Career Symposium and Expo!

By Maura Gergerich, Toppel Peer Advisor

If you are looking for information on networking and career opportunities you happen to be in luck! This week Toppel is hosting two events that aim to help you advance your future.

Wednesday February 12, Student Activities Center 12-8 pm

Learn from our successful Miami alumni and hear about how they utilized their degree for the best opportunities. You also get a chance to network with local recruiters and UM faculty and alumni. This is a one-day conference that provides an amazing opportunity to all students. For more information and to register go to: http://www.sa.miami.edu/toppel/mainsite/Students/CareerFairsandEvents/CareerSymposium.aspx

 

Thursday February 13, Herbert Wellness Center 3-7 pm

This is your opportunity to get your resume out there to future employers. There will be over a hundred companies attending looking to hire ‘Canes in all industries. You will get a chance to learn about internships, employers, full time positions, and networking.

Requirements:

• you must be a UM student or alum
• professionally dressed
• have your cane card
• have at least 20 copies of your resume

For more information and to see a list of attending employers visit: http://www.sa.miami.edu/toppel/mainsite/Students/CareerFairsandEvents/CareerExpo.aspx

What to do to Prepare?

Get your resume critiqued at Toppel so you know it’s at its finest. Walk-in advising happens Monday-Thursday from 10 am-4:30 pm. Attend as many of our programs as you can leading up to these events. You can find our calendar here. Research the companies that peak your interest so you can walk in informed and ready to go. Also, make sure you collect business cards while you are there in order to follow up after the event. 

Hope to see you all there!

Look Good, Be Thrifty

By Alysha Gomes, Toppel Peer Advisor

Too often, students spend their arm and leg on an outfit or two. Being in Miami, advertisements about the next big thing created by your favorite designer lurk around every corner.  It seems impossible to look the part without paying full price and upfront.  Well, I’m writing to tell you that’s not the case. There are plenty of resources and trade secrets that help keep your money in your wallet where it belongs.

While at the store:

1. Don’t be Specific

Sometimes it is difficult to shop for specific items at stores such as Ross and Marshalls; however, if you limit your search you will miss out on all the other amazing deals they have.

2. Shop Often & Early

To discover the best deals you need to show up before everyone else does. Often stores do not know when they will get a shipment in or what will be in it. A lazy afternoon could turn into a night out with a brand new dress or suit.

3. Practice the Buddy System

Bringing a friend or two gives you extra eyes to spot fabulous clothing. 

4. Don’t be Afraid to be thrifty

The clearance section holds awesome deals that a lot of people miss out on. Don’t spend your life’s savings on looking good. Simply be alert and know how to get the best deals. You can easily spend $200 on an appropriate business attire outfit, which was demonstrated in Toppel Career Center’s “Work It” Fashion Event on Wednesday, February 5th; however, you could bargain and cut that price in half.

Sometimes Success Means Doing the Hard Things

By Maura Gergerich, Toppel Peer Advisor

Get up earlier than you want to get up.

Everyone loves those days that you get to wake up without an alarm at whatever time you want. Unfortunately, getting an early start to the day is the way to be productive. It may be super disheartening to be up before the sun, but getting where you need to be on time without having to skip breakfast will pay off.

Give more than you get in return right away.

Starting something new in life is always scary. College comes with enough struggles and then once you move on into the “grown-up world” you have to be willing to put in as much effort as you can and more. You have to be kind to everyone even though you may not like them. Not everyone you meet will be your cup of tea, but you will most likely work with these people anyways so it makes sense to learn to do it with a smile. You will be given responsibilities and deadlines that may seem crazy but prove to your superiors as well as yourself that you can deliver results that exceed expectations.

Try and fail and try again.

Sometimes success won’t come instantly. That’s just how life is. But, picking yourself back up and taking chances will make you a valuable asset. The only true mistake is one you don’t take the opportunity to learn from.

No excuses!

Your life is your decision. Take responsibility for your actions when things go wrong and still don’t be shy to take responsibility for your success too. Be willing to step up and lead so you can keep moving forward.

You have to do the hard things. If you go through each day just skimming the surface and doing the bare minimum that’s all you will ever get out of life. Your courage to do the things that scare you will help you grow as a professional and you may even surprise yourself at how amazing you are.

Time to Laugh

By Alysha Gomes, Toppel Peer Advisor

With the beginning of the spring semester comes an immense storm of stress and confusion.
 

• Which building is my class in?
• Where do I buy my books without spending my life savings?
• When is the first assignment due?
• Can I manage to juggle a job and courses while still having a social life?

These questions and countless others crowd our mind as we sit 

through lectures on syllabuses; however, what most students forget is that college is supposed to be fun!

Taking time to laugh and simply enjoy the beautiful scenery of the University of Miami not only will cut down on stress but also improve your overall health!  After a long workout, a good hardy laugh relaxes the muscles for up to 45 minutes and can even relieve pain. Also if you need extra vitamin C, a good laugh boosts the immune system and activates antibody production.  Laughter even improves blood flow, decreasing the risk of heart attack and preventing many other cardiovascular problems.

Posted below are some sites that help me distress and improve my health that I thought I should share. Also not only should you laugh, but you should laugh with others! It doubles the health benefits, so be sure to share the sites below with your friends.

http://www.reddit.com/

http://www.theonion.com/

http://www.collegehumor.com/

http://www.fmylife.com/

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

http://www.latenightmistakes.com/