Looking Back…

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!

My First Weeks at Toppel

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!

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

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.

Advertising Yourself Like a Mad Man

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.

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.

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.”

The Job #Winning Tao of Charlie Sheen

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.

Being a Virtual Intern

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.

The Law School Waiting Game!

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!

Where's The Stuffing: Part 3

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

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

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!

Tackling the Career Fair

Written by Marlo Wyant

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

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

What is the benefit of the career fair?

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

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

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

What am I supposed to do at a career fair?

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

Success Beyond UM

Written by Claire Arritola and Priyanka Surio

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

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

Global Entrepreneurship Week Update

More information concerning Global Entrepreneurship Week we recently received.

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

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

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

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

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

Ask the Law School Expert

Written by Pallavi Pal

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

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

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

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Written by Monica Page

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Etiquette Dinner: Expanding Our Horizons

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.

Most Valuable Intern Contest

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!

Confused in Career Purgatory

Written by Monica Page

There are three types of college students:

1. The totally lost: These are the students who signed up for college to figure out what they want to do with their lives. As of right now, that plan isn't functioning at its highest ability, because these people are still totally lost. This is not our focus today.

2. The people who are 100% prepared for the world: These are the students, who were preparing for their career path in the womb. Upon birth the first thing they did was pick up a text book describing how to become "insert career path here." Again, this is not our focus.

3. The people who know what to do, but have no idea how to do it: These are the students who are in the major they want, who know exactly what they want to do with their lives, but the path from point A to point B is an endless sludge of confusion.

For the people in the third group deciding your career path is equivalent to an undeclared student given a list of all the majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and being told to "choose one." Many people don't realize that although you are decided on what you want to major in and in the field you want to work in, actually deciding on a specific job and industry is an entirely different problem.

When I tell people what I want to do with my life they usually respond with, "How?" or "With what company?" An answer like, "Oh, I want to work in sports, but I don't know how or in what area" doesn't seem to compute with many people. Of course having a general idea of a future career path is a lot better than being totally lost, but at times it can be just as bad. Mixing personal confusion with the universal confusion of people who don't understand how you can not have your life planned out does not make life easier.

The best way to get out of this "career purgatory" is to just learn as much as you can about your field and attempt to apply your selected career path to an industry. Example: if you know for a fact you want to work in law, but are not clear on what type of law, take your interests and see what types of law are involved. Like music? Look into copyright law or perhaps law involving contracts between artists.

Too many times people don't know what they want to do, but they know for a fact what they don't want to do. This can be a double edged sword in that you not only limit yourself in available opportunities, but also discredit positions in which you may enjoy yourself. In college, you have the opportunity to have internships. Signing up for an internship is not signing a blood contract with a firm binding you for life with a company. An internship is meant to be a snapshot of a position in a chosen field. Take advantage of it.

So if you're lost, just look on the bright side: you're not TOTALLY lost and you haven't been preparing for your future from the womb. Being confused allows you to look at positions with a clear mind and experiment. Some things you'll like, some things you'll hate. It's better to take chances and discover the good, bad and weird, than remain pigeon holed in one position. If you're still upset about being in career purgatory, just stalk about the freshmen office in the College of Arts & Sciences, nine times out of ten they are all fifty times more confused than you.