branding involves the way you present something to the world, so when it comes to yourself, you want to insure your best and most relevant qualities are put forward.

Find your niche

As with most things, it is easier to focus all your energies in one place versus spread across multiple areas. No matter how many interests you may have when it comes to creating a foothold in a certain area, it is best to initiate self-imposed “tunnel vision” on one specific area. The benefit of zoning in allows you to focus all your energy into entering a certain field and establishing your presence. Your niche needs to be more than just an area you like, but also one where you would like to work and establish your presence . Find the intersection between your personal likes and your career goals and hone in on that.

Construct your voice

Personal branding involves a lot more than just resumes and business cards; you also need to create a unique and personalized voice. Your “voice” is how you interact with others and present yourself to the outside world. It is important that when crafting your voice you make it unique and a reflection of who you are. If you put on airs in an attempt to fit in more with the status quo, people will ignore you. Convey who you are in your interactions while also fitting into the established order and culture. Stand out, but don’t make yourself an outcast.

Be consistent

It is important not to go around changing your opinion every three seconds depending on what choice is most prevalent in the news. Once your personal brand has been established to the point that people are listening to you and viewing you as knowledgeable in a certain area, you don’t want to become erratic. It isn’t rocket science; convey the opinions you have and only change when you see the personal, not professional need to. Along the same lines, you don’t want to publicize opinions that may cause you to become a beacon of unwanted controversy. Perhaps the best suggestion would be to establish your opinions, weigh those opinions on how appropriate they may be, and if they are appropriate, to convey them to the public in a way that is consistent and not wavering with the times.

Market yourself

Establishing all the facets of a personal brand is useless if you don’t work to present yourself to other people. To make your personal brand beneficial and not just a weekend graphic design experiment, you need to go out and present yourself to people. Whether its handing out resumes, going to networking events or even starting a blog and sending it to people in the specific career, you want to make sure all your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Create your personal brand and make sure you proactively use it to either increase your presence or establish it for the first time.

When looking at personal branding as a whole, you become the product. Every time a person tweets or makes a Facebook post about an actor, they are reacting to the person’s personal brand. No matter what career field you enter it is possible to establish your own personal brand, even if you will be marketing another. As the outward representation you are presenting to the world it is imperative that you consider your personal brand as an extension of yourself. Use it, but be aware of the image you are projecting. Just like a resume, it is okay to tweak and improve your personal brand to present the best representation.

Don’t get LOST among the Bones (Scholarship Search Tips)

2012-01-18T04:00:00.000-05:00

By: Priyanka Surio

Knowing when something is an old find. The first thing you need to discover is whether you are eligible for whatever scholarship or fellowship you are applying for. Some scholarships have expiration dates, are school year specific, or have certain stipulations, like being left handed. Make sure to read and re-read the fine print before delving into the dirt. Don’t assume every fellowship or scholarship award is yearly. Funding differs from year to year. Just because your older brother applied for it, doesn’t mean it will still be there waiting for you to find. You also have to start on your dig early and follow up with whatever contact is provided prior to starting or else you will find you’ve dug a hole with nothing but dust on the other end.

What’s fake and what’s real? To determine whether the artifact you are holding is real or a copy can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. They will all look enticing and legitimate but here are a few things to keep in mind: Most scholarships don’t make you pay a fee. The year, make, and model says it all. If this is a newer scholarship or fellowship opportunity, those are more likely to be a convincing copy. If you see a flyer or advertisement and visit the web-page and it doesn’t exist, then you may not want to pursue that option any further. If the phone number does not exist, then the scholarship probably doesn’t either. If they ask for too much information and are not a governmental organization don’t fall for their scams!

Be patient, it takes a while to uncover gold. Applying for any form of stipend takes time because essentially you are getting free money and have to prove that you are a treasure to keep. Here’s a list of common tools you will need to unearth that prize winning relic.
1. An updated and thoroughly reviewed resume.
2. If there is an application or essay required make sure you have several peers and advisers look at your final product. It is important to have peers look at your application to make sure it sounds like your “voice”. It is important to have advisers look at your application for professionalism and to refine any rough edges.
3. If recommendation letters are needed, ask potential recommenders if they are able to write you a strong letter of recommendation by the deadline. Usually allow 1-2 months for preparation of a letter. Do not ask a year in advance as your recommender is most likely to forget. Furthermore, you want to make sure that they know you in the most positive light so you can receive that five star rating.
4. Order transcripts or other forms of verification 1-2 months in advance.
5. Plan at least several months in advance for any large scholarship or fellowship that requires documents as part of the application.
6. Plan at least a month in advance for smaller scale scholarships and contests.

Be the first to know! Stay abreast of all the new sites and treasures out there by signing up for their respective email notifications and newsletters. For example, Fastweb.com sends you emails based on new scholarships, internships, or fellowships that you qualify for, or that might be of interest to you once they become publicized and posted. They also send you reminders on any scholarships that have deadlines within two weeks. Talk about convenience, all from the comfort of your personal laptop. This way you can strategically plan which scholarships you wish to apply for from your seemingly endless choices.

Sometimes it’s right beneath your nose! Wouldn’t life be easier if there was someone there to tell us when and where we might find a great artifact? Look no more! Many universities have an Prestigious Awards Office on campus. Within these offices are advisers destined to help you on your search, application process, and more. Get plugged into your office or department on campus today to learn about all the scholarships you didn’t know you qualified for. These departments are also handy in making sure you have all the necessary tools before you begin your excavation. They will help you put together an application package, ensure you have any letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. assembled before sending you on your way. And the best part is, you can use them over and over again and they won’t mind! UM's Prestigious Awards Office wants young anthropologists like you to succeed.

Snoop like a detective at a crime scene. The greatest treasures are found in the most obvious places, but as busy students we so often pass up all these opportunities. Where do you look? Anywhere on campus. Those flyers you see hanging up in breezeways, near classrooms, on your desk, they all contain a window of opportunity waiting for you to decipher from their messages. When was the last time you read the news? This morning, last week , last month? There are opportunities for scholarships and fellowships posted all the time in the news, it is part of that respective organization’s ad campaign and as subtle as it might seem you would be surprised how many people notice. For example, there was an essay contest on campus last week with flyers hanging by all the Dooley Memorial classrooms. I noticed the janitor taking them down and discarding them several yards away, as they do with all flyers that are posted around these areas, so I quickly took one to look at later. If I didn’t seize the moment I might have never gotten the shot at winning money for doing something I do often; write!

Here are some clues to aid you in your search:
The Woodson Williams Marshall Application
Woodrow Wilson and Pickering Graduate/Undergraduate Fellowships
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
E-learners is a great website for info on College Scholarships and Grants Education Connection - great web-page for scholarship searches based on education and interest
Fastweb - the ultimate scholarship portal
Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program
Fulbright Fellowship http://fulbright.state.gov/
Scholarship Points – drawings for scholarship money

Good luck and happy digging!

Making a New Year’s Resolution and Sticking to It

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Written by Oleg Ignatenko

Every year we are presented with a chance to make a Resolution. For some, it may be to stop smoking, lose weight or start a family. Let’s take an educational approach here and set resolutions such as to get an internship for the summer, to raise the GPA to above 3.5 or depending on the Graduation date, to get hired by an employer in your field of study. But the question remains, “When to start the process of realizing and accomplishing this resolution?” The best answer is “Now!” The majority of people tend to wait before starting something new such as a project or some sort of commitment just because we are natural procrastinators. But that doesn’t have to be the way. Telling yourself that you will begin next week is just an excuse to push that responsibility off of yourself and delay it further. Instead, surprise yourself and begin today, now, at this very moment. If it is something that you have your mind set on and you know that eventually it is something that has to be done, then, there is no reason to wait any longer.

Depending on what type of a resolution you have set out to accomplish, most of all you will need to develop a plan, a sense of patience and the will to persevere. As quoted by Winston Churchill “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” By not having a plan, you are setting yourself up for disaster. Just as a football team trains and prepares themselves for a specific opponent or a business employee who readies to present a PowerPoint presentation to their company, both need to develop a plan, a strategy that will allow them to succeed in their trials. “Patience is the greatest of all virtues” – Cato the Elder (234 BC – 149 BC). Patience is something that a lot of people lack and need practice to control. Lack of patience might be the single greatest reason that many get frustrated and give up their ambitions and dreams. We all know that spending an entire day at the gym is not going to instantly make you lose 20 pounds. Realistically speaking, to accomplish something great and worthy of being proud of takes time and hard work. “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another” – Walter Elliot. Hard work and perseverance go hand in hand. The will to finish something, to not leave it incomplete, to refrain from giving up is what hard work and perseverance are all about. It is this type of mindset from which ordinary people achieve extraordinary results.

The best way to plan out your strategy for accomplishing your resolution is to make short term plans. When walking down a stairway, you don’t jump the entire thing; otherwise you’ll probably break a hip or a leg. Instead you take one step at a time. This is a similar scenario. Begin by making weekly goals and monthly goals. The weekly goals will allow you to make small but significant strides in your progress and the monthly goals will summarize what you had to accomplish in those past four weeks. The monthly goals will act as a check-up system, which will make sure that you remain on track and do not fall behind with completing your weekly goals.

Patience is also something that takes time to accomplish and needs to be practiced by steps. The biggest problem with Resolutions is that you don’t see the result for a while (depending on your resolution). What you do see is progress and it is very crucial that you remind yourself of your goal and how it will affect your life in a positive way after you will accomplish it. These self-encouragements will allow you to continue your hard work and eventually persevere.

The main thing to remember is that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose from this. By accomplishing your resolution, you will prove to people and most importantly yourself that you are capable of achieving any goals that you set out in front of yourself. You will know that you possess the qualities of planning, patience and the will to persevere. There is nothing more satisfying than accomplishing a goal that you have set out for yourself. You will feel a great sense of pride, achievement and dignity. At the end of the year you can look back at what you have achieved and rejoice. With this accomplishment you can now feel confident to set out other goals and know that you have the necessary qualities to accomplish anything.

“It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it” – Vince Lombardi.

Figure Out What Type of Career Fits You Best

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Written by Oleg Ignatenko

It all starts with a simple thought “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life”. When a person expresses this statement they should know that they are not alone. Just type those exact words into the Google search engine and it will generate about 526 million results. The earlier you think about this statement, the better, but that does not mean this thought only comes up in the mind of an individual that is 16-28 years old. This is truly one of the most complex questions because the solution lies within many aspects of every individual person. Their interests, passions, personality, goals and aspirations are just some of the factors that could help determine exactly what type of profession an individual could be interested in. The feeling of not knowing what to do for a living can be very confusing and stressful times, but there are many ways of overcoming this obstacle. First, begin by asking yourself a few general questions:

What do I enjoy?
(Many people get discouraged already by this stage as they begin to think “I like playing video games, ” “I like to travel” or “I like to pet animals. ” These are common activities that many people find enjoyable, but these are all important stepping stones that will factor into your decision about a possible future career.)
What type of salary would I be satisfied with?
(This is also a big factor because some people wouldn’t mind having a career that pays roughly 50K and would be completely satisfied, while others consider money as a greater importance and strive for a significantly larger income.)
Where do I want to work?
(Location is very important. While some people love to travel and work in a new environment, possibly in a different state or country, others prefer to be close to where they grew up or went to college so they can be closer to their families and loved ones.)

After looking over and reviewing these three questions, you should be able to narrow down your choices significantly. Now you are ready for the fun part. It is time to do a couple of career assessment tests. This is just another way of extensively narrowing your career choices down even further. These tests have been specifically designed to help identify a specific theme that you are related to based on your interest, skills, values and work activities. This theme will tell you more about yourself and give you a list of careers you may enjoy.
There are a variety of tests that are available online. Most notable are the assessment tests on the HireACane website. We are able to provide three different tests.

The first is the Self Directed Search (SDS) Assessment Booklet. It is very basic and is a do-it-yourself way of determining future possible occupations. This booklet is available at the Toppel Career Center to any student or alum who is interested.
The second is the TypeFocus Career Assessment Tool. It provides an extensive questionnaire that will provide you with a deeper insight through the assessment pertaining to your personality, values, and interests. This tool is available on your HireACane account. (After logging in, scroll down on the homepage to find it)
The third is the Strong Test. This is the most in-depth assessment test that is offered through Toppel. The Strong Test is organized through six sections that organize your results and gives you the best possible outlook on your future possible careers. This test costs ten dollars and is also offered at the Toppel Career Center.

After completing these tests, the next step is to set up an appointment with an advisor. This way you can talk about your results and options with someone who has experience with helping students choose the right path to success. This would also be a great opportunity for you to ask questions about certain areas and also a way to analyze those career choices to get a better understanding for what steps you will need to take to start the process of setting yourself up for success.

If you have taken all these steps utilizing this information, having analyzed your decisions, you should now be on your way towards a career with some sort of goal in perspective. Remember that if you get stuck, there is always help available at the Toppel Career Center and there is no need to panic if you’re having difficulty deciding what you want to do for a living. Give yourself time and follow your passions and you will surely find a career that will be satisfy you.

As you can see even the brightest people of our generation at one point had no idea what they wanted to do in their life and the only way to overcome this problem was continuing their pursuit to find happiness through trial and error and through failures and ultimately success.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Wishing you the very best for your holiday season! Hope your finals went well and you come back safe and sound from winter break!

‘Tis the Season! Holiday Guide to Top Interview Tips

2011-12-19T09:00:00.017-05:00

Written By Pallavi Pal

It is the season for enjoying the holidays, gifts galore, amazing home cooked meals, holiday parties, and all things merry! Everyone is usually excited about the holiday season for the festivities and fun but as a college student the holidays can be a time for interviews and applying for jobs or internships. But don’t let these interviews ruin your holiday cheer! Here are a few tips that most don’t know (or do) for an interview!

1. Do your research before going to the interview
Just as you prepare before a holiday party or celebration, you want to make sure you have prepared before the interview. Having done your research you appear a more knowledgeable and eager candidate. You can start off by doing informational interviews with current employees so you can get the inside scoop on the company, position and/or department for which you are interviewing.

2. Know how to sell yourself
When interviewers sit through 20-50 interviews for a particular position, the answers they get start to become generic. To set yourself apart from others strategize on how you want to market yourself. (Look for our blog entry on Jan. 12 about Personal Branding). There are many different sides to a person and if you are cognizant of the type of person you want to portray to the interviewer, you can tailor the experiences and skills that you highlight during the interview to reflect that specific persona.

3. Practice before the real deal
Just as the famous saying goes, “practice makes perfect,” rehearsing possible questions and answers can make you less nervous for the interview and can also be a great way to avoid those awful filler words such as “er” or “um.” Also, some difficult questions may require you to think carefully to answer the question. If you practice beforehand, the interview process becomes smoother and you won’t need to have awkward pauses anytime you are faced with a difficult question. If you want to get a list of general interview questions so you know what to prepare for, please check out Interview Preparation page on HireACane.com.

4. Chat up the Receptionist to get the inside scoop
So what can the receptionist really do for you? Well, the receptionist sits at the front desk everyday and they hear all the latest news and updates about what goes on in the office. Receptionists are a particularly good source of information mainly because they are willing and excited to talk to those who walk in to the office but also because they can be an untapped source of information. Moreover, the impression you leave on the receptionist can be passed along to the hiring managers through casual conversation. Some hiring managers would like to learn about how interviewees interact with others when they are not interviewing. Thus, hiring managers may ask receptionists about the behavior and attitude of the interviewees after the interview is over.

5. Have several questions prepared
Many disregard this piece of advice because they don’t think that their questions are being evaluated or have an impact. Questions should always be asked towards the end of the interview in order to not only show that you’re genuinely interested in the position but also to demonstrate the amount of research you’ve done. Stay away from questions that can be answered by simply looking at their website, questions regarding pay and compensation, and questions in which you ask them to tell you what type of candidate they are looking for. You want to ask them thought-provoking questions regarding recent trends in the industry, questions relating to strategy changes that the company is making or the department for which you are applying, and questions about the interviewer’s past experiences.

6. Bring several copies of your resume and thank the interviewer
This is a simple thing to do prior to the interview but it can leave a resounding impact on the interviewer(s). The reason we recommend to bring several copies is because sometimes interviews are held in a panel style or can be with more than one person. Bringing several copies of your resume can allow you to look prepared to handle anything. Moreover, you are supplying each of your interviewers with a copy of your resume without them having to share with another. Thanking them in person with a firm handshake towards the end of the interview can demonstrate your genuine appreciation for their time. These may seem like minute details, but these minute details can make you stand apart from your competition.

7. Send a thank you note
If you send your interviewer a thank you note, you may not automatically get the job offer but you will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. It is a great gesture of appreciation for the time and energy they invested to interview you. Sometimes sending a handwritten note can mean a lot more to the interviewer than a typed, rather impersonal note.

To get more information on interviewing, please check on our Interviewing Skills Handbook and more blog entries on interviewing. Or you can stop in to Toppel for a Mini-Mock Interview that we offer to students on a walk-in basis!

How to Work Your Way Up the Corporate Ladder

2011-12-12T16:19:00.002-05:00

Written By Pallavi Pal

So let us assume you’re a recent graduate and you have a job lined up. You’re excited and apprehensive about what the future holds but mostly you’re ready to get out into the workforce and make some hard earned dinero (especially in this economy). What do you have in life to worry about apart from getting the most of your penny pitcher Wednesdays and GroveThursdays?

How do you make sure a job that you’ve been preparing almost twenty-some years for lasts more than three days? Well, believe it or not even if you have just landed a job don’t think that you are out of the frying pan yet. There’s still a lot that you can do to be proactive about the keeping the position you have and moving up the corporate ladder.

Here are some tips to help you maneuver the corporate world and make the best of the opportunities in which you are placed.

1. Sweat the small stuff
Although it may not seem like it, the little things in life really do matter and make a difference. If you go above and beyond with the small things then you set in stone a great reputation for yourself. The small things can include double and triple checking a project or presentation to delivering it, wishing those in your office happy birthdays and anniversaries, and simply by paying attention to the details of daily interactions within your office.

2. Network within the company
Everyone always talks about the power of networking, and believe me it is not overrated. Networking may sound painful and time-consuming without a direct reward but in the long-run these networks and schmoozing tactics will get you those elusive positions that you would never have known without developing relationships within your office. A great way to start would be by having lunch with a different person in a different office per week. You can reach out to them via email about their work or through others within your department. Always remember to reflect a positive image of yourself by building relationships instead of pretentious simpering and scheming. If you need more advice and tips take a look at these previous Toppel networking blogs for more info: Get Your Game Face On and How to Network

3. Be passionate about what you do
You want to give off the impression that you care deeply about what you do. You want your enthusiasm and dedication to shine through your work. The best way to show your passion for the work is by 1) asking for more work when you have little to do and 2) take an initiative to learn about the industry and your job in your own spare time. Even though it means taking more time out of your personal life for work, learning more about your industry can make it easier to network with individuals higher up in your company by having more common ground to talk about and also can give you an edge in terms of coming up with new, profound ideas based on market behavior.

4. Be a leader
Be someone to take charge when the situation calls for it. Leaders are responsible, headstrong, mature, knowledgeable about the job and, most importantly, know how to generate creative, out-of-the-box ideas. If you act like a leader, everyone in your office will look to you for advice, support and help. When your superiors see that you are the go-to person, they will put you in a position of leadership as well.

Travel as a Student

2011-12-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

By Marlo Wyant

All students should take advantage of travel opportunities while they are still in college. There are myriads of travel opportunities for college students that will never be encountered quite the same way again once they graduate. Unless you are like George Clooney in Up in the Air, once work begins and you are limited to just two to three weeks’ vacation time, your travel prospects become minimized. Traveling can broaden one’s cultural perspective, help learn a new language and discover interests not previously known. Whether traveling abroad or staying within the United States, there are many modes of participating in enriching experiences, many of which have scholarship and funding opportunities.

1.) Study Abroad

One of the best and more practical ways to gain extensive foreign travel experience is to participate in the study abroad program at the University of Miami or other partnering institutions of higher learning.
The University of Miami has an excellent study abroad program for students of all majors and varying language proficiencies. The U has partnerships with over 80 universities in 32 countries around the world, including Spain, the Galapagos Islands, and China. You have the option of studying abroad for a semester or up to one full year, all while gaining college credits towards your UM degree. With the world at your feet, why would you not take advantage of this opportunity? Check out the University of Miami Study Abroad Program at http://www.miami.edu/index.php/study_abroad.

Another program to consider is the Semester at Sea program by the University of Virginia. Semester at Sea is one very unique opportunity that allows college students of any major take university courses while living aboard a ship and traveling around the world. The trips can last as long as 111 days during the semester or as short as 20 days in the summer. Most recently, the Fall 2011 semester trip lasted 111 days and traveled to 14 different countries including Canada, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, Panama, Vietnam and more. Check out the Semester at Sea program at http://www.semesteratsea.org.

2.) Participate in a University of Miami Intersession Trip

The University of Miami is fortunate enough to offer international travel opportunities for students during its winter and spring breaks, while providing academic credit. Accessed through the UM Study Abroad office, intersession travels have several programs open to a variety of majors. This coming semester, there are sessions held in countries like Argentina, Italy, Panama, Peru, Spain, and England. Typically these sessions only last one to two weeks but expose students to the cultural diversity of the world and also provide them with three academic credits. Check it out at http://www.miami.edu/index.php/study_abroad/programs/faculty-led/

3.) Travel with a Club or Competition

With nearly 180 clubs and organization at the University of Miami, there are ample opportunities to travel for competitions, community service projects, conferences, and sometimes for free. UM Alternative Breaks participates in community service trips each fall and spring semester to places like New Orleans, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Engineers Without Borders has had several major service project trips to Peru that were fully funded. The UM fencing club recently traveled to Philadelphia to compete in a national competition. Members of the Society of Women Engineers traveled to Chicago, Illinois for the national conference at nearly no cost and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers traveled to Anaheim, California at nearly no cost to the students.

With these eye-opening cultural experiences available, there is no reason why students should not be able to take at least one trip away from their home and the University of Miami during their student careers.

Creating an Online Presence

2011-12-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Written By Monica Page

When many people think of creating an online presence their mind automatically goes to creating a Facebook or LinkedIn page. Although social media can be a beneficial addition to your job search, it is also important to use other outlets to expand your reach. Whether it is creating a personal website or ensuring that employers are able to look at your complete employment history, using online components can simplify your job search and make it easier for recruiters to find you.

Online and Offline Components
It is important that what you present online and what you present in person are the same. Resumes have a certain amount of available space to fill with information. With an online version, it may be possible to extend the document to more than a standard page. Your print resume, which should not be longer than a page, can be tailored to a specific position. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position the resume you present should touch on your experience relevant to that position. If you have an excess amount of non-relevant experience, have the information readily available on your LinkedIn profile with a link to the page on your resume. This way, you are presenting the employer with the relevant experience first and if they want to know more about you everything is readily available to look through.

Central Hub/ Official Website
An easier and more creative way to develop an online presence is to create a simple online “landing page” for recruiters to access with links to all your various social networking websites and webpages. Free websites such as about.me and flavors.me allow you to create and edit websites that contain all of your social media channels and any additional information you would like to have. The benefit of using these channels is that they are both free and require no HTML or web design experience to manage. In the simplest terms, your personal website should act as an RSS feed for yourself. Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr and any other relevant websites you may be a part of should be linked to your personal website. Recruiters don’t want to sit and type in every single social media URL you have, it is best to just provide them with a simple link that they can click through for all your information.

Visual Resume
This may be more along the lines of creative careers, but visual-based resumes are becoming more popular. Whether you create an infographic or chart chronicling your employment experience and skills, it is best if they are accessible online in addition to paper versions. The reason for this is to ensure that all the colors and graphical quality are seen in their best representation on a computer screen. Depending on the employer (or your own) printer, quality may be lost which could look bad on your part especially if you are applying for a position in advertising or graphic design.

Social Media
A simple Google search can reveal the content you post on social media, so it may be wise to just provide the links to the recruiters, especially if you are applying for a position in either marketing or communications. Social media is the double-edged sword where you are made to believe that what you post is private, but it actually isn’t. The best advice would be to either keep your social media channels clean enough that if an employer finds them and searches through them, they won’t be discouraged from hiring you or to just not have them at all. It may be heartbreaking to close your Facebook, but one misplaced photo from South Beach could make or break your job search.

It is possible to begin your job search without a proper online presence, but it will make you look a little dated. For careers in communications it may be expected to have personal websites and social media channels versus those looking for careers in the field of law and medicine. The benefit of the Internet and technology is that you can create and delete what you feel is and is not relevant to your job search. When deciding on what you feel you need, put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter and think of the best way to search for and obtain information on multiple candidates.

How to Network Part Two

2011-11-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

By Pallavi Pal

HireACane.com has a networking section for employers who want to network with UM students. If you login to HireACane.com and then click on the green “Networking” tab. Once you click the tab you will find a multitude of contacts that are populated based on the majors you indicate in your HireACane.com profile. You can reach out to these employers to get a chance to understand more about their company specifically and what kind of opportunities they have for you.

Another subscription through HireACane.com is Career Shift. This site allows you to find others listed on Career Shift in the same industry as you. It functions somewhat as a mentorship system because as you find those in positions that interest you, it would help to reach out to them to get more advice and feedback. After logging in you should hit the “My Contacts” button to start searching for professionals that are willing to give you advice. You can even search for UM alumni by entering “University of Miami” in the School Attended box. Make sure you put UM in quotation marks or you will get alumni from a variety of universities.

LinkedIn is growing in popularity as a new social media site which allows its users to connect with others in a professional sense. Starting out, you can add classmates, teachers and previous employers as contacts. However, you are able to utilize their networks to search for more contacts. Once you message them, you can build a relationship with them to help you either find more contacts in the field or find out more about the industry. One word of advice, personalize your message when you ask someone to connect on LinkedIn. Remind them who you are, and if it is someone you don’t know then tell them why you want to connect with them.

Also, there is a 100 page guide on Vault’s Guide to Schmoozing. Login through HireACane.com and then on the homepage scroll down “Career Insider: Vault Career Online Library.” After that make sure to click on “Guides” and hit the button “Career Topic Guides.” Under this category you will find Vault’s Guide to Schmoozing.

If you have more questions or concerns, please look over the networking guide for quick tips.

Get Your Game Face On!: How to Network

2011-11-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

By Pallavi Pal

Game on! One of the easiest ways to get a job is by networking. It is especially useful in this economy, where employers are being more selective and the candidate pool can, at many times, be in the hundreds and near thousands. Many students think excelling in this is hard, however, like a game that takes a while to master, once you have mastered it networking becomes a piece of cake. That’s a sure fire way to learn to play the game right!

So what is networking? Networking is a fancy term for getting people to know who you are, building relationships and creating a so-called “network” people in your industry of choice. As a college student, you already have a network set up. Although you do not realize it, your parents, friends, classmates and teachers are automatically in this network. They know you, in some respect or the other, and they appreciate you and your skills. But how does one start networking on a professional level?

One of the most direct ways to network is through informational interviews. What is an informational interview? Informational interviews are meetings that you set up with individuals in a company, field or position where you have an interest and you get a chance to ask them questions and learn about the field. The great thing about setting up these interviews is that you are in control of the interview and you get a chance to put others in the so called “hot seat” to learn more about the industry and see if it is a good fit for you. Even though it may be daunting, setting up these sessions allows you to express an interest to someone in the industry and after meeting with them you are able to send your resume to them. More likely than not, they will have you in mind if a position opens up and a referral from an employee within the company will help you be offered an interview rather than if you had just sent in your resume and cover letter. For more tips on informational interviews and examples of questions you can ask please look at our Informational Interview Resource Sheet.

Now that you know how to network through informational interviews, how do you begin to even meet people with whom you can set up these informational interviews? Well, the easiest way is to simply reach out to others in a company that you want to work in or via LinkedIn. You can send them an email with a short description of you, your interests and career plans along with a request to meet with them for coffee or lunch just for a few minutes to learn more about the industry/position/company. Many times emails can be overlooked so a follow-up phone call may help.

Moreover, conferences can help as well. The recruiters you meet at conferences can give you feedback on what they are looking for in a candidate and what you can do to make yourself an ideal candidate. By getting their business card, you can follow up with them via email, send them a few questions and request to meet with them for a few minutes. Conferences can also be a time where you do on the spot interviews and certain companies may also offer you a job if they are interested. The Toppel Peers Blog has a great article on tips for attending conferences. Also, All Conferences has lists of industry related conferences.

Finally, when working at an internship or job, make use of this opportunity to network. Although you are working in one specific department or team, you can reach out to others in different departments in the company and set up coffee or lunch meetings with them. It is a chance to get to know more about the company, see if there are more fitting opportunities elsewhere in the company and also get a chance to build your network. Once you meet a few individuals a couple of times, you have developed a strong enough relationship to pass on your resume to them and see if they know of future career opportunities for you.

Although these are various ways to reach out to individuals in the industry of your choice and begin to meet with them, make sure to remember that networking is not a one-way street. The key to networking is building lasting relationships and the communication is a two way channel. The individuals you meet are not those that are only there to help you succeed but also you should help them in turn. As the famous saying goes “what goes around comes around,” make sure to offer your services when you can and others will be more willing and likely to help you when you need it.

2011 Most Valuable Intern Competition

2011-11-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the winners of the Most Valuable Intern Competition. View the winning videos below:

First Place: Pallavi Pal, SEO Internship with Moody's Corporation

Second Place: Monica Page, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Choosing the Right Employer or Option After Graduation

2011-11-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

Written By Marlo Wyant

A job should be more than “just a job.” It is where you will be spending most of your time after you complete your formal education. In this current economic climate, it might seem difficult to be selective with your prospects for employment. However, if you do enough research, networking, and interviewing you will be able to find a job or alternative option that will match your goals or, at least, help you realize your goals.

Stay Honest throughout the Recruitment Process
When you meet with recruiters at career fairs, professional networking events, you might have the tendency to try to tell recruiters exactly what they want to hear. Regardless of the industry, if a job seeker at a professional networking event or career fair is asked by any given recruiter “What do you want to do?” The common reply is “I want to work in the “__your___” industry and a have strong interests in opportunities with “_your__” company. While this might make the recruiter suddenly take a greater interest in you, you should always try to be as honest as possible with your goals. This way, recruiters will be able to understand your aspirations and help you find a position that fits you, not just a position that you know they may have.

Don’t just accept any job
Once you have been fruitful in your job search and have one or more offers, it is now the time to think critically about what you now have on the table. Consider the total benefits in an offer package once you have received one. Make sure you are satisfied with both the actual nature of work and the company’s benefits such as Relocation, Health Care Insurance, 401(k), Pension Plans, and Vacation Time. Follow up frequently with the company recruiters, current employees, and your potential managers to discuss your future work assignments. Try to get a good picture of what your daily life at that company would be like. If it is at all possible, try to arrange for at least one site visit so that you may be granted the opportunity to explore the area and examine the office environment that you will be working in for the next two or more years. Another good resource in gaining company insight is GlassDoor.com. This website allows current and former employees of a company to post anonymous reviews and salary information about their company.

If, after all of your completed research, you do not feel completely comfortable with the offer, you should not necessarily feel obligated to accept it. Before accepting the offer, you may want to consider if you have other potential companies where you might find opportunities. Another option to consider is if continuing your education would be a viable option. For many industries, graduate degree assist in making one more marketable and specialized, which allow one to find a niche in the industry.

If you find yourself in a Situation with Multiple Offers
Some individuals may find themselves in a predicament: two or more offers for employment. While this may seem like a great situation, it also can complicate the job-seeking process. The best way to tackle this dilemma is to make a thorough list of pros and cons. As mentioned previously, examine all aspects of the job, including salary, location, insurance, vacation time, and flexible working hours. Try to make a table that compiles these aspects of the job and see if there is a clear “winning” position. If you are still not sure, try to discuss the job with your prospective managers. Finally, having a second opinion is also helpful. Make a career advising appointment at the career center. At the University of Miami, the appointments are free and give you the opportunity to talk about your options with someone. Discussion with an advisor, who knows what to look for in an offer, may be the most beneficial in determining which job is the best fit for you. In the end, you can only choose one place of work. However, do not be afraid that the job you pick after graduation is your employment for life. The average American will change his or her career between 5 and 7 times in their lifetime.

Global Entrepreneurship Week

2011-11-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

What if there were a global movement to inspire people everywhere to embrace entrepreneurship?

Since 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week has been a rallying point for thousands of organizations working together to strengthen economies while changing the world around them. The Launch Pad at University of Miami has been the proud #1 US Campus partner for 2008, 2009, and 2010.

This year, GEW occurs from November 14 – 18, spurring new ideas, ingenuity and firm creation through more than 40,000 local, national and global activities. Leading the way is an interesting collection of activities, listed below.

Global Entrepreneurship Week will also include the 4th annual Elevator Pitch Contest presented by The Miami Herald. Open to both students and the community throughout South Florida, last year's contest awarded over $107,000 in prizes. This year we have over $116K in prizes.

Pre-registration is required:

Details for all of these events can be found online at www.thelaunchpad.org/GEW
Reservations Required | (305) 284-2789

10,000+ Views of Nostalgia

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

We here at the Toppel Career Center feel that 10,000+ views is a glorious milestone, so we're going to pat ourselves on the back and share the love. As a thank you to all those who read (and as a shameless plug to ourselves), we have created a tiny compilation of our most viewed and shared posts so far. Take a trip down memory lane as we recap our most recent accomplishments:

Jam Your Way to A Perfect Resume
Written By Samantha Gil and Thaimi Fina

Hello loyal Toppel Peers Blog followers! We are Thaimi Fina and Samantha Gil and we serve as the Toppel Career Center’s Graduate Assistants. If you’ve come in for a resume, cover letter, or personal statement critique during walk-in hours, chances are you’ve had the pleasure of meeting with us (lucky you)! When we’re not busy critiquing students’ professional documents, we enjoy our time at Toppel by jamming to old 90’s classics at our desk. Therefore, we found it thoroughly appropriate to create a blog entry linking useful resume tips to our favorite 90’s hits. So come with us as we embark on a little musical journey to the past.
Read More

Interview Fight Club
Written By Monica Page

Fight Club, the nihilistic book and movie based on the problems of the early 2000s became a pop-culture staple as memorable as a pink bar of soap made out of body fat. Tyler Durden became the voice of a generation and introduced America to three important things:

1) Brad Pitt’s abs
2) The idea that you are not a beautiful or unique snowflake
3) The eight rules of Fight Club

Concerning number three, most people are pretty familiar with the first two rules, but the other six seem to get lost between The Narrator writing haikus during work and Marla Singer stealing clothes out of washing machines. Not only are the eight rules great material to quote from in everyday life (try it sometime), they can be manipulated to be beneficial in all kinds of situations. Today, you’re getting the eight rules for a customized, University of Miami Toppel Career Center sponsored Fight Club.
Read More

The Office Shows You How to Make The Most of Your Internship
Written By Thaimi Fina

Finally, summer is here! And lucky for you, you’ve just landed a great summer internship! You enrolled in the Toppel Internship Program (TIP) and you’ll be starting your internship in the upcoming weeks. Congrats on not spending the whole summer on your parents’ couch mooching off their free food and laundry service. We’re all very proud. So you’ve secured your internship, now what? Let us here at Toppel (with the help of my favorite TV show ‘The Office’) show you how to make the most of your summer internship experience.
Read More

A Deadly Case of SENIORITIS
Written By Priyanka Surio

Everyone gets it at one point in their lives and it can be very very contagious! All of us can admit to being exposed in high school when we got our acceptance letters to college and felt that we needn’t jump over mountains and under hoops to study for exams or work on projects. But according to CollegeBoard and USA Today, what is becoming more common as a result of this attitude is the alarming fact that “every year colleges rescind offers of admission, put students on academic probation, or alter financial aid packages as a result of "senioritis." Now the vicious cycle threatens to continue for us seniors or those graduating from Undergraduate or Graduate school.
Read More

Employment, Mafioso Style
Written By Monica Page

Before we even begin one thing should be made clear: the differentiation between “gangster” and “gangsta.” This post is not about the life and times of 50 Cent or any other rapper with “thug life” tatted on their chest. What we are talking about here is an all-American institution. The movie roles that guarantee Oscars and the life choices that guarantee jail time for tax evasion, not murders or crime. This is the livelihood of Scorsese, the original famous Italians before Jersey Shore made “Guido” a household line. This is the Mafioso guide to employment.
Read More

Thanks To Everyone Who Has Shared and Read

Here's To 10,000 Views and 10,000 More

Classically Prepare for a Job Upon Graduation

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Written By Monica Page

Graduation is the time when you finally put your money where your mouth is. All these years of slaving around in the library and using every last cent of UPrint to finally get that research paper turned in on time leads to this. College is about the experiences, but above all it is about learning the skills to succeed in the future job market. Parents do not send their kids to college for them to just party; that is a by-product, but not the ultimate goal. When it comes to obtaining a job, the “golden prospect” is having it secured and in the bag before graduation. It is about having the chance to sign all the paper work, obtain the start date and relax to the best of your abilities before you shake Shalala’s hand and walk off the stage into your future. So what better way to explain obtaining a post-grad job early than to use movies that were released before you (and maybe even your parents) were born?

Stanley Kowalski: You know what luck is? Luck is believing you're lucky, that's all... To hold a front position in this rat-race, you've got to believe you are lucky. (A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951)

When it comes to talking about students who are able to obtain jobs before they graduate, it can be easy to consider them lucky, but it is so much more than that. Luck is more than catching a Hail Mary pass in football or making it to the shuttle right before it leaves. Luck is lining up everything you have done in your life to a point where, when you least expect it, everything comes together. Luck is not waiting until some glorious moment is beamed down to you from the heavens, but rather just existing in a moment in time where everything is going right. If you believe you are unlucky and fated to work in a minimum wage job, living on a pull-out futon in your mother’s basement for the rest of your life, you will probably end up that way. If you believe that waiting a couple of days, weeks or months for everything to come together, it will.

Philip Marlowe: I know he was a good man at whatever he did. No one was more pleased than I when I heard you had taken him on as your... whatever he was. (The Big Sleep, 1946)

The resume stands as a way to show employers who you are and what you are capable of before they meet you in person. It is the sum total of all the relevant experience you obtained in college from jobs to internships. It is very common for a recent college graduate to have a resume filled with multiple internship positions that have no connection to what they have finally decided to do with their life. The purpose of internships is to discover what you really want to do with your life, not to have a decision already set in stone. Additionally, you may not have had a clear position in the company, but rather just bounced around to whatever department you were needed, having a multitude of experiences for each position. When it comes time to apply to companies and get your life together, focus on shaping your resume and experience in way that makes you come off as a proper fit for the position. Small changes such as switching verbs to ones that are used a lot in the field can easily make a resume seem more attractive to specific positions.

Gilda: [to Johnny] You haven't been around lately. I thought maybe you were an amnesia victim or something. (Gilda, 1946)

The development of social media in the 21st century has barred people from claiming they forgot about someone. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other services all provide people a way to constantly keep in contact with others. The ancient Rolodex has now been moved online as we can easily go through all our connections to see who may be able to help us. As a basic lesson in formality, just e-mailing someone out of the blue makes you look bad and can easily be linked with using someone just for his or her connections. If you meet someone, whether as part of a job/internship or a basic networking event, that looks as though they may be beneficial in helping with you future career prospects, keep in touch with them. Make a good impression and demonstrate that you are valuable as a way to indirectly encourage them to keep you in mind when future opportunities arise.

Brick Pollitt: What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?
Margaret "Maggie" Pollitt: Just staying on it I guess, long as she can. (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1958)

It can be easy to resign yourself to a less than glamorous position based on feedback from the current job market. Resigning yourself and taking a temporary position are two different things. Everyone needs to be able to support him or herself and if the “job of your dreams” is not available, you still need to pay off student loans and put food on the table. The interim “dead period” may be similar to traversing through Dante’s Inferno, but when you survive you will not only have money saved in the bank but also more experience to include on your resume. It should also be a noted that taking an interim position does not mean working in the first position you find, but rather using a little thought in trying to find something half-way decent.

Although having a job upon graduation is a marvelous, marvelous thing it is not an impossible feat. It is also not a requirement to be considered employable. Having a job before graduation allows you the freedom to have a little time for yourself to get your life together and take a breather before you enter the real world. If you are able to get a job before graduation, you go Glen Coco. If not, the apocalypse isn’t around the corner you still have time. Or at least enough time until the next Rapture date is announced… then you’re screwed.

GET LINKED AND STAY LINKED

2011-11-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

Written by Oleg Ignatenko

What is LinkedIn? If you haven’t had a chance to check out this website yet, then you are definitely missing out. LinkedIn is a business related social networking site that was launched 8 years ago. Just imagine if Facebook and CareerBuilder morphed together and formed a site where you can network, but on a professional level. Gone are the pictures of you or your friends partying away and in are the pictures of you in a business attire ready to take on the future. LinkedIn allows you much more than just having the ability to look at an employer’s site and information, it allows you to connect and interact with the employer, former employees, colleagues and other organizations that might be looking for the talent that you may be able to present to them.

Let’s start with the basics. First sign up and fill out the requirements for profile access. You will have the ability to personalize you profile just the way you would want an employer to see it. Then, select the specific skills that you have acquired throughout your life such as typing, sales, knowledge of other languages, etc. This will highlight your resume by showing what kind of experience you possess and give the employer a better perspective as to how you could be a helpful addition to their company. You also want to add your education information such as where you go to college and what you majored in. Last thing you will need to do is list your former occupations, where they were located, your supervisor’s name, and the responsibilities that you were assigned.

Once you have completed all of these steps, you are ready for the fun part. Start browsing the website for new connections. These connections could be people you worked with from the past or possibly people that you are working with at the moment. It is very important that you add people that you know or that have some sort of affiliation with the field that you are pursuing a career in. Be careful not to overdo it. Numbers aren’t everything in this world. For example, just because somebody has 5,000 friends on Facebook, it does not mean that these are their actual friends. In reality they are most likely just a picture and no story. This is why you should be more selective when choosing new connections. Pick people and employers that you know can be utilized for useful information and that will have some sort of impact on your future. Whether they will provide you with some extensive information or possibly a recommendation or maybe even just somebody who can give you advice on how to go about doing something. You should connect with people that are more relevant to your career rather than those who might become more of a distraction. Also, when you request a connection to another member or group on LinkedIn, it is always good to send them a message letting them know who you are and why you want to add them as one of your connections.

Now that you have everything set up all you have to do is explore. Try to log on as much as possible and just browse and find out more about the site itself. Be consistent, do it on a regular daily basis. Even if it’s for 5 to 10 minutes, you should have no problem taking that small amount of time out of your daily schedule. Stay involved in what is happening around you, update your status regularly, check what your connections are discussing or browse for possible information sessions being held by companies or industries that you are interested in. Who knows what you might find in those ten minutes. Just look at it this way, by putting yourself out there you will allow your voice to be heard and your presence to be recognized by others. Remember it’s the same as going to a party, a music concert or some sort of an event. Just by showing up, you are half way there and anything is possible.

For additional information on LinkedIn you can also follow webinars held by Steve Green: the president of NetUpNOW which is a social media company. His info sessions are very helpful and will give you a deeper insight into LinkedIn and all of its possibilities.

Here is a link to Steve Greens LinkedIn account
Click Here

Here is an additional link that will provide information on why you should join LinkedIn and will give you some information on how to use LinkedIn to get ahead.

Trick or Tweet - The Halloween Guide to Twitter

2011-10-28T15:44:00.000-04:00

Written by Carly Smith

October 31 is almost here. So, in the spirit of one of my favorite holidays and my newfound love of Twitter, here are a few tips to keep you safe and successful when you go “Trick or Tweeting” this year.

Yes to outrageous costumes, no to outrageous tweets.

Many people consider Halloween a time to get a little wild. Hey, when else can you walk around pretending you are Lady Gaga, a tanned Jersey Shore cast mate, or a certain embarrassing tweeting politician? Probably not so often… Unfortunately, the same idea does not work as well for your tweets. Shock value and comedy are not always best, especially when your tweets are public. Yes, in case you haven’t been told this a thousand times already, what you do on the internet is public. Not to scare you because it’s Halloween, but what is said over social networks can and has been used against seeking and current employees. This could include you… if you’re not careful. Just like your mom used to inspect all of your candy before you got to dig in after a successful night trick or treating, review what you wrote before you tweet. Is it appropriate, rude, potentially embarrassing? Think: Would I want my future or current boss to see this? If the answer is no, you probably shouldn’t tweet it.

There’s nothing worse than no one “getting” your costume.

This is the worst. You think you have the greatest Halloween costume idea ever, and then no one has any idea what you are. Because I try to get creative and make my own costumes every year, I’ve fallen victim to this time and time again. One year I was a pirate, but everyone thought I was dressed as a biker. Not a successful Halloween for me. Obviously, I need to be clearer on what I am trying to be. With Twitter, you also want your followers to “get” who you are. The simplest way to do this is in your bio. This is the perfect opportunity to let people know who you are, what you’re interested in, and what your goals are. Your bio can be clever, simple, funny, whatever… what’s important here is that it represents who you are. Your tweets should also be representative of how you want to portray yourself. For example, if you are thinking about going into the fashion industry, tweet and re-tweet interesting and relevant information about the field. Post pictures of your favorite trends and styles. This applies to every field. Share what is interesting to you and what might be relevant to others. This way, people will more likely to want to follow you. Who knows? These people might even be so impressed with what you have to share that when the time comes for you to search for a job, they will want to hire you.

Trick or treat at the right houses.

Let’s be honest. There were always those houses you avoided when you were trick or treating. These were the houses where you knew the owner was going to give you a granola bar instead of a chocolate bar or where you secretly thought the owner dressed like a witch was probably a witch in real life. On the other hand, there were also those houses you knew to definitely stop at. These were those neighbors who let you take 2 or 3 candies instead of one. When it comes to Twitter, you also want to make sure you are going to the best houses. What this really means is that on Twitter you have access to a ton of information. Some of it is pointless. Some of it is hilarious. But most importantly, some of it is extremely useful. While you can and should follow your friends and your favorite celebrities and comedians, remember that you should also be following people that will help you stay current in your desired career field. Because I want to work in Higher Education, I currently follow the twitter accounts of HigherEduTalks, HuffPostCollege, and others who tweet information that is relevant to my field. I get to stay updated with what is going on in the world of Higher Education which will make me more successful when I’m in the working world. If you are interested in working for the government, consider following USA.gov. If you want to go into the healthcare industry, why not follow nytimeshealth or WHOnews? You’ll definitely gain a lot of interesting and important knowledge from doing so.

It’s okay to be a witch on Halloween, not on Twitter.

Some of the best Halloween costumes are the scary and evil ones. The witches, zombies, and horror movie villains are always a hit. Still, while it might be fun to dress up like one of these terrifying characters on Halloween, it is not in your best interest to be the witch or villain on someone’s Twitter feed. When you start to tweet a lot about what you are thinking, it sometimes becomes easy to throw in the angry, annoyed, and occasionally rude thoughts that pop up in your head. We all have these thoughts. There is no use trying to hide that fact. However, just because you have a negative thought does not mean you have to share it with the world. It takes one spur of the moment tweet for you to offend someone. Also, if you’re constantly tweeting about the negative, people who follow you might then view you as a negative person. This also may hurt your image during your future career search.

Most importantly, social media, especially Twitter, doesn’t have to be as scary as some of the costumes you’ll see this weekend. Just remember to be yourself, think before you tweet, and have fun!

Toppel wishes you a wonderful and safe Halloween!

The Pan Am Guide to Studying and Working Abroad

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Written By Monica Page

Study abroad is the ability to explore a new culture while still enrolled in school. Although there are plenty of scholarships and grants to aid students “cross the pond,” it can still be a pain for many to afford the room, board and class credits. Waiting until graduation to go abroad can be a little stressful, but for some that is the only way to go without backpacking. Instead of spending all your money on a plane ticket to the “Old World” with no place to live and sleep, it’s best to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can.

Teach English
Although Mandarin and Cantonese may be gaining ground on the international learning front, English still remains the dominant language of business. When going abroad, it can be pretty easy to find a job teaching English, most likely in an Elementary school. There are two ways in which you can do this: you can obtain a certificate to teach English as a Second Language (most likely at a local college) or you can go abroad with various programs sponsored by international governments (the most well known is probably the JET Programme in Japan). The benefit of teaching English is that even if you don’t like children, you can also make money on the side teaching English to business executives and college students. Many of these side jobs involve no more than just speaking with other people in English for an hour.

HireACane Tip

Check out the following programs recruiting through HireACane!
EPIK (located in South Korea) and People Recruit

Go to a Country Where You Like the Language
Just like the stewardesses on Pan Am, knowing the language of the country you want to go to is very beneficial in survival. Since you are not going as part of a study abroad program, it is safe to assume that you have control over your final destination. If you enjoy Italy, most likely you have studied Italian either in a formal setting or as independent study. Knowing the language not only makes you a more attractive candidate, but it is also a way to improve on skills you have already developed. It is totally possible to go overseas without knowing the language and speaking in Lonely Planet phrases and do-it-yourself sign language, but who wants to be the uneducated American?

HireACane Tip

Established by President Kennedy, the PeaceCorps is a way for Americans to travel and give back to countries in need. Not only does it provide an entrance into a new culture and the ability to change someone's life, it also provides tuition remission and a paycheck. Check HireACane for updates regarding the PeaceCorps on campus.

Let the Company Pay For Your Relocation
If teaching English to mini-humans isn’t very attractive to you, there is always the option of working for a company that requires travelling or living abroad. Most likely the company pays for any expenses incurred while travelling and also relocation fees. Just like most things in life, after the “honeymoon” period is over, it is up to you to pay for your housing, food and regular expenses. On the topic of money, it is also intelligent to learn the exchange rate overseas. If you work for an American based company and they tell you your salary in U.S. dollars, make sure you figure out the exchange rate. Just because you are making five figures in the land of the stars and stripes does not mean you can live in the same comfort overseas.

HireACane Tip

Many companies allow for the chance to work and travel abroad. Check companies such as IBM, Proctor & Gamble, U.S. Department of State and CIA, all which recruit through HireACane.

Explore The Region You Move To
If you are going all the way to a new country, you may as well enjoy it. Don’t just go back and forth to work every day. For those who do “Teach English” programs the company usually has outing and gatherings for foreign and local workers. Just like moving from high school to college you will make friends and move away from them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep in contact with them when you move back (if you do). Also, make sure you go off the beaten path when exploring your new country. Don’t be the person who goes to Paris and only visits the Eiffel Tower, because that is a total waste of an experience and people will look at you as if you aren’t worthy of traveling.

Become a Flight Attendant
Really, if you don’t want to teach English and don’t want to work for a company overseas, you can always become a flight attendant. I did use Pan Am as the subject matter for this blog post.

HireACane Tip

Log in to HireACane to access Career Insider by Vault's Guide to access information about flight attendant careers and other traveling based professions. When you are in your HireACane account, scroll down the main page until you see the link to Career Insider.

Going abroad is an opportunity that many people will never have the chance to take advantage of. You can also go when you get older, but who knows what your beliefs and ideas will be then. It’s best to go now while you are thinking about it and, even if it is only for a year or a couple of months, take advantage of what’s available. Plus, we are in a recession and backpacking through Europe is only for people from the ‘90s who had the opportunity to be economically stable and able to take the time off.

Consulting Basics

2011-10-20T15:38:00.003-04:00

By Pallavi Pal

Consultancy is a fancy title for those who are paid to give their advice in their field of specialty. Although consultants exist in all types of industries, from health care to sports, management consultant positions seem to be a hot commodity for the recent graduate. With their high pay, great benefits, constant travel and not to mention the luxurious lifestyle, it is not a surprise that many choose this industry.

Management consultants or business consultants are those paid by large companies to help make strategic decisions for company’s internal processes, such as change in corporate structure, or external processes, such as entrance into different markets or industries. The consulting firms tend to look for analytical thinking and proper application of business processes that have been learned in a classroom environment and applied to real world examples. Also if you have a strong mathematical ability as well as intellectual curiosity, you could be the perfect candidate.

However, being the ideal candidate isn’t the end all be all. Acing the rigorous consulting interview is the end goal in this highly competitive process. Since this type of job is a hot commodity, the hiring process is far more competitive than an average job interview. Usually, the best and brightest find themselves receiving offers from consulting firms and only with a lot of preparation and practice can one navigate through these interviews effectively. Take a look at a few tips below to get yourself started.

Normally, the first round or the beginning of the interviews will be based on a generic interview prototype. Many questions will be asked to get you to talk about yourself and your past experiences. These are behavioral questions and if you follow the link below you can get more help on preparing for this portion of the interview.

The second part is the killer part of the consulting interview process. These will consist of a mix of case and estimation questions. This requires that you prepare yourself well in advance; some even start preparing 6-8 months in advance. Questions such as these will test your level of analytical reasoning, ability to work under pressure, ability to advise others as well as your mathematical capability.

For case questions you will be given a case that consultants typically work on such as a case regarding entrance of company A into a specific industry. You are expected to know how to effectively reason out the situation given a few pieces of information, make accurate assumptions and provide the interviewers with a confident response. They are not necessarily looking for the correct answer but rather a correct manner of approaching the problem and reasoning it out.

Furthermore, the estimation type questions are a little more abstract and require creativity in how you maneuver your response. An example would be “estimate how many shoes are sold in the U.S. each year.” Given no further information or assumptions, you are expected to come up with an answer with a pen and paper. Although daunting at first, practicing these types of questions will make responding a lot easier and pain-free. Usually one would respond by considering the possible assumptions for the question and estimating an answer.

Do you have any further questions? Well, you should! As an ever curious candidate, you should learn everything you can about the industry and prepare yourself fifty times harder than what you did to prepare yourself for the SAT. Learning about the industry and the type of questions is key and the best industry guides can be found on Vault.com. Since Toppel has subscribed on behalf of all UMiami students, the easiest (and cheapest) was to access it would be by logging into HireACane.com. Then once you have logged in scroll down until you see “Career Insider: Vault Career Online Library.” After that click the “Industries” and type in “Consulting” and you will find a multitude of articles.

Moreover, read up on the case interviews, especially, Case in Point by Marc Cosentino should be your guidebook. Also, check out the following links for more guidance!

Case Interviews
Case Interview Frameworks
Nailing that Consulting Interview

Special FourSquare Promotion

2011-10-19T14:36:00.000-04:00

Starting today (October 19th), the Toppel Career Center will be holding two specials connected to FourSquare. The specials are:

When you check-in for the first time, you will unlock a special on your phone which entitles you to a free Toppel gift
When you check-in for a third time, you will receive free business cards

When you unlock the special, make sure you show your phone to the front desk to receive your free gift or fill out the business card order form.

For business cards, your resume must be approved on HireACane and is only available to Undergraduate students (FourSquare will inform you of this when you unlock it).
To participate, search for "Toppel Career Center" in FourSquare or click the icon at the top of this page. Good Luck!

Microsoft Tips to Help you Edit your Document in a Flash

2011-10-14T12:49:00.025-04:00

Priyanka Surio

Ever wonder how to make life easier? Especially with when writing and editing Word documents such as your resume or cover letter? Well worry no more; below the Toppel Peer Advisors have compiled a list of Microsoft shortcuts that are easy to use, simple, and quick to learn. Stop trying to find out where the print preview button is or how to look through your address book in Outlook. Let these shortcuts reduce the time it takes to find things, after all Time = Money.

SHORTCUTS:

Word Documents
CTRL + B = Bold
CTRL+ P = Print
CTRL + V = Paste
CTRL + C = Copy
CTRL + I = Italics
CTRL + S = Save
F12 = Save As Dialog Box
CTRL + F12 = Open Dialog Box
CTRL+ U = Underline
CTRL+ SHIFT + < = Decrease font sizeCTRL+ SHIFT + > = Increase font size
CTRL + X = Cut the selected text or object
CTRL + Z = Undo the last action
CTRL + Y = Redo the last action
CTRL + N = New Document
CTRL + O = Open a document
CTRL + W = Close a document
CTRL + F = Find text, formatting, and special items
CTRL + H = Replace text, specific formatting, and special items
ALT + CTRL + I = Switch in or out Print Preview
F7 = Spell Check
Shift + F3 = Change the Case of letters (all uppercase, lowercase, case sensitive)
CTRL + 1= Single-space lines
CTRL + 2 = Double-space lines
CTRL + 5 = 1.5-line spacing

Outlook Email
ALT + S= Send an email message through Outlook
CTRL + SHIFT + B = Open the Address Book
CTRL + SHIFT + G = Create a message flag (for importance, due date)
ALT + P = Open the Microsoft Outlook Message Options dialog box and check the option of Request a Read receipt so you can see who is actually reading your email and who isn’t

WebPages
CTRL + K= Insert a Hyperlink in a word document
ALT + LEFT ARROW = Go back one page
ALT + RIGHT ARROW = Go forward one page
F5 = Refresh

Check out even MORE shortcuts here:
Microsoft Office Shortcuts

Happy typing!

Why Attend a Conference?

2011-10-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

Written by Marlo Wyant

A professional conference may sound like it is out of reach for undergraduate students, due to expense, distance, or registration costs. However, conferences can present both valuable networking opportunities and offer insight into the needs of a particular industry to all levels of education, be it undergraduate or post-doctoral.

Conferences are not as costly for students as you may think. Most professional organizations have special student or collegiate registration prices that are far lower than the professional rate. For example the Society of Women Engineers National Conference registration for student is discounted by 81% in comparison with the professional registration fee. The American Psychological Association Convention also offers a 76% discount to collegiate members. There are dozens of other professional organizations that also offer similar discounts to their student members. Additionally, campus organizations may also provide subsidies for their students to attend conferences.

If you are interested or curious in finding organizations and conferences related to your field of study, you can check out http://www.allconferences.com/.

Another benefit of these national conferences is that they often have career fairs of grand proportions. For example, the Society of Women Engineers National conference hosts a career fair of 240 companies and organizations focused on the field of engineering. Other conferences may also have such specialized career fairs. Career fairs provide excellent opportunities for job seekers to learn about new companies in a face-to-face setting, ultimately increasing the chances of finding a good fit for employment.

Some conferences focus primarily on the technical aspects of a particular industry, rather than pure career development. If this is the case, there are still numerous benefits for even inexperienced attendees. There are opportunities to network with professionals in the industry. Often times there are trade shows associated with the convention where different companies will showcase their products. The 2011 American Wind Energy Association Conference recently had over 1,200 booths. Although these events do not directly advertise available jobs, it allows prospective candidates to meet employees of those companies.

The second benefit of attending the conventions include the seminars and workshops. These sessions often provide insight into new trends in the industry. Learning about emerging technologies or methods in a specific field can help young professionals to find their career path and located where new opportunities may lie.

I encourage you—be you Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Grad Student, or Young Professional—to attend any professional conference related to your field. You just might happen upon opportunities that you would not expect.

Create The Ultimate Personal Statement: Modern Family Style

2011-09-27T14:42:00.018-04:00

Written by Thaimi Fina

So if you’re like me, you couldn’t help but let out an overly enthusiastic girlish squeal last Wednesday during the Season 3 premiere of everyone’s favorite dysfunctional bunch: Modern Family. Whether you’re tuning in just to check out what hilarious fight Cam and Mitchell are a-brewing, or what Colombian miscommunications Gloria’s gotten herself into again, you always manage to pick up some witty life lessons along the way. Now what if I told you that your favorite Modern Family characters could also offer you some valuable advice about writing the most effective personal statement for graduate school? Skeptical? Understandably so. But, have the Toppel Peers ever steered you wrong before??? (Quick: The answer is no.) Follow along as we reminisce about our favorite Modern Family quotes, while learning how they could help you successfully stand out in a pool of graduate school applicants.

PHIL DUNPHY: I'm the cool dad. That's my thang. I'm hip. I surf the Web. I text. LOL: laughing out loud. OMG: Oh my God. WTF: Why the face? Um you know, I know all the dances to High School Musical so…

Now there’s no denying that Phil is easily the most unintentionally hilarious dad on the block… but the cool dad? Let’s not get crazy. Phil is constantly trying to prove to his wife, children, and us viewers that he’s hip and “in the know.” But even all the High School Musical dance moves in the world couldn’t convince Alex and Haley that their dad is indeed “the cool dad.” How does this fit in with the dreaded essay that determines the next 2-5 years of your life, you say? Excellent question! Avoid writing what you think admissions committees want to hear, and instead write what comes natural to you. Admissions committee members have heard it all before and can spot a cliché a million miles away. For instance, if you’re applying to med school avoid stating that you want to become a doctor in order to “help people and save lives.” A basic rule of thumb I always communicate to students is: if you think it’ll be in someone else’s personal statement too, get rid of it. Be genuine and original. Let the admissions committee members get to know the real you, not the “OMG, LOL, Why The Face” you.

And on that note…

CAMERON TUCKER: We’re a very traditional family.
MITCHELL PRITCHETT: That’s what the disabled lesbian shaman who blessed Lily’s room said, too.

Were you born into an adopted family of loving gay parents and instantly blessed by a “disabled lesbian shaman?” Awesome. Don’t be afraid to stress what makes you unique! Admissions committees get tired of hearing the same old stories over and over again. Capture their interest by letting them see who you are, what your story is, where you’re coming from, and what makes you unique. (Keep in mind that what makes you unique doesn’t have to be tied to culture or upbringing, it could be a unique volunteer experience, work experience, or educational background that sets you apart). Have there been any particularly meaningful experiences in your life that have significantly shaped who you are or the career you want to pursue? Have you or someone close to you gone through an experience that few others have the chance to share? Write about it! Don’t let your personal statement read like a resume. Instead, color it with descriptive narratives that enable admissions committees to understand your story and discover the unique perspective you bring to the table.

PHIL DUNPHY: You can insult a lot of things about me - my hair, my voice, my balance-board exercises - but don't insult my selling. That crosses a line. What line? Oh, you don't see it? That's because I just sold it!

Follow Phil’s example and don’t be afraid to highlight your accomplishments. This is your time to focus on you: what you’ve learned, the skills you’ve acquired, and the characteristics you possess that make you an excellent candidate for a particular graduate program. Don’t just describe how your interest in a specific career or field was piqued. Emphasize significant experiences and accomplishments that have cemented your interest in the field and prepared you to be successful in graduate school and in your profession of choice. For medical school, these accomplishments might include acquiring unique research experiences, learning to build rapport with diverse patients through community service, and developing foreign language proficiency. For law school, these accomplishments might include earning public speaking awards, honing critical thinking abilities through research, and publications demonstrating strong written communication skills. No matter what the program, think of the skills that are necessary to be successful in that field and demonstrate these abilities by incorporating specific and compelling examples in your essay. In other words, bring out your inner Phil Dunphy and don’t be afraid to sell yourself as a competitive candidate to admissions committees.

GLORIA: He scared the baby cheeses out of me!

Baby Cheeses Clip

----------------------------------------------------------
HALEY: If you do this you'll be a social piranha.
ALEX: Yes, I'll be an Amazonian carnivorous fish.

Gloria and Haley are notorious for their hilarious communication blunders. While these make for great television, there is no room for them in your personal statement. And that’s where Toppel and The Writing Center come in handy. Stop by during walk-in hours anytime Monday-Thursday 10:00 am-4:30 pm for an individualized critique of your personal statement to ensure that there are no typos or grammatical errors in your document. The Writing Center can also help you to organize your thoughts and improve your transitions between ideas in your personal statement. Take advantage of these resources so that admissions committees can focus on the amazing content you’ve laid out for them, rather than fall out of their chair laughing at your baby cheeses reference.

Finally…

PHIL DUNPHY: Cheerleading in my college was cool. The football players were so jealous, they wouldn’t even let me and my buddies, Trevor, Scotty, and Ling, go to their parties.

Turn everything into a positive! Football players didn’t invite you to their parties? It’s obviously because male cheerleaders have reached an intimidating level of cool! Even the most negative of experiences can result in growth, wisdom, and insight. If you choose to discuss difficult life circumstances in your personal statement, avoid harping on the negative. Always demonstrate what you learned from these experiences and how they made you stronger, more passionate, or how they taught you specific skills that will help you succeed in your profession. Also, avoid blaming others for past mistakes or challenges. For instance, don’t attribute your C in biology to your “terrible professor.” Take ownership of your mistakes; demonstrate what you learned from those experiences and how you are putting that knowledge into practice to avoid repeating the same mistakes again. Admissions committees are looking for maturity, ability to overcome obstacles, and strength of character. Follow Phil’s glass-half-full attitude and you will be sure to market yourself in the best possible light.

Not sure if you’re on the right track? Check out our Personal Statement Guide. Once you’ve created a rough draft, stop by The Toppel Career Center during walk-in hours (M-TH 10-4:30) to review your personal statement with a Graduate Assistant.

A Deadly Case of SENIORITIS

2011-09-27T09:54:00.035-04:00

Curing and Preventing Senioritis

By Priyanka Surio

Everyone gets it at one point in their lives and it can be very very contagious! All of us can admit to being exposed in high school when we got our acceptance letters to college and felt that we needn’t jump over mountains and under hoops to study for exams or work on projects. But according to CollegeBoard and USA Today, what is becoming more common as a result of this attitude is the alarming fact that “every year colleges rescind offers of admission, put students on academic probation, or alter financial aid packages as a result of "senioritis." Now the vicious cycle threatens to continue for us seniors or those graduating from Undergraduate or Graduate school.

Symptoms
• Laziness
• Procrastination
• Excuses
• Lack of interest in all things school related
• Desire to just have fun
• Lack of seriousness
• Frustration and stress

Outcomes
• Can lead to plummeting grades
• Can lead to getting fired from jobs
• Can be chronic and deadly to your career goals

THE CURE!

There is indeed a very effective cure and prevention steps to make sure you don’t fall susceptible to this disease.

• Don’t allow yourself to get in the mindset that you are done and your responsibilities don’t matter, because even in the real world after you graduate, your responsibilities only increase.
• Do not get peer pressured into going out every night. Demonstrate self-control. You can do work Sunday - Thursday and have the last two days to yourself as a reward for working hard throughout the week.
• Do not let things slide and pile up. Time management is not for nerds only! Keep a calendar of activities and a list of things to do, and cross off the list each time you complete something. Even schedule some “me” time in there. You’ll feel more organized, stay on track, more accomplished, and more deserving of your breaks.
• Don’t just coast by with easy classes. By no means do we recommend you enroll in the hardest finance or science class, but enrolling in courses that keep your interest or that will be beneficial to you in the future, whether in graduate school or the workforce, will help to keep your attention. For example, if you are planning on working for ESPN after college as a news writer it might not hurt to take a few communication classes to learn the graphics and technical side of new television. Or let’s say you are aspiring to become a lawyer or a doctor, business classes may not hurt especially if you plan on owning your own practice at some point. These classes will pique your interest especially since they are not something you are familiar with and can just rely on prior knowledge for.
• Don’t burn bridges and don’t get frustrated. Gloria Varley an assistant director of health at the University of Georgia Health Center says, “[Senioritis] is several things – perhaps frustration, you’re done with [school] and want to move on”. A common onset to senioritis is this feeling that we can’t improve our situation or outcome, so we act apathetic or uncaring towards our academics, yearning to move on. One bad grade or an unfortunate experience with a teacher shouldn’t make or break your academic career. The choice is up to you on whether you improve your situation and can make something better out of it.
• School is your JOB! Remember, being a student is an occupation so treat it as such. Make an effort to prepare ahead for classes and be on time. In the real world, unprepared and late workers get fired, so get used to building good habits early on and don’t allow yourself to slack off even in that last semester because it is so hard to climb back up the hill once you’ve rolled down!
• Don’t STRESS! You will manage to get more done if you relax and take it one step, one day at a time. Don’t eat with your eyes and overload your plate full of things you won’t be able to complete. If you feel as if you can’t handle everything or are dealing with more than you can chew, the Counseling Center can help you manage your stress. They are your trustworthy resource in stressful times. The ACAR and Ombudsperson is also here as a resource to listen to your troubles while providing useful tips for future action.

Well what if I’m not going to school afterwards?

The worst thing about this deadly disease is its transmissibility. Senioritis can spread to the job search, securing an internship or applying for that entry level position and following through with employers. Ways to prevent this from occurring are to start EARLY!

Maybe you are confused about where to begin. The Toppel Career Center should always be your go to place to begin your first steps into a successful career. What we recommend for a successful job search:

• Pinpoint – What do you want to do? Take a Career/Personality test to determine your specific field
• Learn – how to write a stellar resume, how to win employers over with a cover letter, and how to knock your interview out of the park, by coming to our workshops or stopping by Walk in Advising hours Monday- Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Network – with Networking and Career Events, Information Sessions, Career Fairs, On Campus Recruiting
• Search – for jobs in specific industries and Schedule to meet with our advisors to determine which job is a good fit for you. Also search for employers and recruiters who are part of that company so you can speak with them about their experiences. It’s your turn to conduct the interview in order to find out if this is the potential career you wish to build for yourself.
• Follow up – Don’t just apply and wait twiddling your thumbs. Follow up with a cover letter and/or email to the HR department. If you can, call and let them know you applied, and if you still haven’t heard back after a week or two, check the status of your application.

Opening Doors to Success

2011-09-19T16:33:00.000-04:00

by Pallavi Pal

“It’s not about you; it’s about those who go before you and those who come after.”

This was our daily mantra for the twelve week internship program that I took part in this past summer. Being a part of SEO, a well-respected and highly esteemed internship program, was an experience that I wasn’t sure if I would be ready for.

Let’s back track to Fall 2010. At that time Toppel hosted an SEO recruiter for the first time. One of the advisors kept encouraging me to attend the information session; however, I felt that I was under qualified. After a few weeks, I changed my mind and thought it wouldn’t hurt to apply. So apply I did.

Three interviews and many stressful weeks later, I received a congratulatory letter from SEO. I was thrilled and, honestly, quite shocked. Reading about their low acceptance rate (3% this past summer) and hearing about the prestige these three letters, SEO, is associated with made me feel uncertain as to whether or not I really was qualified for the position.

Amongst their many partners, I was given the opportunity to intern at Moody’s Corporation, the credit-rating agency. After getting my acceptance into Moody’s, I had to complete eight more interviews for placement within Moody’s. Not only were the eight interviews mandatory, but also the several online training sessions that in total equaled around fifty hours prior to the start of the internship were necessary to complete.

After jumping through so many hoops, I was nervous and scared to start my internship program. By no means was the in-person training a walk in the park, but I came to realize how much SEO has invested in me and how much I was receiving from the program. The internship not only improved my professional persona but also helped me mature and grow as a person. There was a renewed sense of self-motivation and confidence that I garnered through the internship experience.

Without SEO I would not have received all the tools needed to succeed in the Moody’s internship that I was placed in and I would not have been able to secure a job offer in this uncertain economy. I have much to be grateful for and the quote still rings in my ears: “It’s not about you; it’s about those who go before you and those who come after.”

It really isn’t about me but rather all those who have come before me to ensure that the program grows and all those that I help to come after me. This was a once in a life-time opportunity and I have SEO to thank for believing in me enough to give me a chance.

For those of you interested, there are two upcoming information sessions to meet the SEO recruiter and learn more about the internship process: Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 pm in the UC Flamingo Ballroom as well as Wednesday, September 21 at 3:00 pm in the Toppel Library. We hope to see you there!

Good Things Come to Those Who Apply

2011-09-12T17:07:00.001-04:00

Written By Marlo Wyant

Everyone has been discouraged by an application at some point in their lives. Often times it is far too easy to fall into the mindset of “I’ll never get it anyway, so why should I bother taking the time to apply?” It is true that many applications may seem daunting and that the prospect of being selected seems almost far-fetched. However, the odds of the application coming to fruition may not be as unlikely as you think. This past year, I have learned, first-hand, the value of taking the time to apply for unlikely awards and contests.

It started when one of the career advisers at the University of Miami Toppel Career Center sent me an encouraging e-mail to apply to be the next “Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year,” sponsored by Vestas, and Universum. I thought that, while flattering to be considered to apply, I would never win an award like that on a national scale. I was not yet convinced that I should apply. However, after quite a bit of nagging from my adviser, I gave in and submitted the requisite 600-word cover letter accompanied by my resume. Upon application, I got an automatically-generated confirmation e-mail and assumed I would never hear back.

Before I get into what happened in the months following the student of the year application, I will now segue into what turned into unlikely application number two.

Approximately three weeks after I submitted the Student of the Year application, I received another e-mail from a Universum employee encouraging me to enter a new contest called Go Green in the City. Upon further reading, I learned that Go Green in the City is an international business case competition for engineering and business university students to present energy efficient implementation plans for their respective cities. The participating countries were Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The prize: an all-expenses paid trip to Paris, France.

The application seemed simple enough: the team members’ resumes paired with either a 300-word summary or a 60-second video of what the green idea is. The top 100 teams would be selected to work in greater detail on the project and write a longer paper. Finally, if the team made it to the top 25 in the final round of the competition, they would be sent to Paris, France to present the ideas to upper management of Schneider Electric. The only catch with the application was that the deadline was just one week away from notification e-mail. Despite, the short time frame, I managed to secure a teammate and the two of us filmed our 60-second video on Key Biscayne and edited it in a single day.

One month later, my teammate and I learned that we had been selected as one of the top 100 teams internationally. I was ecstatic. This meant that my teammate and I were one step closer to making it to Paris! As part of the second round of the competition, we were assigned a Schneider Electric mentor in the United Arab Emirates to assist us in the preparation of the report. Our mentor met with us via teleconferencing and sometimes stayed up as late as midnight in her time zone to give us guidance on improving our application.

After several weeks of continuous improvement, my teammate and I had our polished version of the report and submitted it to the online application.

The spring semester progressed into its end with the advent of finals week. I had just walked out of my last final exam for the semester and saw that I had missed a call from an unknown New York number and had a voicemail. When I listened to what the mysterious caller had to say, I found out that I had been selected to be the Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year. Universum wanted to fly me to New York in two days time to personally accept the award at the Universum Awards hosted at the New York Times building in Manhattan. The news left me in absolute shock. I had never won any sort of award before, unless you count the certificate they give you for making Dean’s list every year. I then thought about it and realized that I had not exactly applied for too much before, either. The award taught me, first-hand, the benefits of applying for contests and awards.

As if the day could not get any better, I received another e-mail later that afternoon informing my Go Green in the City teammate and I that we had been chosen to present our green idea to the Schneider Electric executives in Paris, France as one of the top 25 teams in the world! It was a surreal day for me. I could not believe that I (and my teammate) had won two contests in a single day.

The award for the student of the year resulted in additional traveling opportunities. Not only did I get to receive the award in front of dozens of human resources professionals from companies from around the country, but there was an additional perk to be awarded. The prize was a trip to Denmark to visit the Research and Development Technology Center for Vestas Wind. This center is the largest wind turbine test facility in the world. I traveled in August 2011 and was able to meet with wind turbine engineers and tour the facility. In addition to the visit to the technology center, I was able to have a great time touring the cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark and Oslo, Norway.

Marlo Wyant with her parents after accepting the Vestas Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year Award

The trip to Paris, France also went very well. The Go Green in the City event allowed my teammate and I to network with students and professionals from 12 different countries, present our ideas to a formal executive panel, interview on an international level for an internship at Schneider Electric, and attend informative workshops on innovation, diversity, and globalization. Additionally, my teammate and I were also able to sightsee in Paris and visit several iconic attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Seine River. The trip did not cost us a cent.

Daniel Castillo and Marlo Wyant after presenting at Go Green in the City to Schneider Electric in Paris, France

What can you learn from my experiences? If you see an award or competition that you may qualify for, you should always take the time to apply for it. You never know—it may result in two free trips to Europe or, at least, something worthwhile.

Marlo Wyant enjoying the scenery of Paris, France

For more information on go Green in the City Click Here.

For more information on the Student of the Year Click Here

TOPPEL IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!

2011-09-09T16:31:00.000-04:00

TOPPEL IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!

By Pallavi Pal

“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It’s Toppel!” Are you a senior and you’re looking for a job? Worried about how to get a job in this economy?

Fear not, Toppel is here to save the day! With the start of the school year, Toppel has been in full-gear to help students find jobs in this struggling economy.

We have a variety of Information Sessions held by the employers themselves so you can get a chance to hear firsthand about the opportunities they have in store for you. These sessions are more than just a way for you to learn about the company of your dreams but also for you to speak to the recruiter one-on-one and have them learn more about you as a candidate in a less formal setting.

Some of the employers that we have coming out for information sessions are listed below. Make sure to RSVP on HireACane.com to save a spot for yourself! We hope to see you at these events!

Information Session Schedule
Organization Name, Start Date/Time, Location

CITIGROUP, Sep 13, 3:00 pm, Toppel Library

MICROSOFT CORPORATION, Sep 14, 5:00 pm, College of Engineering, MEA 202

NIELSEN, Sep 14, 6:30 pm, Toppel Library

APPLE, INC., Sep 15, 6:30 pm, Toppel Library

SEO (SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY), Sep 20, 6:30 pm, UC Flamingo Ballroom

SEO (SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY), Sep 21, 3:00 pm, Toppel Library

For a complete list, please click here.

Kick Off the Year Right!

2011-09-06T17:01:00.000-04:00

Written By Pallavi Pal

Are you a senior looking for post-grad opportunities? Or a student interested in graduate school? Look no further! The Toppel Career Center has the answers you are looking for.

In the upcoming weeks we have several events for students to network with employers and help students decide the next major steps to take for their future. Now is the time to explore your options through Toppel’s Career Kick Off.

Start the Career Kick Off with EPIC on Wednesday, Sept 7 where you can sit down with the recruiter of your choice prior to the career fair to have them critique your resume or interview style. You can get advice directly from the employer so you know what you are doing well and what you can improve on.

On Thursday, Sept 8 and Friday, Sept 9 the Pre- Medical Mock Interview Program will be held to help students navigate the medical school interview process. Students should prepare for a specific medical school and will be given advice on their interview strengths and areas for improvement.

For all those who need help with their resume or would like a quick read through before the Career Expo, Resumania on Monday, Sept 12 will be the best way. Come to Toppel and bring a hard copy of your resume to the event!

The Opening Doors Networking Event on Tuesday, Sept 13 is a great way for students to connect with recruiters in a relaxed setting before the Career Expo. It is a chance to meet with them before the hundreds of other UM students speak to them at the Career Expo!

Finally our Career Kick Off ends with our long awaited Fall Career Expo where many recruiters and employers will be coming out to meet specifically with UMiami students. On Wednesday, Sept 14 at the Bank United Center, the Fall Career Expo will be a chance for students to learn about the job opportunities at the company of their dreams and learn about the expectations of the position.

Start the year off right not only with your books and pencils, but also with the skills you need to land your dream job! Come out to these events to help you prepare to network, interview, and meet employers.

How to Weather the Storm like a Hurricane

2011-08-26T15:20:00.002-04:00

Welcome Back Hurricanes!
By: Priyanka Surio

With Irene nearby, we are all holding on to our seats and crossing our fingers that Miami can weather the storm, or that it miraculously passes us by. However, the school year is another hurricane altogether and something we cannot avoid. Therefore, the Toppel Peer Advisors have decided to come up with a few things that will help you this year, academically, professionally, and mentally!

- Plan Ahead in all cases (if you want an internship for the spring or summer, look now.
- Be Organized - Make a list of dates of when you have important projects and tests due so you know what to prioritize and when to work on them
- Leave five to ten minutes earlier than the time you designated to be somewhere (you never know what can happen or what storms may come upon you)
- Try something new! This old adage can go a long way towards making this a great year vs. just an okay year. So join a club, be a leader, get an internship, learn a language, BE PROACTIVE.

Toppel featured in The Miami Hurricane!

2011-07-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

CONQUER CAREER FEARS
Posted by Alysha Khan on The Miami Hurricane

Conquer career fears with help from the Toppel Career Center.

The Toppel Career Center is a campus resource that aids student and alumni in developing career skills that will allow them to pursue a successful career in the industry of their choosing.

“We empower students to choose a major and we help connect students to employers and alumni in order to help them find internships and jobs,” said Christian Garcia, the director of Toppel. “Ultimately, we help students take control of their careers.”

For students facing the difficult choice of declaring a major, Toppel offers career aptitude tests, individual career advising, and programs on different industries and companies.

A staff of advisors is also available to provide students with guidance on a variety of topics, including major choice, career decisions, and job preparations.

Budding entrepreneurs can launch their own businesses through the Launch Pad, an on-campus entrepreneurship resource center.

Online, students can find Toppel on numerous social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube.

The Toppel Peers Blog, which is written and developed by students for students, features posts every week by different bloggers with a unique approach. Topics such as “Interview Fight Club” uses the seven rules of “Fight Club” to teach you better interview skills.

“It’s like an outreach for students. If they don’t come into Toppel, they can go online,” said Monica Page, one of Toppel’s peer bloggers.

Megan Garber, assistant director of career development and outreach, said that the blog is a great way to attract reluctant students.

“We wanted it to be more appealing to students, to give it more of a student perspective since we know that students have different learning styles, and this is just another way for students to get information from the career center,” Garber said.

The bloggers have found that working with Toppel has helped them to improve their own skills.

“The advisors help you one on one with your resume, they can help you pinpoint what you want to do,” Page said. “Working at Toppel has helped me zone in on what I want to do and how to go about achieving that goal.”

The Toppel Career Center has also been rated by students as one of the best career centers among similar private institutions in the country by the Universum’s Student Survey.

For more information, check us out online at HireACane.com or visit the Toppel Peers blog at toppelpeers.blogspot.com.

HEAT up your Career with a Life in Sports

2011-06-22T15:26:00.000-04:00

By Steven Glasser, BBA '10, former Peer Advisor

Just because you can’t play with the pros doesn’t mean you can’t work with them. Sport, like any other industry, is a business and is populated more by people off the field than on it. While ample opportunities are available, it remains one of the most challenging fields to break into. With this in mind here are some tips that can help turn your workplace dream into a reality.

1. Practice Makes Perfect – Translation: Experience is everything
If you are serious about a potential career in sport, no matter what medium -- whether it be broadcasting, journalism, management, coaching etc. – it is essential that you have sport related experience on your resume. No matter how small a role you play in an event or with a team it will continue to add to your credibility. Having just been a part of such an event will make you more desirable to potential employers. Opportunities are available in the form of internships, volunteer work and part time jobs. However, most of the positions are likely unpaid so that is something to account for. Still, these experiences go a long way towards helping you feel more comfortable around the industry. It will also prepare you for what can be an extremely stressful day-to-day environment. Ultimately, having this experience will help you be ready to pitch in right away when you do finally land that job.

2. Work on All Parts of Your Game – Translation: Diversify your skills
The importance of experience cannot be stressed enough, especially if this is a field you would like to pursue professionally. However, the biggest trap one can set is to develop only one skill. Part of getting the experience is not only learning what you would be doing, but also learning what everyone around you is working on and how he or she came to grow into that role. This can serve two-fold, giving you the opportunity to learn other parts of the sport field you are looking to get into and leading to potential career opportunities that you had not previously considered. The goal though is to diversify your skills to make yourself an increasingly marketable candidate to potential employers.

3. Take Advantage of Learning Opportunities – Translation: Get Educated
With the industry continuing to grow, more and more opportunities are becoming available in areas that didn’t exist even five years ago. While a Bachelor’s degree is now a mere formality to any position off the courts, those with graduate degrees are opening themselves up for further advancement opportunities. Getting your MBA or going to Law School can help to diversify you from other candidates and can open doors to management positions.

4. Call For The Ball – Translation: Focus on Networking
Building and using your contacts can go a long way towards helping you build a career in sports. No matter where you meet someone or what he or she does, it is of vital importance to exchange contact information. Building your network can help open you to opportunities in the industry that are not listed online or in publications such as Sports Business Journal . If you don’t know people who are in the industry don’t be afraid to reach out. Often on teams/leagues/companies websites there are e-mail addresses for notable employees in various departments. People in the industry are often very willing – and excited – to help out potential newcomers who show a passion for the arena and a true willingness to learn. It is imperative not just to build your list of contacts but also to put them to use. Make sure you keep people informed of what you are doing and check in to learn about new ventures they are currently involved in because you never know when an opportunity will arise.

5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Translation: Make yourself teachable
The sport industry is highly demanding and can be highly stressful. No matter what area of the field you may find yourself in you will always be subject to criticism. What separates the lifers from those who spend a short time in the industry is the ability to handle the criticism and turn it into teachable moments. In this field you will often make mistakes – some larger than others – and what you learn from these mistake usually proves to be more important than the mistake itself. If you can prove to those around you, the people who have carved out a niche in the industry, that you can handle yourself professionally in these moments and learn and improve from them, it will demonstrate the maturity needed to survive in the field. Never be afraid to ask questions, as people are always looking to teach and help out newcomers; and if you prove to be an adept student they will often go out of their way to help you start out your career.

Career Advisors Having Fun?

2011-06-21T11:15:00.002-04:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Don't Get Beat: Experience Virtual Career Fair in Solo High Definition

2011-06-16T17:52:00.001-04:00

Written by Priyanka Surio

Whether you own a pair of Dr. Dre's HD Solo beats or not, the Virtual Career Fair is a newly designed Career Fair option for students who either missed the annual career fair in the fall, or who wish to continue the job search hunt over the summer.

Employers are recruiting for full-time and internship positions, and they represent a variety of industries, including accounting, retain, biomedical, government, sports, education, construction, engineering, and insurance.

This virtual fair gives you all the perks you would normally get with a career fair with the minor spin of taking place over the internet in your own personal area where you can either be solo or with a group of friends. The convenience afforded with an online career fair is the true definition of High Definition.

The fair is going on now until July 15. Students and alumni can participate by logging into CaneZone There you will see the companies that are recruiting. Click on the company you are interested in and you will see their profile and you will also find the positions they are recruiting for and their chat schedule. Click here or login to CaneZone for more info!

Slumdog Millionaire your way to Scholarships

2011-06-09T14:02:00.002-04:00

Priyanka Surio

Jai Ho! So you want to be a millionaire? Answer this question and you could be well on your way! Which of the following will help you obtain free money?
A) Searching for Scholarships
B) Having a good essay that is proofread at least ten times (exaggerated, not really)
C) Making sure your resume is on point (sharper than a needle)
D) All of the Above
Did you choose D? That is the correct answer!

Now let’s explain why?

Searching for scholarships is the most obvious pathway towards free money. But what is scam and what is legit? This is where a second pair of expert eyes can help you discern whether your searches are effective or not. Make sure to always ask someone else (preferably an advisor or scholarship advisor) whether the scholarship you are applying for is a legitimate one.

Some sites and offices you definitely want to look to for scholarship money are:

• Anything funded by the government, to qualify always fill out the FAFSA on time
• Grants
• Scholarships funded for by private organizations, if you volunteer with an organization or a part of a national service, honor, or social organization you may want to see if they offer scholarships
• Fellowships
• Paid research assistantships, many Universities offer these for doctoral and master's graduate students
• Fastweb
• Ask advisors in the Office of Prestigious Awards & Fellowships and the Honors Program to point you in the right direction

It helps to search for something specific that is tailored to your needs because that increases the chances of you obtaining the scholarship.

The word on the street is…the right word. Words can mean everything, especially when you are trying to convince a group of arrogant, ruthless judges that you are the “catch” of the day.
Make sure you are original with your work. Go to the Writing Center, where professors and graduate students can help you by proofreading your essay. You must be the one to start it off though, because essentially you want your essay to be a true reflection of yourself.

Would you ever want to watch a fitness commercial that didn’t have attractive and fit people on it? No, because then you wouldn’t believe the product they were selling. Your resume is your advertisement; a one page billboard of yourself to the potential scholarship committee. This is where they see all the perfections and amazing skills you have to offer. Thus, your resume should be flawless with regards to presentation regardless of what experiences you have, because there is always a way to market every experience in a meaningful yet effective manner. Let Toppel be your personal designer and help shape the edges just right while capturing you at your best angle. Refer to our resume guides and come in for walk in advising for a critique of your resume, cover letter, or essay.

A personal success story exemplifies what one can obtain as a result of employing these methods faithfully. I received the title of Benjamin A Gilman International Scholar a few weeks ago and have my entire study abroad trip paid for by the US Department of State. I will be able to take my classes, enjoy cultural excursions and have meals, boarding, and flights taken care of as a result; therefore, I almost feel as if I have won millions. The treasure here is the ability to explore the other half of my heritage amidst learning about a new culture.

All in all, if you follow the methods outlined for you, then you have put together all the ingredients needed for the application to scholarships.
You need to stay organized and most importantly FOLLOW UP! Like Jamal Malik do not give up. Like him, you have nothing to lose, only to gain. Whether it is experience with applying, creating a resume, writing good essays, conducting professional interviews, or simply knowing random facts that have no practical application for future feature in a reality TV show that will grant you millions, you can use a growth in professional development and hopefully funding.

The Office Shows You How to Make The Most of Your Internship

2011-05-26T10:05:00.011-04:00

By Thaimi Fina

Finally, summer is here! And lucky for you, you’ve just landed a great summer internship! You enrolled in the Toppel Internship Program (TIP) and you’ll be starting your internship in the upcoming weeks. Congrats on not spending the whole summer on your parents’ couch mooching off their free food and laundry service. We’re all very proud. So you’ve secured your internship, now what? Let us here at Toppel (with the help of my favorite TV show ‘The Office’) show you how to make the most of your summer internship experience.

Michael Scott:

What is the single most important thing for a company? Is it the building? Is it the stock? Is it the turnover? It's the people. The PEOPLE. My proudest moment here wasn't when I increased profits by 17%, or cut expenditure without losing a single member of staff. No, no, no, no. It was a young Guatemalan guy, first job in the country, hardly spoke a word of English, but he came to me and he went "Mr. Scott, will you be the Godfather to my child?" Wow… WOW!... Didn't work out in the end. We had to let him go. He sucked.

Take some notes from everyone’s favorite boss, Mr. Michael Scott. At the end of the day, the work that you do is just as important as the connections you make. Go out of your way to get to know your co-workers. Ask them how their weekend was, find out how they got started in the company, ask them about their family and kids (please verify that they have children before you go trying this one or it might lead to some awkward conversations). At the end of your internship, your colleagues may not remember the day-to-day tasks you completed, but they will definitely remember that you took the time to ask them how they were doing and really got to know them. These connections will prove invaluable to you in the future, as networking is the number one way to increase your chances of securing your next job or internship.

Michael Scott:

You may look around, and see two groups here. White collar, blue collar. But I don't see it that way. You know why not? Because I am collar-blind.

Following that same line of thought, be a positive face in the office regardless of whom you’re interacting with – be it upper management or custodial staff. You want to make sure that any time anyone brings your name up in the office, nothing but great things are said about your positive attitude and willingness to help any staff in need. By interacting positively with everyone in the office (A.K.A. remaining “collar-blind”), you can be certain that the Michael Scott of your office will provide an excellent reference to your next employer.

Michael Scott:

I'm friends with everybody in this office. We're all best friends. I love everybody here. But sometimes your best friends start coming into work late and start having dentist appointments that aren't dentist appointments, and that is when it's nice to let them know that you could beat them up.

Ok, so chances are your boss won’t try to beat you up. But, Michael’s got a point. Even if your internship has an office culture as casual as Michael’s branch, don’t let your professionalism start to slip. It is important to make the best possible impression throughout your entire internship, because you never know what job opportunities might be around the corner. It is not uncommon for interns to be offered continued internships or job opportunities following their summer internship. But if nothing else, your consistent professionalism will ensure that your boss will have nothing but outstanding things to say about you to your next employer. Also, if you distinguish yourself as a reliable and hard-working intern, your colleagues will be more likely to network with you in the future and to recommend you for relevant positions available. Therefore, on your first day of internship, make sure that you ask your supervisor about proper protocol for calling in sick, emergencies, doctor’s appointments, and lunch breaks. This way, when something unexpected comes up, you’ll already know the best and most professional way to handle the situation with your supervisor.

Jim Halpert:

Right now, this is a job. If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train.

A little dramatic? Maybe. But this quote exemplifies why internships are so incredibly valuable. In life, you don’t get many opportunities to try on different career options with minimal commitment, but an internship provides you just that! It lets you try on a career for a few months and decide “Oh my god I’m living the dream!” or “Ok I’d rather jump in front of a train than pursue this any longer.” Make the most of your internship by really immersing yourself in that field and figuring out whether or not it is the right fit for your professional goals. As you’re progressing through your internship, don’t be afraid to ask for work outside of your basic requirements. If there is a project that you’d really like to be a part of, ask! A good supervisor will welcome an intern’s willingness to become more involved in the company and will facilitate this experience. That is the main reason that the Toppel Internship Program requires students to meet with their supervisor at the beginning of their internship and discuss their goals (both personal and professional) for their internship experience. Your internship should give you the opportunity to explore various aspects of a particular field or position so that you can test the waters before you commit to pursuing a career. That way, you won’t end up like Jim – stuck in a mindless career and unhappy.

I’ll use Dwight Shrute to illustrate my final and most important point of all.

Don’t be the creepy guy in the office.

P.S. Unsure of how to search for a summer internship? It’s not too late! Click here to check out Megan’s post and discover where to find your next summer internship.

Summer Internships are Still Available!

2011-05-18T11:53:00.000-04:00

By Megan Garber

It is not too late to find an internship for the summer!! If you don’t have your summer plans set in stone yet, don’t despair. Last week alone there were over 50 new internships posted to CaneZone and employers with opportunities include VISA, Bacardi, Bloomberg, Fontainebleau, HBO Latin America Group, and the Florida Marlins, just to name a few!

Currently, there are over 300 internships on our CaneZone system. Still can’t find something that interests you? Check out UCAN, a comprehensive online internship database that is shared by 22 prestigious colleges and universities. UCAN currently has 1700+ internship postings across the U.S. and the globe. Employers who recently posted internships on UCAN include General Electric, Denver Broncos, Boston’s Children Museum, MTV Networks, Shedd Aquarium, and National Parkinson Foundation. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Internships.com is the largest internships database in the world and you’re sure to find something that peaks your interests. Finally, don’t forget to check out Twitter and search for #intern.

Paid and Unpaid Internships
If possible, consider both paid and unpaid opportunities, but remember that internship providers (other than government agencies and not-for-profit agencies) are required by federal law to either pay or award academic credit to their interns. Compensation must be at least minimum wage or equal out to minimum wage per hour if payment comes in the form of a stipend. Government agencies and not-for-profit agencies are allowed to offer unpaid/no-credit internships without violating these laws. However, the Toppel Career Center recommends some sort of compensation. Remember if your employer requires you to receive academic credit for your internship you can go through the Toppel Internship Program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Frits Bigham at fbigham@miami.edu

Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Help
If you’re applying for lots (20+) of internships and not receiving any interviews, it’s time to take a closer look at your resume and cover letter. Come in for walk-in advising, Monday-Thursday from 2:00-4:00 pm and have a Toppel staff member take a look. Click here to review the Graduate Assistants’ advice on how to jam your way to a great resume and click here to read Monica’s tips for bringing your cover letter from inception to reality.
If you have had several first and/or second round interviews, but are not receiving any internship offers, it is time to get a second opinion on your interviewing skills. Remember, interviewing is all about fit. You may be qualified for the position, but does your personality best fit with the team? Do the boss and your potential co-workers want to spend every day working with you? When faced with sharing 8 hours a day with someone new, it is amazing how small social cues, non-words, and body language can be interpreted. Stop by for a mini mock interview, Tuesday – Thursday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, to have your interviewing skills critiqued, and feel more confident knowing how you come across to others. You can also practice on your computer using the Optimal Resume software available on the Home page of your CaneZone account. Click here to read Toppel's Interviewing Skills Guide.

Running on Battery Acid Part 2

2011-05-12T09:00:00.006-04:00

Written By Monica Page

"Show me the money!" – Jerry Maguire

This should be pretty self-explanatory. Money makes the world go ‘round and even if you want to go de-worm children in Africa you are going to need money. You can go the full-time route, the part-time route, the freelance route, or any other legal version of obtaining money using your skill-set. Not everyone is made for an office 9 to 5, the goal is to find the set-up that is best for you and monetize it. With technology allowing for easy connectivity across the world, it is now easier than ever to take full advantage of the multitude of opportunities available. Just stay legal, don’t try to recreate an episode of The Wire.

"I feel the need—the need for speed!" – Top Gun

Maybe you are one of the kids who have been prepared for life since you were formed in the womb. Not even a carded member of the human race yet and you were already planning your life goals and the paths you will take to get there. With that, there is absolutely no problem with being prepared (although it is creepy) except for the fact that when you get a job and get your life together, what comes next? Would you rather speed through your hopes and expectations or take a breather and enjoy the finer things in life? Perhaps you want to take a couple of months off and backpack through Europe or volunteer overseas. There is no “must-be-accomplished-by-this-date” policy in life. We will all get old, but stressing yourself out to achieve your to-do list before the age of 25 will do nothing but stress you out and make you ridiculously irritable and a pain to be around.

"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?" – Dirty Harry

Are you glad you went to the University of Miami? Are you glad you survived Hecht and Stanford? Are you glad you stayed 50 feet away from Four Loko (feel free to modify this statement based on your average blood alcohol level between Thursday and Monday)? The goal of graduation is to have the least amount of regrets as possible. You can’t relive those years nor should they be the best times of your life. Yes, this is probably the only time you can be on Ocean Drive for a full 48 hours, intoxicated and not be compared to Paris Hilton; but really do you want to be 40 years old hanging out with college students? Complete your Miami bucket list and have no regrets. Although the $200,000 tuition fee may break you a little inside, you are done and it’s time to move on to life post-dorm life.

"May the Force be with you." – Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Not everyone wants to continuously stay on campus post-graduation. For others, you won’t have the opportunity to stay on campus anyway (as in, you are moving away from Miami, not that you are on the UMPD watch list). So take these last moments to soak up as much knowledge as possible from professors, friends and general staff members who can help you move forward in life. Don’t write down every single suggestion someone gives you. There are stupid people in the world and after four years of palm trees and ducks you should be able to distinguish between useless and useful knowledge. As another side note, if your personal Yoda is really passionate about telling you something or making you do something that is only possible to achieve in Miami, it is probably a bad idea. Run for the hills. Yoda needs to give some better advice, otherwise Yoda needs to shut-up.

"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." – Dead Poets Society

To wrap up this mega-post in the voice of Jim Morrison, “this is the end, beautiful friend, the end.” Even for the less than aesthetically pleasing amongst us, these years at Miami will never return again. You can always earn your masters or doctorate degree here, but nothing will be the same. The Rat will be gone, the parrots may be gone, and a crocodile may finally chase off those fat ducks that like to parade up and down Stanford Drive. Calling Canes will have your information and who knows what other changes will occur. Take the however many years you were here and make something out of yourself.

Don’t be the one person in Miami Magazine who has nothing to say for themselves. Buy a stuffed Sebastian, stick it in your car window/ office/ house window/ random areas in life and never forget your years at Miami. Especially for the few of us who will be paying for it for the next 10 years. Every time you send out that monthly check, throw up the U with a little tear in your eyes.

Toppel Peer Advisor, Jesse Cortes, and Director, Christian Garcia, on CBS4

2011-05-11T11:44:00.001-04:00

CBS4 stopped by the Toppel Career Center on May 10 to interview Christian Garcia, Toppel's Director, and Jesse Cortes, Peer Advisor, on the importance of internships. Also interviewed was UM Alumnus Michael "Dr. Woody" Woodward, Executive Coach and author of The You Plan.

To see the story, click here

Running on Battery Acid Part 1

2011-05-09T09:00:00.008-04:00

Written BY Monica Page

Graduation: that beautiful moment where your $200,000 education is summed up in a handshake with President Shalala in the Bank United Center. It is the moment we all patiently wait for. This is the moment where those 2 a.m., Redbull-sponsored study sessions in Club Richter seem semi-worth it (only a little). After all the toil and hard work you discover a new world: life after Miami. Even if you plan to stay in Miami, life will never be the same.

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" – Apocalypse Now

That first morning after graduation: your food will taste different, the sun will shine brighter, and then reality will hit you like a freight train. Student loans, post-grad job, the prospect of grad school, that random DVD you left in your dorm room that UNICCO has probably chucked by now. For some, walking across that stage and getting your diploma will be the highlight of your life for a couple of weeks/months. Now, I’m not comparing life after Miami to Vietnam, but after the keggers and SoBe parties die down and that first bill from “insert-loan-company-here” comes in the mail, not even Marlon Brando can save you.

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." – Gone With The Wind

When you go in for interviews or just general networking meetings the term “University of Miami” will carry a lot of weight. People will have negative impression of how you act and that you can hold your liquor better than a Cajun at Mardi Gras. All the above can be amusing, but you’ll always get that one. The one person who feels that need to inform the world of their Ivy League education sponsored by their great grandfather. You’ll go into meetings and see their pressed Yale blue jackets layered over a Hugo Boss shirt and think, “Why oh why did Miami have to have orange and green as their official colors?!” But when you really think about it, who cares? Miami is a great school in academics, a great school in sports and offers many opportunities students at other schools will never get. Plus, we are ranked number one in Florida so all the other schools can just go back and play in the snow while we study under palm trees.

"Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!" – The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

As I said above, Miami graduates can be sometimes be attached to negative stereotypes. We have a general tendency to go into places like we already have the job and act like we are the best. Listen up Miami; sometimes you may need to do a little bit more to get the job. Even if you have a 4.0 through your entire undergraduate career, there is still the prospect that you may need to apply for a specific certificate or program to prove you have knowledge in the area. Take the certification and shut-up, that way you can get hired and run down the hallways throwing up the U to all the other employees (take an extra long stop at the UF and FSU offices).

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." – Casablanca

Remember that one time on South Beach where you were doing Sake bombs and ended up dancing on top of tables like Jenny from the Block? Yeah, that will probably come back to haunt you. There are people in the world; no one knows where they come from (probably Mars) who remember every little detail of every other person’s life. These are the people who randomly post on your Facebook wall about elementary school kickball injuries that no one has any recollection of. When it comes to life after Miami, have a sit-down with this person. Tell them, “your overall existence will probably hamper any chance I have of getting a proper job, please shut-up until further notice.” As another prerequisite, if you happen to be going out to a networking event or interview, do it 50 miles away from this person and any bartenders/waiters who may have knowledge of your escapades

Congrats Class of 2011! Graduation Check List

2011-05-06T09:30:00.018-04:00

You're almost through your last final exams as an undergraduate. The last thing you want to do is put in extra effort to think about what you have to do to be ready for Commencement next week after pulling five all nighters. To help you out, here's a quick to do list:

1. Fill out the graduating student survey click here

2. Pick up your regalia (cap and gown)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 8:30am - 6:00pm
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 8:30am - 6:00pm
Thursday, May 12, 2011 8:30am - 6:00pm
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM at the Toppel Career Center
Bring your Cane Card or a Photo ID

3. Know when your ceremony is and arrive one hour before the start time.
Here are dates and times of the commencement ceremonies:
Thursday, May 12, 4:00 PM, Graduate Degree Ceremony (All graduate degrees except School of Law and School of Medicine M.D. degrees)
Friday, May 13
Undergraduate Degree Ceremonies
8:30 AM: School of Business Administration, College of Engineering
12:30 PM: Schools of Architecture, Communication, Education, Music, Nursing & Health Studies
5:00 PM: College of Arts & Sciences, RSMAS undergraduates

For reception information and additional commencement information, click here

Looking Back…

2011-05-03T11:04:00.001-04:00

Written By Claire Arritola

As a graduating senior, I am walking the campus with a mix of emotions. I am beyond excited to graduate and to start a new chapter, but I am also very sad to leave UM. As I walked into work today at Toppel, I made note of the fact that my days were numbered; soon I would not be making my familiar walk from Pavia to Stanford Circle. Now that I am a senior, I can safely say that I have made some mistakes and had some successes as well. As a freshman, I entered UM without having too much direction and looking back on my experience I realized that I could have navigated that path a little better. They always say that “hindsight is 20/20,” but now I actually believe this saying. So here are my top 5 tips for freshman:
1) Try new things!
2) Get involved!
3) Choose a mentor!
4) Get to know people in your classes, you will eventually need them.
5) Enjoy your time at UM, it goes by so fast!

Four finals now separate me from graduation. I will miss everyone at Toppel very much and have learned so many great skills. No matter what year you are in school just remember that the time goes by very fast, for better or for worst. Take advantage of the resources that you have now and enjoy your time here!

The Inception of Cover Letter Writing

2011-04-28T09:00:00.005-04:00

Written By Monica Page

There are many verified truths in the world: the grass is green, the sky is blue, you gotta fight for your right to party, and almost no one knows how to write a proper cover letter. Either people provide the condensed history of their own personal time, or they write a raving review of their current life progress on Earth. A person with even the smallest amount of attainable common sense is able to realize that both of the above are boring and easily forgotten. Everyone knows they have to do it, they just don’t know how to do it. In that sense, a cover letter is a little bit like Inception: confusion and epic stunts wrapped together in a philosophical look at dreams. So taking advantage of post-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio, let’s take a complex idea and add in a Christopher Nolan script to make it purely chaotic, but highly entertaining.

An elegant solution for keeping track of reality.

The first step to writing a cover letter requires no more than a heartbeat and the ability to read. All cover letters need to include your contact information and the information of the person in which you are writing to. Using those AP Language context clue skills, this is a letter, meaning that it should be formatted as such. As I stated above, this is the no-brainer section that can only be screwed up if you work to mess it up. Seriously, you need to sit down in a state of pure enlightenment, contort your body into the lotus position and dedicate the next 30 seconds to destroying one of the most basic aspects of life. Instead of me wasting valuable blog time, Google how to write a letter and figure out how to add an address line. If this section confuses you, stop and do not continue; it will only get harder from here and there’s no crying in cover letter writing.

The seed that we planted in this man's mind may change everything.

Introductions are the golden nugget when it comes being first or second on the hiring list. Screw up in the first paragraph and you might as well kiss the opportunity goodbye. This is where you provide basic information concerning what position you are applying for, why you are applying for it and information on the position you have already obtained. With that, you need to actually research what you are applying for. It's beneficial to apply to multiple positions, as long as you are fully aware of everything it entails. This is not your high school English paper; you do not need to drown the person in irrelevant details to extend the length. Just brush the surface of what needs to be conveyed and keep it as brief as possible without sounding like an idiot.

They say we only use a fraction of our brain's true potential. Now that's when we're awake. When we're asleep, we can do almost anything.

If you dedicate yourself to one thing in your cover letter, it should be the middle paragraph. Referred to as the body paragraph by grade-school graduates, this is where you expand upon and elaborate on experiences relevant to the position. This does not mean to convert resume bullet points into fleshed out paragraphs as if the person you are writing to can’t read. Cover letters provide the opportunity to go in-depth into what’s included or not included in your resume. Highlight experience that supports the fact that you are qualified and a good fit for the position. Usually in this section, it is a good idea to focus on one or two main positions and elaborate on that. If you are highly qualified and have lots of experience to include, wait it out to elaborate on in the future interview. Also, you will still be submitting your resume, so the contact person will have a vague idea of what you can off.

You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

All difficult things come to an end and with a cover letter; it is up to you to end it. State that you are interested and excited about the opportunity and feel as though you and the company/person will mutually benefit from the opportunity. There is no need to re-state the above paragraph in bullet point format. The key goal is to leave on a proper note and move on with your life. Provide contact information (phone and e-mail) and state that you are interested in hearing back from them. Say thank you, sign your name, proofread, print and send out.

You mind telling your subconscious to take it easy?

There comes a time in every person’s life where they need to be told the truth. Whether by a friend, family member or pissed off cat with extended claws, the truth can be painful, but also the best thing that may happen to you. So in relation to a cover letter, if you get to page two, it’s time to shut up. A cover letter should be looked at like an elevator pitch, telling the main points in a limited amount of time. Drowning out the reader in mindless facts is boring. To be perfectly honest, not all employers will even read the cover letter. Most skim the cover letter and resume, and base their decision off the little information they obtain.

The moral of the story is: keep it simple, keep it light, and know when it is time to shut up. Writing a cover letter is not brain science. If you have command of the English language, you can write a cover letter. If you know who you are and what you accomplished, you can convey it in a cover letter. Take a step back, breathe, and just write. Even if the first draft is longer than one page, you can always make it shorter. A cover letter is not the condensed version of Inception, not even the Cliff Notes version. Be calm and get it over with.

Jam Your Way to A Perfect Resume

2011-04-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Written By Thaimi Fina and Samantha Gil

Hello loyal Toppel Peers Blog followers! We are Thaimi Fina and Samantha Gil and we serve as the Toppel Career Center’s Graduate Assistants. If you’ve come in for a resume, cover letter, or personal statement critique during walk-in hours, chances are you’ve had the pleasure of meeting with us (lucky you)! When we’re not busy critiquing students’ professional documents, we enjoy our time at Toppel by jamming to old 90’s classics at our desk. Therefore, we found it thoroughly appropriate to create a blog entry linking useful resume tips to our favorite 90’s hits. So come with us as we embark on a little musical journey to the past:

Oops I did it again! – Britney Spears / Bye Bye Bye – Nsync

So, you spent hours looking on CaneZone last night and found “the one”: your dream job with the perfect company. You quickly browse through your documents, find your latest resume, and send it off in a tizzy. All done! You decide to take a quick glance at the document you just sent and… Oops! You did it again! The biggest resume error we see our students making is forgetting to proofread their document for spelling and grammar mistakes. This is a very simple step in the process but it can make all the difference between making an ideal impression and giving off the vibe that you just don’t care (so put your hands in the air!). Having a spelling or grammar error in your resume is a surefire way to make an employer dismiss your application, stand up, and bust out the classic “Bye Bye Bye” choreography we all remember so well. So do yourself a favor and stop by the Toppel Career Center to meet with one of the lovely Graduate Assistants (that’s us!) who will be happy to help you proofread your documents during walk-in hours.

I Want You Back- Nsync

Often times us GA’s are asked how to properly format certain sections of a resume. Specifically, there seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to the Experience section as well as Honors and Activities. Well now, we can finally set the record straight. Your experience is the most important section of your resume. In this section you want to have the following:
• The name of the company or organization/ the city, state
• The title of your position within that company or organization/ the dates you worked there (Formatted as follows: beginning month year- end month year)
• A minimum of 2-3 bullets per experience detailing what you did at your job, and more importantly, the skills that you utilized and enhanced in your position
Your Honors and/or Activities section should be much more straightforward. There’s no need to use any dates or descriptions in this portion of your document; simply list the name of the company or organization, and the title of your position in that organization.

For instance, if we wanted to put our position with Toppel under Activities, we might write:
• Toppel Career Center, Graduate Assistant (and 90’s music-jammer)

Now, how do Justin, JC, Lance, Chris, and Joey fit into all of this? Well, the rationale behind not describing your honors and activities is to eliminate clutter on your resume and secure an interview so the employer can learn more about you. You want them to say “I want you back!”

How’s It Gonna Be? – Third Eye Blind / I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys

So, you finally went to Toppel and met with a fabulous Graduate Assistant (don’t worry, I promise we’re not as full of ourselves in person) who helped you create an impeccable resume. Now you can just send that same old resume to every job posting ever listed on the internet, right? Wrong! Always tailor your resume to the specific job and company you are considering. Start by researching “how’s it gonna be?” What does a typical work day look like for someone in that position? What kinds of skills are necessary for succeeding in that job? Not sure where to find this information? Ask your employer of interest for a job description, detailing exactly what they want in an employee. By researching those skill sets, you can tailor your resume so that it provides employers with exactly what they’re looking for in an applicant. That way, when an employer approaches you singing “I want it that way” in an ever-so-melodic male quintet, you will be perfectly prepared to hand them a unique resume tailored to their specific needs. That being said, be sure to remain honest and not exaggerate your skills (see below for helpful tips from The Spice Girls about how to analyze a job description and avoid the downfalls of being a Wannabe).

Wannabe- Spice Girls

Yo, I’ll tell you what we want, what we really really want….we want you to tell the truth! No matter what position you are applying for, it is important to only list things on your resume that are truthful and accurate. For instance, if you put that you are proficient in Microsoft Excel, don’t be surprised if on your first day on the job they ask you to create tons of charts and develop complicated formulas. For all you know they may have hired you because no one else in the office really knew how to use Excel. This often concerns a lot of students because they feel like they need to make everything “sound good.” In actuality, you probably have a lot more to offer to an employer than you realize. Think about the transferrable skills you’ve gained through your experiences with part-time jobs, internships, and involvement with student organizations. Some of these skills might be communication, time management, organization, leadership, customer service, the ability to work in teams… the list can go on and on. So instead of lying about the skills you don’t have to make yourself seem like a better candidate, elaborate on the skills that you do have and tell them how strong of a candidate you really are. No one wants to hire a “wannabe.”

Helpful hint: Reference the job posting that you are applying for while writing your resume. The skills that company is looking for in an employee should stick out to you. For example, a job posting may read “An ideal candidate will be a senior with demonstrated skills in effective written and oral communication, initiative, focus, organization, and the ability to work with diverse populations. Once you’ve identified these key buzz words, you can better incorporate them into your resume.

Bugaboo- Destiny’s Child

One of the worst things you can do after you send your resume to an employer is continuously bother them to see if they’ve received it. If you consistently call, fax, page, e-mail, and snail mail them asking about the status of your application, there’s a good chance you may be annoying them enough to not seriously consider you. Don’t make them “want to throw their pager out the window, tell MCI (or Verizon for that matter, because I’m fairly certain they bought out MCI) to cut the phone pole”, or even worse, “make them break their lease so they can move!” Waiting two weeks to send a follow up e-mail or phone call is an appropriate amount of time for you to still seem eager about the position, but not like a total pest, or “bugaboo.”

Welcome to Miami – Will Smith

“Welcome to Miami, Bienvenido a Miami.” Capable of understanding both parts of Will’s obnoxiously catchy lyric? Then, that’s a skill worth noting in your resume! Employers greatly value applicants who have some proficiency in another language. But just look at Will; you don’t have to be fluent to throw in some Spanish here and there. Feel free to list things such as “Basic Knowledge of Spanish” or “Conversational Spanish” to give employers an accurate idea of how well-versed you may be in another language.

So now that you’ve revisited these 90’s classics (and spent far too much time reminiscing and watching their YouTube videos), you’re well on your way to creating a fantastic resume! Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many tips to consider while drafting your resume. Stop by the Toppel Career Center for an individualized walk-in resume critique to learn how to take your resume from fantastic to Pretty Fly.

My First Weeks at Toppel

2011-04-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

Written By Jesse Cortes

Needing a job... and more money, I applied and interviewed for a few work-study positions on campus. I called around different departments, but most of the positions had already been filled. I found out about the Peer Advisor position at the Toppel Career Center through student employment (and with the help of Priyanka ;) and it grabbed my interest, so I applied. A few days later we set up an interview and I eventually got the position.

My first few weeks have been quite fun and interesting. It is a laid-back work environment, and the flexible hours allow me to work around my school schedule, which is great. Everyone in the office is nice and they have been very helpful training me for the position. On top of having enjoyable co-workers, there is ALWAYS food being brought into our office, which is another plus.

Working at Toppel has been and will continue to be a great experience. I am learning professional skills and making great contacts along the way. Two weeks ago, we held our annual Student & Alumni Career Symposium. I attended the hospitality session, which was led by a very knowledgeable panel and I was able to network and make great contacts throughout the event. I also have redone my resume and uploaded it to CaneZone and now feel as if I could present it with confidence to anyone. Through the different training sessions, mock interviews and various events that we run, I don’t think I could have landed a better work-study position.

Born This Way: Join the Glee Club!

2011-04-19T09:30:00.100-04:00

Written By: Priyanka Surio

Lalalala! Oh can’t you hear the Birds and Bees humming, the smell of spring and summer meshing together, and the blare of Sue’s horn! Nationals are coming up and you have to figure out what you are going to do before someone else takes your place and potentially your title.

As part of the new popular culture phenomenon Glee, people have come to identify with one of the various competing singing groups on the show. Now it is Your Turn to figure out if you are part of the Glee club, a Warbler, or just have that competitive streak in you like Sue and her gang. With all these options and countless people trying to influence your choice, this can turn into a real West Side Story but I Dare you to Move and take action to figure out On ”Your” Own where your passion lies.

How is this going to lend any insight into the workforce, graduate school and life in general? Well for some reason, the American culture is all about classifying people into categories. Exhibit A: The Glee Club.

So what are you? Are you a cutthroat, competitive, Dynamite Sue, a team player Warbler, or a creative spirit pursuing New Directions? Each persona fits in a different category and in your potential career field it is important to merge both your interests with your career so that you find something you truly love to do.

Confused about where to Find Yourself? Looking to the Stars will give you just about as much insight as standing on your head upside down waiting for the answer to fall out in front of you. But not to fear, I hear there’s a New Kid on the Block, Toppel Career Center, that can help lay out the options you have for your future calling in life.

And then a Hero comes along with the strength to carry on..

The Strong test is a comprehensive online career assessment taken at the Toppel Career Center for $10 and an automatic advising appointment with our renown advisors.

TypeFocus is another online assessment that can be accessed via the main Canezone page and is absolutely free for students to take. You can also schedule an appointment to discuss the results with advisors. The results of TypeFocus, center on defining your personality type and broad areas of possible interest.

Welcome to the Old School Paper Based Self Directed Search (SDS) Assessment that will still give you in depth specific results on a potential career field. I knew I wanted to be a doctor but Cardiologist, wow; this test took my interests to a whole new sublevel. This is also free for students along with a follow up appointment as requested.

Looking for a new direction

I am the Dancing Queen/King….Are you the creative artsy individual looking for a new direction, a new adventure to tackle; then it behooves you to explore the majors of Creative Writing, Foreign Language, or Music. Being an interior decorator, graphic designer, animator, or musician would play to your talents.

Want to win the prize? Then Enterprise

Mamma Mia! You are ready to make a statement and get all the attention you can muster with your competitive edge. Majors in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management and Marketing are a perfect suit for you. You will be happiest as an office manager, lawyer, judge, or politician.

Working together to make the world better

Heal the World and Make it a Better Place. Your ideal work environment incorporates people into the equation. You love working with others and are the type of person who would thrive in International Relations, Education, or Psychology. Your preferred career field is a social worker, nurse, teacher, or counselor.

Let’s Get it Started…Visit our website HireaCane and click on the students tab. Look under the Getting Started Tab, what to do with my major and you will unlock Pandora’s Box to a plethora of avenues available for each major.

Regardless of which category you fall under, you were Born this Way and it is time to embrace your interests and match them up with a potential major and career field that you know you can enjoy. All is “Glee” in Love and War, so be prepared to stay tuned to the show and arm yourself with further opportunities in your career field that will grant you both experience and exposure, minus the Paparazzi.

Employment, Mafioso Style

2011-04-13T10:11:00.001-04:00

Written By Monica Page

Before we even begin one thing should be made clear: the differentiation between “gangster” and “gangsta.” This post is not about the life and times of 50 Cent or any other rapper with “thug life” tatted on their chest. What we are talking about here is an all-American institution. The movie roles that guarantee Oscars and the life choices that guarantee jail time for tax evasion, not murders or crime. This is the livelihood of Scorsese, the original famous Italians before Jersey Shore made “Guido” a household line. This is the Mafioso guide to employment.

"As far back as I could remember I've always wanted to be a gangster." – Goodfellas

It shouldn’t take a blog post to realize that people perform better when they are doing things they are interested in. If you really want to enter a certain career field, then do it. Of course there will be road blocks and issues in the way before you can actually get there, but the stepping stones will give you the skills to allow you to succeed in your chosen path. Even if you spend time “hovering” around the “career of wonders,” do jobs and activities that can be translated into beneficial work experience that can be tapped into when you fully commit to a career.

“Only don't tell me you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and makes me very angry.” – The Godfather

There is a little thing now called a background check. It’s the same as the threats you receive on the first day of school about how there are heavier repercussions for plagiarism than for smacking someone. Don’t lie on your resume. Don’t lie about your past arrests. Don’t even tell a little white lie to outperform your overachieving competitor. This does not mean that you should provide your entire biography to your future employer with every fact about you, but that if they ask a question you should answer it truthfully. This extends to when you actually have the job and screw up something. Don’t try to white it out of your professional career. Just move on.

“Listen to me very carefully. There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, and the way that *I* do it. You understand?” - Casino

Some people are a little thick when it comes to understanding the English language. If you are hired as an employee that means that you work under someone. To elaborate, you are not the boss. Do not do things the way you feel they should be done just because it is your way. It may be possible that your way is more productive, economical and just generally better than the current practices of the company. The correct thing to do is to make suggestions to your employer concerning workflow and the way things are done. On that end, don’t make changes that have not been authorized. Even if you are given a small congratulatory gesture, you probably highly pissed someone off in the process. Don’t walk alone in dark alleys if you feel the need to professionally embarrass someone.

“I make him an offer he don' refuse. Don' worry. “ – The Godfather II

If you are applying to multiple jobs and receive multiple offers, pick the one you want. Just because an offer may seem irresistible does not mean it is the best fit for you. Being paid more for doing something you generally hate will do nothing but give you a fat bank account and high blood pressure. An offer can be refused when taking into account personal obligations and your own wellbeing. No one wants to be 50 years old complaining in a cubicle. Do something meaningful with your life.

“You can't be half a gangster, Nucky. Not anymore.” – Boardwalk Empire

If you truly want to be successful, fully focus on a goal. It is possible to have many interests and jobs, but one of them needs to be the main goal. Yes it is possible to have a main job and little ventures on the side, but it is just that: a main job plus extras. If something doesn’t look like it will expand into a worthwhile opportunity, perhaps you should put more energy into those that have the potential to grow. This does not mean to tap into the Force and put all your life energy into one specific task like Yoda. Have fun, explore your opportunities, but keep some sense of a goal.

“You wanna play rough? Okay. Say hello to my little friend!” – Scarface

Yes, I am aware Scarface is as far away from the Italian mafia as you can get, but you know what? This is a blog post from the University of Miami and if you thought you were getting through it without at least one Scarface reference, you obviously have never experienced real life. So you know what, you’re going to take this Scarface reference, use it, and you’re going to like it. You are going to write it on a post-it note and it will become your life mantra that you chant every night before bed. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

If an employer does not respect you, don’t stay there. Even though we are in a bad economy does not mean that you should lose your sanity and self-respect for a few extra dollars. Look into opportunities that provide motivation and happiness in general. For those who can’t leave their job for whatever reason, confront the people making your life miserable (just not in a back alley or in areas where office supplies become weapons). There is no reason to be depressed in a situation where you will spend most of your waking hours. Outline your grievances and ways things can change to make employment more tolerable. Keep it short, consistent, and non-threatening.

To put it in a nutshell: do what you like, stay in your own lane, and don’t get suckered into things you have no interest in. Life is too short to be depressed and bored. Have fun and be successful, but don’t become anyone’s lapdog in the process. There are a million ways to have employment that is enjoyable, but the above way allows for small mental reminders in the form of Michael Corleone telling you to get your act together and do something with your life.

Student and Alumni Career Symposium

2011-03-31T09:00:00.006-04:00

Empowering and Connecting a World of Canes
Thursday, April 7th
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Newman Alumni Center

One of Toppel’s newest and most exciting events is happening on April 7!!! Everyone in the office is really excited and we can’t wait to meet all the great people participating. Things are almost ready, we have a keynote speaker, Ms. Katrina Campins, Founder of The Campins Company, UM Alumna, and contestant on the first season of the Apprentice, at 9:30am and some refreshments to start the day.

After that you can choose one of three seminars: 1. Entrepreneurship is a Career Choice, 2. Ethics and Leadership in an Evolving Global Economy, and 3. Communication Trends in the 21st Century, followed by a free networking lunch.

A second seminar will begin at 1:15pm with three other interesting choices: 1. Modern Healthcare and Implications for the Future, 2.Leveraging Social Media, and 3. Five-Star Service: Hospitality in a Competitive Market.
To finish the symposium there will be a closing session and a reception sponsored by Prudential Financial where students can network with other students, alumni and the panelists.

All the students who attend will receive free business cards and alumni get a special gift. After working at the career center for almost three years this is one of the programs that I find most creative and appealing, because it includes almost every major and interest out there, and the panelists are just amazing.

Some of the panelists include:
• Eliott Rodriguez (CBS4 News Anchor and Emmy & E. Murrow Award Winner)
• Jose Suarez (Executive Producer NBC Miami)
• Luis Hernandez (Founder/President LINQ Financial)
• Lisa Cole, Director of Corporate Communications, Hilton Corporation
• Dr. Steve Ullmann (Professor & Director Programs in Health Sector Management and Policy)
• Michelle Villalobos, President, Mivista Consulting, Inc.
• Marc Lawrence (Owner/President Anglers Boutique Resort)

You can register at: www.miami.edu/studentsymposium or click here

Hope to see you there!
Daniela Martinez

Advertising Yourself Like a Mad Man

2011-03-28T09:00:00.010-04:00

Written By Monica Page

“Never judge a book by its cover.” That’s a lie. The average person forms an opinion upon first impressions before the other person even opens their mouth. We judge people by their attire, their hair and the general way they carry themselves. It can be a bad way to form opinions, but at the end of the day if someone comes in looking disheveled, you will most likely hold this opinion for quite a while. When going in for an interview or even just presenting yourself to someone for the first time, there are more important factors than the words that come out of your mouth. Using the framework of Mad Men, adopting a ‘60s or more classic style to your demeanor can make you look more professional and memorable outside of your mental script.

Dress yourself like a Pete.

Whether you are going to an interview, a networking function, or just generally introducing yourself to another person, the way you dress is the first on the “non-vocal” checklist of importance. It’s a no brainer that professional dress is the international standard when it comes to what to wear, but it is not just black suits and ties. In a show that takes place in an advertising agency, Pete Campbell is the Account Executive that stands out. It's not because he says some of the stupidest lines on the show, nor because he is consistently on the verge of being fired. It is because he is the only character in the office to wear a blue suit. In an endless sea of black suits, Pete stands out in scenes without being a main character. Going for a color that is not the traditional black can make you stand out while still being professional. For men, wearing a suit that is a little lighter than black (light grey, blue or slate) can be paired with a white shirt to look better than the average office uniform. For ladies, being creative is easier with the ability to match blouses that feature color, but still maintain the professional standard.

Carry yourself like a Joan.

Just because you may not be the CEO or department executive, does not mean you need to act like a scared lamb whenever you come in contact with the executive team. Joan Harris plays the office manager, keeping the entire agency running. She does not overstep her superiors, but when it comes to handling things in her own department, she is the one everyone goes to. Being a Joan means being confident enough in your abilities without overstepping your place. Don’t slouch your back or look continuously at the floor. Walk with confidence and command an area where you are the leader. Even if you are just interviewing for a position, getting to the interview stage means the company has taken a liking to you. Go into the interview with confidence that you are the best person for this position. Even before you open your mouth, just have the nonverbal command of confidence and intelligence. If someone looks like they know what they are doing and what they are talking about, it is easier to believe they may actually have the skills to accomplish them.

Present yourself like a Peggy.

Even with confidence, you don’t want to overstate your position or act as if you already have the job. You are in your current position for a reason and although you may have dreams of advancement and moving up in the world, you aren’t there yet. Peggy Olson is the current second in command of the creative side of the Sterling Cooper Draper Price advertising agency. In the series premier, Peggy was the new secretary. By season three she had risen in the ranks step by step. To put it lightly, a Peggy is someone who knows when to talk and when to be quiet. Every time someone looks at you does not mean, “talk to me.” Interject when your opinion is warranted and self edit yourself if the situation becomes sticky. If someone is speaking to you, don’t twiddle your thumbs or make shadow puppets in the dark. Stay alert when you are needed, do the appropriate action of the moment, then shut up.

Visually connect yourself like a Roger.

The single most annoying people in the world are those who look at the floor or walls when people are talking to them. Eye contact shows that you are interested and that you are taking in all the information. The idea isn’t to stare holes into the person’s soul, but to convey enough attention to show that you aren’t just waiting for your turn to speak. Roger Sterling is the head of accounts at Sterling Cooper Draper Price and is most known for going out to client meetings, wining and dining human paychecks. Even if you have nothing to say, looking at the person who is speaking is important and can make or break a conversation. If you want to know the easiest sign that you are on someone’s anger list, just wait for the phrase “are you even listening to me?” Staring into someone’s eyes so long that it looks as if you are trying to command their soul from two feet away will freak people out. Looking at the floor and the birds flying outside will make it seem as if you are disinterested. If you are speaking one-on-one with someone stagger your eye contact moments, looking long enough to show you are paying attention, then direct your focus somewhere else for a split second. If you are in a group, make sure you give eye contact to everyone, giving attention to various people.

Vocalize yourself like a Don.

It may kill your self-confidence, but some people have annoying voices and you may be one of them. Some people have high pitched voices, some people stutter, others have voices so deep it sounds like a car engine, while others can’t speak straight to get their point across. The goal isn’t to change your voice, but to work with what you have in the best way to convey your point. Don Draper, the main character of Mad Men, is known for his booming voice and taking command of a room. He speaks artfully and articulates his points in a way that people will remember him. If you can’t control your voice or the way you speak, you add an entirely new roadblock to making a good impression. You can be reciting Shakespeare, but if your voice is equivalent to a wild banshee, people will hear you speak, but not know what you are saying. You don’t want to create some alter ego to present to people in public, rather just work on your entire self-presentation. Read something and take a good listen to how you articulate words, where your intonations are, which words just don’t come out right. Work with what you have and improve step-by-step, not just for when you are in professional settings, but also for life in general.

With e-mails, resumes, cover letters and other forms of non-direct interaction, you have the potential to set-up a sort of wall between yourself and the person you are speaking with. Even if you are not in the field of business, you can’t hide behind paper forever, and you will eventually need to meet people in person. Think of just walking around, not even in a professional setting, taking in the world around you. “That guy’s clothes don’t match,” “that girl slouches,” and “that guy’s voice is horrible.” We make assumptions about various people without knowing their skills or qualifications. No matter how qualified you may be for a position, if you can’t handle basic human interaction, your quest for professional advancement will be difficult. You don’t need to become a Don Draper to be successful; just be the best you can be on the surface when the resume and education aren’t taken into account.

Toppel Events for the Remainder of the Semester

2011-03-24T10:55:00.000-04:00

Program Schedule
Internships 101
Tuesday, March 29 - 4 p.m.
Friday, April 8 - 2 p.m

Alternative Options After Graduation
Wednesday, March 30 - 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 14 - 3 p.m.

Interviewing Skills
Wednesday, March 23 - 4 p.m.
Friday, April 1 - 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 27 - 5 p.m.

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Friday, March 25 - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 - 3 p.m.

Career Programs
Applying to Health Graduate and Professional Schools
Monday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

From Graduation to Corporation: Featuring Speaker and Author Andy Teach
Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.

Careers in Social Sciences
Thursday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.

Career Fairs & Events
Nursing and Healthcare Career Fair
Thursday, March 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., UC Lower Lounge
www.miami.edu/healthfair/students

Student Athlete Career Fair
Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hecht Athletic Center Gymnasium

Rising to Success: Alumni & Student Career Conference
Thursday, April 7, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location TBA, Contact Eddy Cruz at ecruz2@miami.edu for details

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

Financing your Study Abroad

2011-03-24T08:30:00.008-04:00

Applying to the Gilman Scholarship: My journey towards Studying Abroad
By: Priyanka Surio

Namaste means Welcome in Hindi. It can also refer to the beginning of my journey as a Gilman Scholar applicant for studying abroad pursuits.

I am currently a junior pre-med student majoring in Biology with minors in Political Science, Chemistry, and Spanish. Up until this summer, studying abroad seemed like an urban legend to me because I simply did not see the availability to pursue it being a pre-med student with such rigorous and inflexible science coursework built into my four years of undergraduate study. But then the unthinkable happened; I met with my advisor and we discussed that I only had one class left to take for my pre-medical and Biology major requirements. This summer seemed perfect to go study abroad; not only would I be allowed the opportunity to explore my heritage but I would also be taking classes relevant to my minor and cultural understanding. I would be enrolled in two courses with the option of interning or volunteering in the community.

There are several courses offered through the program I am applying for that deal with contemporary and Indian society as well as political thought. Another course offered is beginning Hindi, and being half-Indian, I feel that it would be a great opportunity for me to learn my father’s language.

Only one additional obstacle still pervades in this paradise of a plan; finances. Upon meeting with the Study Abroad office I discovered the plethora of scholarship opportunities available especially for minorities with financial need. The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship especially caught my attention because it offered scholarships not only during regular semesters, but for summer programs as well. The Gilman also targeted non-traditional study abroad majors who were wishing to travel to non-traditional places, and as an added bonus even offered extra critical language need scholarships for those studying critical need languages such as Hindi.

I had all the resources in hand like a box of nails and all I needed to do was hammer them in place to create the object of my pursuit. I had to meet with several offices on campus that helped make this happen; including the Biology Department, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Toppel Career Center, the Study Abroad Office, and the Financial Aid Office. I had to keep regular contact with both the Gilman staff and my program of interest staff, which was helpful whenever I had concerns or questions.

The Toppel Career Center specifically helped me with organizing my resume to the experiences that would market me best, along with providing valuable feedback on my statement of purpose for the Gilman and study abroad program of interest. I have already gotten accepted to the study abroad program in India, so the only thing left to do now is wait, and hope I am selected as a scholarship recipient.

Interview Fight Club

2011-03-21T09:00:00.020-04:00

Written By Monica Page

Fight Club, the nihilistic book and movie based on the problems of the early 2000s became a pop-culture staple as memorable as a pink bar of soap made out of body fat. Tyler Durden became the voice of a generation and introduced America to three important things:

1) Brad Pitt’s abs

2) The idea that you are not a beautiful or unique snowflake

3) The eight rules of Fight Club
Concerning number three, most people are pretty familiar with the first two rules, but the other six seem to get lost between The Narrator writing haikus during work and Marla Singer stealing clothes out of washing machines. Not only are the eight rules great material to quote from in everyday life (try it sometime), they can be manipulated to be beneficial in all kinds of situations. Today, you’re getting the eight rules for a customized, University of Miami Toppel Career Center sponsored Fight Club.

Welcome to Interview Fight Club.

The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.

If you are a member of a real fight club or you go bar dancing on the weekend, the interviewer does not want to hear that. Do not talk about things that are irrelevant to the interview. Although one of your great passions in life may be collecting every color Mardi Gras bead in existence, unless you can tie that into the changing landscape of the New York Stock Exchange and how the amount of alcohol you consume over the weekend is correlated with the rising price of crude oil imports from the Middle East, don’t talk about it. Better yet, don’t even think about it around the time of your interview.

The second rule of Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Fight Club!

Welcome to the 21st Century, “talking” now consists of more than over sharing personal information in public. Talking now consists of Facebook postings, tweets, blog postings, and all other forms of online interaction. As much as you think your Facebook is private, it isn’t. Everything is public and nothing is truly deleted. To be on the safe side, just keep your wild, weekend escapades off of Facebook and every other form of social networking in existence.

Third rule of Fight Club: if someone yells "stop!,” goes limp, or taps out, the fight is over.

Most interviewers are polite. If you ramble or say an “um” or “uh” every once and a while, chances are they won’t attack you for it. The problem comes when you reach the end. There are many triggers for ending an interview; some are “have a nice day,” “good seeing you,” “thanks for coming,” etc. When you receive one of these cues, thank the interviewer and leave. Do not try to give a better answer to a question asked 20 minutes ago. The interview is over. Your time is done. Think about what you’re going to have for dinner and the thank you note you need to be sending.

Fourth rule: only two guys to a fight.

As much as you love your friends and family, there is no reason to bring them to an interview. The interviewer does not need to meet your mother, your grandfather, your baby cousin or any other part of your family tree. If you need moral support, bring a Beanie Baby or stress ball, not your five year old cousin. Trust me, nothing good will come of bringing extra people with you. (As a side note, if your moral support is a Beanie Baby leave it in the car. Don’t be weird.)

Fifth rule: one fight at a time, fellas.

You are not Superman, do not schedule five back-to-back interviews. Even if you are fully prepared for each one, with your bullet point answers written on mental sticky notes, you will get tired. Not even Sasha Fierce could go through the mental and physical strain of consistently being “on” in various scenarios. Your best bet is to spread out your interviews throughout various days. If you really need to knock out a lot of consecutive interviews, try to not schedule more than one a day or at least give yourself a couple of hours between each one.

Sixth rule: the fights are bare knuckle. No shirt, no shoes, no weapons.

Disregard this. Be fully dressed in complete business attire. Yes to shirt. Yes to shoes. Ignore the weapons part. Make sure you have multiple copies of your resume and a pen to write down information. Bonus points for putting your things into a portfolio; you can use a folder, but a portfolio looks more put together.

Seventh rule: fights will go on as long as they have to.

It’s a common belief that the longer an interview goes, the more the interviewer likes you. If an interview ends after only five-minutes, something may have gone wrong (whether it was your fault or not). This is not to say that every successful interview lasts 2-hours. If you have thirty minutes for an interview, and you go those full thirty minutes, chances are you made a good impression. Answer questions in full and elaborate on your experience.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

The most important part of an interview is being prepared. Always research the company and position before going. This does not mean going into the interview and mentioning that you know the company imports its break room coffee from Costa Rica. When gathering background information look for partners of the company, where most employees are recruited from, and more information that is directly related to the position you are interviewing for. Just don’t go overboard and recite your interviewers Twitter timeline back to them in the interview. We’ve already covered the “being creepy” section; don’t return home with a restraining order instead of a job offer. Lastly, have questions prepared and make sure to always be on time.

To be successful in your own “Fight Club training,” Toppel offers two services that are beneficial to your success:

1) If you have attended an Interviewing Skills workshop, you have the option of scheduling a one-hour mock-interview with an advisor. The interview is tailored to the position you are applying to and also provides you the opportunity to have it recorded, so you can look over it later.

2) Mini-mock interviews are 30-minute interviews done with a member of the peer advisor staff. The interviews are less formal and shorter, but still provide a good opportunity to practice.
Whether you believe in the Fight Club rules or not, interviews are an important part of the job search process and require time and preparation. Preparation should begin the minute you confirm the date and time and you should remain prepared until you write the thank you letter at the end. Use every resource available and just be you. Pay attention and in a couple of weeks you can say, “I am Jack’s newly hired employee.”

Success Beyond UM: Nicki Marko, Former Peer Advisor

2011-03-17T09:00:00.004-04:00

Title/Employer Casting/Discovery Studios

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your current job/employer.
During my freshman UMX class, Toppel came and gave a presentation on how to best prepare ourselves for our careers after college. I remember the presenter mentioning that most employers like to see at least 2-3 internships on a resume, so I immediately got to work. I interned at a TV production company in DC (Ventana Productions) the summer before my sophomore year, Discovery Communications the summer before my junior year, and then at Miami World Cinema Center during my senior year. During this time I also worked as a peer advisor at Toppel so I made sure I had a killer resume to show off all of my experience. Needless to say I was very disappointed when I was unable to find a job upon graduation, despite my preparation during undergraduate career. My disappointment was intensified as all of my fellow peer advisors had landed amazing, well paying jobs of their choosing. I spent the summer in Japan with my parents to try to decide my next move. I did have a few interviews via Skype but none seemed to work out. I returned to the states and started waitressing, while applying for what seemed like hundreds of jobs online during my free time. Almost six months had passed since graduation and I was still jobless, until one day a contact I had made through my internship at Discovery (2 years prior) called me about a position in casting for TLC. I interviewed on Monday, was offered the job on Tuesday, quit my waitressing job Friday and started that very next week. I am working in casting for TLC's season 3 of "Hoarding: Buried Alive". So, in the end it was thanks to the connections I made (and kept) during my internships that landed me my first job in the biz.

What was your major(s)/minor(s) in school?
Majored in Video/Film and Anthropology

When and how did you begin to get involved with your career development while at UM?
I focused on landing internships in my field because at the end of the day it’s not what you know it’s who you know, especially in the TV/film industry. Or at least, that has been my experience. I also was a peer advisor, so I saw firsthand the importance of getting internships, interview and networking experience, and being proactive about job searching and career development.

What services/resources at the Toppel Career Center did you find to be the most helpful?
I think one of the most dreadful, yet a helpful experience is to participate in a mock interview. Especially if you have it recorded.

What advice would you give to students as they plan for their career?
I think being successful is a combination of being prepared but also being open to opportunities that you may not have planned for. I think one of the most important things I learned while working at Toppel is that every second is an opportunity to network. You never know who you will meet and what opportunity it may lead to.

The Job #Winning Tao of Charlie Sheen

2011-03-14T09:00:00.007-04:00

Written By Monica Page

A celebrity meltdown is one of the most demented celebrations our culture is known for. From Britney Spears to Mariah Carey, the general public develops a sort of collective sense of enlightenment when they discover that these worshiped celebrities are just as mentally screwed up as they are. At the top of the “mentally screwed up” pyramid is the 2011 poster child for crazy, Charlie Sheen. Beneath all the television interviews and Twitter rants, it is possible to find some sort of wisdom underneath the quotes. For example, can someone actually use spewed off Sheen nonsense to be productive in ways that do not involve becoming part of Twitter’s trending topics? Can someone actually use Sheen quotes to, let’s say, find a job? Let’s find out.

“I got magic and I got poetry at my fingertips.”

The first part of a successful job hunt is to develop a resume. Your resume needs to be a one-page reflection of who you are and the accomplishments you have achieved thus far. Without meeting you in person, the employer needs to have a quick overview of who you are and what you bring to the table. No one wants to read a poorly formatted demonstration of what you did not do in college. No, you need to get your act together and dazzle the employer before they even meet you. Use all those AP English skills you were supposed to acquire in high school and create the resume version of The Merchant of Venice. Become the Shakespeare of job-hunting documents.

“I don’t sleep. I wait.”

Once you submit your resume to the employer, don’t slack off. Employers are human and can easily throw your resume on a random pile on their desk, never to be seen again. If you don’t hear back a couple of weeks after submitting your resume, send an e-mail or call the company to follow-up and make sure they received your material. At times, they may have never received it, other times, they may have just forgotten. This does not mean to call at 4 a.m. sounding like a drunken –ex wondering why your calls haven’t been returned.

“I’m bi-winning. I win here and I win there.”

There is no guarantee that you are going to get your dream position. Just because you may look perfect for the position in question, it is all up to the employer whether they want you or not. The best bet is to apply to as many positions as possible, increasing your chances of eventually getting something. If you apply to only one position and you don’t get it, your luck is running dry. For those who apply to multiple positions, there is a greater chance of eventually getting at least something rather than putting all your hopes and dreams into one thing and having the world crumble down around you like a melodramatic teen drama. Apply to as many positions as possible, so when the time arises you can choose where you want to go instead of being at the mercy of ignorance.

“I got tiger’s blood. I expose people to my magic.”

When the time comes to go in for an interview, you need to dazzle the employer. Your interview will show the employer your personality and in-person interactions. Many people can write a resume to make themselves look like the best thing in the world, but it is only when you meet face-to-face that your true personality and interactions come out. The idea is not to regurgitate your resume nor speak of events and accomplishments that aren’t even in progress. Be yourself so that if you get the job, the employer is prepared for “you” and not your self-confidence boosting alter ego.

“I don’t believe in rock bottom. Rock bottom is like a fishing term.”

Let’s enter the hypothetical situation where you don’t get the job of your dreams. Nor the other ten you applied to. Nor the last Reese’s at Publix. It’s not the end of the world. Sometimes people become over confident and apply to positions that are way out of their league. This is not to say that you should only apply for positions in which you are over-qualified for, because then you aren’t challenging yourself. Balance your applications so you have a cushion. On one half you have your dream jobs that you have to work hard to achieve; on the other you have the positions in which you have a small sense of “over-qualification,” just so you have a back up.

“Clearly I have defeated this earthworm with my words. Imagine what I could have done with my fire-breathing fists… They picked a fight with a warlock.”

You’re awesome. You aced your interview and got the job of your dreams. Now that you’re employed, don’t screw it up. Don’t get comfortable and slack off before you have even proven yourself. The idea is that, although the employer obviously likes you and has taken the time to take a chance on you, you need to over perform to their expectations. They like you now, but the goal is to make them love you. You want them to wonder how they ever survived without you. You want to become a necessity instead of a placeholder.

“#WINNING!”

Everyone doesn’t send out a resume and get a job on the first try. Some people have to work for it more than others. Just because you don’t get your dream job on the first try doesn’t mean you’ll never get it. Taking a detour to your career may actually be beneficial in the long run. Some people aren’t ready to dive into the career they thought they wanted, while others are prepared from birth. The goal is to go with the flow and just work on advancing little by little until you finally get to the perfect position.

Virtual Internship Opportunity

2011-03-09T12:02:00.000-05:00

So earlier this week we gave you insight into obtaining and succeeding at a virtual internship. Now, we are giving you an internship in which you can test your skills and see just how well you will perform in a virtual scenario. Everyone's favorite #tigerblooded actor, Charlie Sheen, is looking for a social media intern to help with his new found Internet celebrity. Internships.com is now taking applications for this position. Here are the details:

Deadline: March 11th, 2011

Position: Full-Time, Paid

Timeframe: Summer 2011 (8 weeks)

Description: Do you have #TigerBlood? Are you all about #Winning? Can you #PlanBetter than anyone else? If so, we want you on #TeamSheen as our social media #TigerBloodIntern!

This unique internship opportunity will allow a hard-working, self-motivated, creative, resourceful and social media savvy individual to work closely with Charlie Sheen in leveraging his social network. The internship will focus on executing a social media strategy that will build on the success Charlie Sheen has attained in setting the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to reach one million followers on Twitter. The #TigerBloodIntern is expected to be proactive, monitor the day-to-day activities on the major social media platforms, prepare for exciting online projects and increase Charlie’s base of followers.

You will learn how to promote and develop the social media network of Hollywood’s most trending celebrity.

Before you even ask, yes it is a real position, yes it is really paid, no it is not sponsored by the Toppel Career Center. If this sounds like something you may be interested in apply online here.

Being a Virtual Intern

2011-03-07T09:23:00.008-05:00

Written by Monica Page

The challenge of obtaining an internship in college coincides with the “final boss” fight before entering the real world. Starting at freshman year, students are drowned in statistics and information that can be written out as one or two equations:

1) student + internship + internship = job upon graduation

2) student – internship – internship = living in your mother’s basement upon graduation. Since most logical students do not have the life goal of living in their mother’s basement, “internship” becomes the golden word for success, achievement, ownership of a bed versus a sleeping bag, etc.

After developing the want for an internship, it can be an easy mission for students to apply to every big company in the region, trying to get that all-star resume addition, the golden bullet point, the holy grail of experience. The problem with that is, every college student on the planet has the exact same idea. Another roadblock in achieving that “picture perfect I’m getting a job the minute I graduate” resume is that not every good opportunity is in a good geographic location. Unless you are from New York City or Los Angeles, chances are it may be a requirement to travel to distant locations to obtain that perfect internship. Although interning with the Coca-Cola Company, Apple or any other Fortune 500 company may seem like the dream opportunity, it may be a better idea to go for an alternative type of internship.

With the Internet, social media and various other forms of technological communication, it is now easier than ever to find an opportunity that best fits your interests. Along those lines, growth in a new type of internship has increased and has become widespread. Virtual interns are students who work remotely with companies (mostly Internet start-ups) along the lines of social media marketing and online content production. The greatest strength of becoming a virtual intern is the benefit of making your own hours and not having to drive to an office. As long as the student has a reliable computer, Internet connection and a working telephone, virtual internships can be a good way to learn more about working remotely.

The downside to this is the disconnect between the student and the employer. Since most of the companies looking for virtual interns are Internet start-ups, the entire “team” may be virtual. Having a traditional internship that involves commuting back-and-forth to work may be a strain on the wallet for gas money, but interns are provided the opportunity of working directly with their supervisors and learning how the company works on the inside. Skype is good for talking to Grandma and getting a visualization of your friends’ “Texts From Last Night,” but when it comes to discussing changes in the company or expectations of what needs to be achieved by a deadline, face-to-face interaction can’t be beat.

Even with the loss of direct human interaction, virtual internships are good for students who want to try something new or are in positions where they do not have the time or cannot commute to companies who offer internships in their major concentration. Obviously virtual internships are good for those in Marketing or Public Relations, who can do their job online through e-mails or through telephone calls. If you’re a Biology major who wants to do a virtual internship with the future goal of becoming a surgeon, you’re probably looking in the wrong area. Majors and careers that require hands-on experience and a supervisor to be readily available need to look more to “traditional internships” where supervisors are there to provide the best mentoring.

If you’re in a field where you will be working with technology and the changing landscape of social media, go for the virtual internship. The opportunity to work remotely will challenge your time management skills and help you become a better communicator with your team and target audience. For others, instead of looking to work virtually, aim at smaller companies that offer internships to get your foot in the door.

RCIF “From the Lab to the U”

2011-03-02T10:07:00.003-05:00

Written By Priyanka Surio

Remember those science fairs in middle school where we used to play with grass
or water and then put together a science fair board for our teachers who would
choose the most interesting of the projects to go on to the science fair? The Research Creativity and Innovation Forum is the college version of our childhood science fairs. It is a form of displaying your research for all to see regardless of whether you’re a freshman starting research or a senior completing an honors thesis.

With the Research and Creativity Innovation Forum quickly approaching, I decided
to share my past experience and provide some insider tips on presentation.
Presenting your research can be intimidating at first because you will be interacting
with current medical and research doctors who will be evaluating your work
thoroughly. It is important to make a good impression and this can be done through
effective communication and articulation along with a dash of confidence.

A year ago I was in the same position. First I had to submit a 250 word abstract

detailing my investigation and wait for selection from the RCIF committee. Upon
acceptance, I had to secure funding for a poster; luckily Miami – AHEC and the
Department of Internal Medicine at the Miller School of Medicine helped me secure
a sizable poster and printed my research presentation on it. I was a research
investigator on the topic of obesity, but I needed a catchy name to grab the judges’
attention so I came up with Promoting a Healthier Me. Although I was researching
the obesity statistics and behaviors of the greater Miami area, my hope was to
implement infrastructure within the clinics and hospitals at Jackson to address this
health disparity.

Next came judgment time! It was my first year presenting a research still so new
and ongoing, so I had my doubts. A few practice sessions with my research mentor,
who developed a series of questions to ask me, prepared me for the day. It was like
an interview, where I had to talk about what my research was, focus on its strengths
and weaknesses, and discuss its implications in the real world. I had three judges
and numerous peers look at my research. The three judges included a doctor at
the medical school, a PhD student in the department of biology, and a professor of
biological studies. Each one asked a range of questions. I was asked why I chose
my specific research topic, what I hoped to achieve, what my graphs and statistics
translated to, whether my research was applicable to other high-risk areas, and
what the limitations of my research were.

I received a certificate for showcasing my research and the feedback on my
presentation was helpful for future experiences. The key points that judges
determined your score upon included effectiveness of one’s presentation,
significance of results, need for such research, translational science applicability,and overall professionalism.

This year the RCIF will take place on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 in the Field
House, Coral Gables campus from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Awards Ceremony will
be from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in the Hurricane 100 Room at the Bank United Center,
Coral Gables Campus.

Preparation + Confidence = A Great RCIF Experience

RCIF Website

Contact: Daritza Blanco
d.berio@miami.edu
Office of Undergraduate Research
305) 284-3530

Promoting a Healthier Me Abstract

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Week

2011-02-21T10:23:00.001-05:00

Program Schedule
Internships 101
Thursday, March 3 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29 - 4 p.m.
Friday, April 8 - 2 p.m

Alternative Options After Graduation
Tuesday, March 8 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30 - 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 14 - 3 p.m.

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette
Monday, February 21 - 3 p.m.

How to Find and Apply for Government Jobs
Thursday, March 10 - 4 p.m.

Interviewing Skills
Monday, February 21 - 2p.m.
Thursday, March 3 - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 - 4 p.m.
Friday, April 1 - 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 27 - 5 p.m.

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Thursday, February 24 - 5 p.m.
Monday, March 7 - 2 p.m.
Friday, March 25 - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 - 3 p.m.

Career Programs
Careers in Human Resources
Tuesday, February 22, 3:30 p.m.
School of Business, Executive Dining Room

Careers in Advertising and Public Relations
Tuesday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.
School of Communication International Building, 2055

Writing the Personal Statement
Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 p.m.

Careers in Architecture
Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.

Careers in Computer Information Systems
Wednesday, March 9, 3:30 p.m.

Applying to Health Graduate and Professional Schools
Monday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

From Graduation to Corporation: Featuring Speaker and Author Andy Teach
Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.

Careers in Social Sciences
Thursday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.

Career Fairs & Events
Education Career Fair
Monday, February 28, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., UC Lower Lounge
www.miami.edu/educationfair/students

Nursing and Healthcare Career Fair
Thursday, March 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., UC Lower Lounge
www.miami.edu/healthfair/students

Architecture Career Fair
Thursday, March 21, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Bank United Center, Hurricane 100 Room
www.miami.edu/architecturefair/students

Student Athlete Career Fair
Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hecht Athletic Center Gymnasium

Rising to Success: Alumni & Student Career Conference
Thursday, April 7, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location TBA, Contact Eddy Cruz at ecruz2@miami.edu for details

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

The Law School Waiting Game!

2011-02-17T13:03:00.002-05:00

I must admit that I am a bit indecisive and coming to the decision to go to law school took me a long time. As a result, I didn’t have the benefit of a lot of counseling or preparation. I prepared for the LSAT in 6 weeks and took it late in December and applied late in January. I was told that this was going to be a huge disadvantage because of the rolling nature of the admission process. After the mad rush that was applying to law school, all I can do now is wait, wait for acceptances (hopefully). Next I filled out the FAFSA for financial aid purposes. Another very important step for me is going to be finding scholarships on my own. I have only begun this process, but so far I have found a good site called Fastweb.com. If you are looking for scholarships this would be a good start! In conclusion, don’t procrastinate and keep you’re your hopes up!

Daniela and Claire gave out LOTS of pizza at the Majors and Minors Fair!

2011-02-16T16:38:00.003-05:00

Applying for Internships / Jobs Checklist

2011-02-04T16:31:00.001-05:00

By Priyanka Surio

• Create a CaneZone account using my C #
• Create my Resume and upload it on CaneZone
• Look for Internships and Jobs using CaneZone, UCAN, Career Shift or Internships.com
• Research the company thoroughly
• Make sure that I am getting some form of compensation for my internship or job (i.e. paid, academic credit, or Toppel’s internship program)
• Check out HireACane for more details on the Toppel Internship Program
• Write a cover letter
• Make note of whether there are supplementary materials to apply
• If References are requested, ask references for permission and stay in touch with them throughout your search
• Request transcripts at least 2 -3 weeks in advance
• Practice interviewing skills with Toppel’s walk in mini mock interviews every Mon. (1-4 pm) and Wed. & Thurs. (10-12 am)
• Follow up with the employer
• Dress for Success and make sure your wardrobe is appropriate for the interview and the position
• Begin!

**Good luck on your application process and if at any time you have questions, check our HireACane or come in for walk-in advising to get your resume or cover letter critiqued, Mon.-Thurs., 10:00 am - 4:30 pm**

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2011-01-31T05:00:00.020-05:00

Program Schedule
Internships 101
Wednesday, February 2 - 3 p.m.

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette
Tuesday, February 1 - 5 p.m.

Interviewing Skills
Friday, February 4 - 11 a.m.

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Tuesday, February 1 - 4 p.m.

Freshman/ Sophomore Orientation
Tuesday, February 2 - 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 3 - 5 p.m.

Career Programs
Preparing for Summer Job and Internship Opportunities (CANE Explorers)
Thursday, February 3 - 6:30 p.m.

Career Fairs & Events
EPIC (Employer Practice Interviews and Critiques)
Wednesday, February 2 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Toppel Career Center
Registration Required on CaneZone, Keyword Search for EPIC

RESUMANIA
Monday, February 7 - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Toppel Career Center

Reverse Career Fair
Tuesday, February 8 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bank United Center, Multipurpose Room
Registration required here

Career Expo
Wednesday, February 9 - 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Bank United Center

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

Want to Practice your Interviewing Skills?

2011-01-27T17:55:00.001-05:00

Do you need to practice your interviewing skills but haven’t attended an interviewing skills workshop? Come to Toppel for a mini mock interview where you will meet with a peer advisor for about 20 minutes; no appointment or workshop attendance required. Interviews can be tailored to jobs, internships, graduate or professional school. The peer advisor will ask you a sample of interview questions and then give you feedback about your nonverbal communication and interview answers.

Stop by for a walk-in mini mock interview:
Mondays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Please bring an updated copy of your resume. Click here to view our Interviewing Skills Guide. For more information, email ToppelPeers@miami.edu.

Apply Now to be a Toppel Peer Advisor!

2011-01-27T17:53:00.002-05:00

The Toppel Career Center is looking to hire 2 new peer advisors. Applicants must have Federal Work Study or participate in Miami Commitment and can apply on MyUM through Student Employment. Toppel Peer Advisors staff the front desk, critique resumes, give presentations on career topics, conduct mini mock interviews, and help plan career programs. For more information, visit www.HireACane.com or contact Megan Garber at m.garber@miami.edu. Applicants are encouraged to become familiar with Toppel, create a CaneZone account, and have their resume approved on CaneZone.

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2011-01-24T10:36:00.000-05:00

Program Schedule
Internships 101
Monday, January 24 - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, February 2 - 3 p.m.

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette
Wednesday, January 26 - 4 p.m.

How to Find and Apply for Government Jobs
Thursday, January 27 - 1 p.m.

Interviewing Skills
Monday, January 24 - 5 p.m.
Friday, February 4 - 11 a.m.

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Tuesday, February 1 - 4 p.m.

Junior/ Senior Orientation
Monday, January 24 - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, January 25 - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, January 26 - 5 p.m.
Thursday, January 27 - 2 p.m.
Friday, January 28 - 11 a.m.

Freshman/ Sophomore Orientation
Monday, January 31 - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, February 2 - 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 3 - 5 p.m.

Career Programs
Preparing for Summer Job and Internship Opportunities (CANE Explorers)
Thursday, February 3 - 6:30 p.m.

Career Fairs & Events
Toppel's Semester Kick-Off
Thursday, January 27 - 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., UC Rock

EPIC (Employer Practice Interviews and Critiques)
Wednesday, February 2 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Toppel Career Center
Registration Required on CaneZone, Keyword Search for EPIC

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

Are you in Miami for Winter Break and Need Something to Do?

2011-01-05T10:38:00.001-05:00

By Pallavi Pal

Even though it may be late in searching for and applying for jobs over winter break or even an internship, a great way to boost your resume would be through volunteering. Butler Center has a volunteer search engine where you can find your calling.

Whether it’s working at the Actor’s Playhouse or American Forests Association, there are exciting and fun ways that you can not only get involved with the community, meet new networking sources, but also enjoy your winter break doing something you love. On the Butler website there are options for every major and every field of interest at UMiami.

For instance:

Art Majors
• Art Studio of Miami
• Gold Coast Theater
• GableStage
• Miami Art Museum

Science Majors
• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
• Baptist Hospital
• Action for AIDS, Inc.
• Children's Cancer Fund

Pre-Law Majors
• Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project
• Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
• Juvenile Justice Center School
• Legal Services of Greater Miami Inc.
• Guardian Ad Litem

Pre-Veterinary Majors
• Miami-Dade Animal Care and Control Services
• Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
• Adopt- A- Pet

Toppel Snuggie Fridays

2010-12-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

Where's The Stuffing: Part 3

2010-12-10T14:51:00.001-05:00

Written By Pallavi Pal

Are you staying in Miami for the Winter Break and Need Something to Do?

Even though it may be late in searching for and applying for jobs over winter break or even an internship, a great way to boost your resume would be through volunteering. Butler Center has a volunteer search engine where you can find your calling.

Whether it’s working at the Actor’s Playhouse or American Forests Association, there are exciting and fun ways that you can not only get involved with the community, meet new networking sources, but also enjoy your winter break doing something you love. On the Butler website there are options for every major and every field of interest at UMiami. For instance:

Art Majors
• Art Studio of Miami
• Gold Coast Theater
• GableStage
• Miami Art Museum

Science Majors may be interested in working at
• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
• Baptist Hospital
• Action for AIDS, Inc.
• Children's Cancer Fund

Pre-Law Majors may be interested in
• Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project
• Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
• Juvenile Justice Center School
• Legal Services of Greater Miami Inc.
• Guardian Ad Litem

Pre-Veterinary Majors may be interested in
• Miami-Dade Animal Care and Control Services
• Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
• Adopt- A- Pet

Where's the Stuffing? Part 1

2010-12-07T14:52:00.002-05:00

Written By Priyanka Surio

How to make the most of your Winter Break

As University of Miami students, we get all the perks of a great school in academics, research, and athletics. We also enjoy a month and a half of winter vacation where we get to eat turkey, celebrate holidays with our families and relax. But this long break also finds students feeling anxious, bored and yearning to do something productive. So why not make the most of your five weeks at home!?

There are a multitude of opportunities, which include:

Traveling – getting an opportunity to travel abroad and explore other cultures
Learning – taking winter intersession classes
Preparing - getting ready for graduate schools, applications, tests (MCAT, GRE…)
Experience - gaining real world experience through internships and jobs
Service - giving back to the community and making an impact

Traveling:

If you plan on traveling abroad, first look at places that you find appealing from which you feel you could gain the most. Look into whether you have friends or family there. Find cheap tickets as soon as possible. Talk to the study abroad office on campus and receive advice on the different options you have. While you are abroad, look into the different fields and organizations that you are interested in and interact with the professionals working there; you are building your international network!

Study Abroad Office
International Education and Exchange Programs
Telephone: 305 284 3434

Cheap Flight Tickets

Toppel’s Resources
Create an account with CaneZone and browse through Going Global for internships or job opportunities abroad that fall into the time frame and place you will be visiting.

Learning:

Intersession Classes
UM offers countless Winter Intersession and Spring Break Intersession classes for those wishing to gain a head start in their college career.
Why else should you take an intersession course?
•Topics not normally offered during regular semesters
•Getting individual quality time with distinguished faculty members
•Sharing knowledge with other students

Check out the following webpage for more information http://www6.miami.edu/intersession/

Contact Information:
For on campus and domestic travel courses:
Sam Postigo and Carol Wilson
(305)284-6600
Sap.cstudies@miami.edu

For International faculty led travel courses:
IEEP office: (305)284-3434
ieep@miami.edu

What are the dates for InterSession/Spring Break?
InterSession: January 3-15, 2011
Spring Break: March 12-20, 2011

On the webpage is also a Quick Glance Brochure that will list all the courses, the school or subject area, the professor teaching, and the dates/times of the course.

Where's the Stuffing Part 2

2010-12-06T14:27:00.005-05:00

Written by Priyanka Surio

Preparing:

Test Prep
Test takers, let Kaplan be your Study Prep for any important test coming up from the LSAT to the GMAT.
You thought Black Friday had deals, this holiday season, Kaplan reiterates its higher score guarantee through offering a plethora of test prep and review material at discounted prices.

Access their webpage to find out what deals and courses/materials they have available.
Kaplan
Get a head start on your competition now while you can.
Use this holiday season to get started on your path to a higher score.
Prep with Kaplan's flexible online options now before your peers get moving.

Graduate Schools
IF you are applying to graduate schools already or wish to visit some beforehand to help you decide on the right school, click here for tips and advice on how to prepare yourself for these visits.
Visit GradSchools.com to get the inside scoop on what to do before applying, what tests you will need for specific schools, how to apply and tips for your application, and further advice on what to do once in Graduate School.

Toppel’s Resources
Visit our main HireACane, click the Students or Alumni tab, and then click on the Graduate Schools tab.

Experience:

The “Search”
In addition to your CaneZone account create a UCAN Internship account if you wish to discover more job/internship opportunities than you can imagine. You can access the UCAN Internship page on CaneZone.

Toppel’s Resources

Be sure to refer to the Internships and Resources tabs on Toppel’s Main website.
Career LINKS: We have compiled a list of websites associated with career-related topics like healthcare, pre-law, business, etc. Select your topic of interest to see the corresponding websites.

Applying

Do not wait to apply to that summer internship, research position, study abroad experience or job. The earlier you apply the more you increase your chances of being offered your dream position. Utilize your break to research programs and opportunities and develop your application for the respective programs in your field of interest.
Be sure to get feedback on your application and any necessary personal statements or essays. Toppel has walk in hours Monday- Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to help students with their cover letters, personal statements, and resumes. Normal walk-in hours end December 15. Toppel is offering a modified schedule of walk-in advising on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. from January 3-14, 2011. Normal walk-in hours resume on the first day of classes, January 18, 2011.

Stay tuned for more of the main course next time!

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2010-11-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-22T16:27:00.001-05:00

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?

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).
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.
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.
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.
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

2010-11-21T06:00:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-18T15:09:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-17T16:37:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-15T15:01:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-14T06:00:00.009-05:00

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2010-11-07T06:00:00.009-05:00

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

2010-11-03T15:33:00.000-04:00

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.

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2010-10-31T06:00:00.015-04:00

Career Programs
CANE Explorers: Gaining Internship Experience
Thursday, November 4, 6:30 p.m.
Toppel Career Center

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.

Career Fairs and Events
Green Career Fair
Monday, November 1 to Friday, November 5
Virtual Fair on CaneZone
Click for more information

Toppel Program Schedule
Internships 101 - Frits Bigham
Monday, October 25, 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 11, 2:00 p.m.

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

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette - Megan Garber
Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.

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

Interviewing Skills
Tuesday, November 2, 4:00 p.m. (Frits Bigham)
Wednesday, November 10, 4:00 p.m. (Megan Garber)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Friday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)

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

2010-10-24T06:00:00.020-04:00

Career Programs
Careers in Marine and Atmospheric Science and Policy
Thursday, October 28, 6:00 p.m.
RSMAS Campus Auditorium

Career Fairs & Events
Road Trip Nation
Wednesday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Rock

Non-Profit and Government Career Fair
Wednesday, October 27, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
UC Lower Lounge
Click for more information

CANE Explorers: Gaining Internship Experience
Thursday, November 4, 6:30 p.m.
Toppel Career Center

Green Career Fair
Monday, November 1 to Friday, November 5
Virtual Fair on CaneZone
Click for more information

Toppel Program Schedule
Internships 101 - Frits Bigham
Monday, October 25, 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 11, 2:00 p.m.

Alternative Options After Graduation - Frits Bigham
Thursday, October 21, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 9. 4:00 p.m.

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette - Megan Garber
Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.

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

Interviewing Skills
Friday, October 22, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)
Tuesday, November 2, 4:00 p.m. (Frits Bigham)
Wednesday, November 10, 4:00 p.m. (Megan Garber)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Friday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)

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

Etiquette Dinner: Expanding Our Horizons

2010-10-22T16:22:00.000-04:00

Written by Pallavi Pal

There is always space for improvement and even though we do our utmost to be the best tool for students. Many times we are critiqued for only catering to one or a few career fields. In the spirit of raising the bar and being the best, we are working on expanding our reach to students of normally underrepresented career fields and majors.

That is why at the most recent Etiquette Dinner, Toppel not only partnered with Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) to further reach out to students of underrepresented backgrounds but also established Pre-Law and Pre-Dental tables for students in pre-professional fields to be able to network and interact with those who have been successful in their fields.

Many times we hear feedback that business students and engineers benefit the most from the Career Center’s resources so this time we decided to expand to pre-professional fields for the students’ benefit.

Along with the apparent goal of teaching how to interact with employers in a dining environment, Toppel and MSA encouraged students to diversify their experiences by networking with other employers outside of their fields prior to the start of the Etiquette Dinner. This is a great way to practice interacting with employers and also gain a broader understanding of the career world.

We had a great turnout of both employers and students and we encourage further collaboration with MSA to give UMiami Students a well-rounded and encompassing experience. Stay tuned to more updates from Toppel and RSVP to the Etiquette Dinner for next Fall!

Right-click "View Image" to see full-size.

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

2010-10-17T06:00:00.012-04:00

Career Programs
CANE Explorers: Creating Your Resume
Monday, October 18, 5:30 p.m.
Toppel Career Center

Etiquette Dinner
Sponsored by Toppel and Multicultural Student Association (MSA)
Tuesday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.
* Registration required on CaneZone under Events

Business and Government
Wednesday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.
Toppel Career Center

Careers in Marine and Atmospheric Science and Policy
Thursday, October 28, 6:00 p.m.
RSMAS Campus Auditorium

Career Fairs & Events
Road Trip Nation
Wednesday, October 27, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Rock

Non-Profit and Government Career Fair
Wednesday, October 27, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
UC Lower Lounge
Click for more information

Toppel Program Schedule
Internships 101 - Frits Bigham
Monday, October 25, 3:00 p.m.

Alternative Options After Graduation - Frits Bigham
Thursday, October 21, 4:00 p.m.

Advanced Networking and Dining Etiquette - Megan Garber
Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.

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

Interviewing Skills
Friday, October 22, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)
Tuesday, November 2, 4:00 p.m. (Frits Bigham)

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing
Thursday, October 21, 5:00 p.m. (Edward Cruz)
Friday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. (Alicia Rodriguez)

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

Most Valuable Intern Contest

2010-10-14T15:34:00.004-04:00

Written by Pallavi Pal

Did you do an internship this summer? Do you feel that you contributed a lot and made a difference in your internship? The Most Valuable Intern Contest awarded these interns that had fulfilling internships. Wednesday October 13, 2010 at 6:30PM at the Toppel Library is where the contest was held.

The turnout was great and the enthusiasm much appreciated. The student interns that presented were truly outstanding. From a Parliamentary intern to interns working for CBS, the students that presented had much to say. Some were in charge of working on briefs for Congressional offices, others pitched story ideas to newscasters, and still others worked under the direction of classical music stars.

The wide variety of internships and responsibilities that these students have really show that the University of Miami breeds talented young professionals. Their potential can be molded in the right direction and that’s what the Toppel Career Center is here for.

Make sure to keep this contest in mind as it will be a recurring annual program for years to come. Toppel wants to reward and show its appreciation for the student interns that have gone over and beyond the responsibilities at their jobs. Some of the prizes this year were a $75 gift card to the UM Bookstore for the grand prize winner and $20 gift cards to the Rathskeller as well two $20 gift cards for the first and second runner ups.

Congratulations to this year's contestants and to the winners! Hope to see you there next year!

University of Miami Toppel Peers

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GET LINKED AND STAY LINKED

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Consulting Basics

Special FourSquare Promotion

Microsoft Tips to Help you Edit your Document in a Flash

Why Attend a Conference?

Create The Ultimate Personal Statement: Modern Family Style

A Deadly Case of SENIORITIS

Opening Doors to Success

Good Things Come to Those Who Apply

Marlo Wyant with her parents after accepting the Vestas Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year Award

Daniel Castillo and Marlo Wyant after presenting at Go Green in the City to Schneider Electric in Paris, France

Marlo Wyant enjoying the scenery of Paris, France

TOPPEL IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!

Kick Off the Year Right!

How to Weather the Storm like a Hurricane

Toppel featured in The Miami Hurricane!

HEAT up your Career with a Life in Sports

Career Advisors Having Fun?

Don't Get Beat: Experience Virtual Career Fair in Solo High Definition

Slumdog Millionaire your way to Scholarships

The Office Shows You How to Make The Most of Your Internship

Summer Internships are Still Available!

Running on Battery Acid Part 2

Toppel Peer Advisor, Jesse Cortes, and Director, Christian Garcia, on CBS4

Running on Battery Acid Part 1

Congrats Class of 2011! Graduation Check List

Looking Back…

The Inception of Cover Letter Writing

Jam Your Way to A Perfect Resume

My First Weeks at Toppel

Born This Way: Join the Glee Club!

Employment, Mafioso Style

Student and Alumni Career Symposium

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Financing your Study Abroad

Interview Fight Club

Success Beyond UM: Nicki Marko, Former Peer Advisor

The Job #Winning Tao of Charlie Sheen

Virtual Internship Opportunity

Being a Virtual Intern

RCIF “From the Lab to the U”

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Week

The Law School Waiting Game!

Daniela and Claire gave out LOTS of pizza at the Majors and Minors Fair!

Applying for Internships / Jobs Checklist

Toppel Events for the Upcoming Weeks

Want to Practice your Interviewing Skills?

Apply Now to be a Toppel Peer Advisor!

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Toppel Snuggie Fridays

Where's The Stuffing: Part 3

Where's the Stuffing? Part 1

Where's the Stuffing Part 2

Thanks To Everyone Who Has Shared and Read

Here's To 10,000 Views and 10,000 More