Maximize Your Summer Vacation

By Alexis Musick, Toppel Peer Advisor

With finals only one week away, career development is the last thing on any college student’s mind. Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: summer vacation. While the ever-anticipated break is more often a source of fun and relaxation, it too can be a period of productivity. Summer break is the perfect time to develop new skills, take part in interesting experiences to build your resume, and further your personal and professional development. Here are four tips on how to make the most of your summer vacation.

1. Find a summer job relating to your career goals. Taking part in a part- or full-time job over the summer is almost always a rewarding experience. Not only does it give you an opportunity to pay off loans, afford rent, or stash a little cash in your back pocket for personal spending, but it also is an excellent way to start forging valuable connections as you gain experience in your field of interest. There are thousands of possibilities: Biology major? Check out field technician positions with an environmental company like Clarke. Plan to go into Computer Science? Don’t be afraid to embrace what you may consider a “lower-tier” job like Best Buy’s Geek Squad or a customer service position at a local tech score. A quick Google search can help reveal all of the possibilities.

2. Get an internship. Generally, while internships feature less (or no pay) compared to a regular job, they offer a more hands-on experience where you are able to work in a more technical, specific, or higher-level setting. Visit Handshake, Toppel’s career management system, which contains a database of internships that you can apply for directly on the system. Once you log in (with the same UM log-in information you use everywhere else), take a look at the lefthand column and click the section that says “Internships.” You can filter the hundreds and hundreds of results by things like location or employment type and find the internship you’ve been looking for!

3. Volunteer. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills that you can use in a job or internship. For instance, a student studying political science might benefit from volunteering with a legal clinic or community health center. The knowledge you accumulate and your demonstrated commitment to community service may give you a leg up when compared to other applicants who may have focused only on “professional” involvements.

4. Start networking and building connections. One way to get your name out there within your field of interest is by creating a LinkedIn profile (or polishing it up if you already have one). If you meet professionals at a career fair or during an interview, you can invite them to connect with you. Having recruiters or individuals within a company recognize your name upon application is a huge benefit; alternatively, the people you connect with might be the ones who can recommend you for a position elsewhere. Stop by Toppel from 9:00am to 5:00pm to meet with a Peer Advisor and have your LinkedIn profile critiqued!

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

By Marian Li, Toppel Peer Advisor

You’ve moved into your new house, but the water’s not working, your storage is nowhere to be found, and your food is mysteriously disappearing from the refrigerator although your roommate swears they haven’t touched any of your food. All you want is for it to be the weekend, where you have enough time to play catch up. Job-hunting may be the furthest thing on your mind; you might want to think again and re-prioritize.

In the ideal world, every candidate who applies for a job has the same likelihood of landing the opportunity based on qualifications; sadly, that’s not the case in reality. According to recent research, more than one-fourth of jobs are filled with candidates who applied early within the first few days of posting. So what’s the moral of the story painted by this research? Apply early! Most hiring managers want to hire right away since it’s fresh in their minds so getting your application in early greatly increases your chances of being chosen.

Here are some tips to get you on top of your game AND your resume to the top of the hiring managers’ list:

Network, network, network – Career centers have been tossing around this buzz word throughout your entire college career, but it’s true! When possible, seek out an internal contact within the company of interest who can put in a good word for you. As a referral, you get priority as someone who is already recommended by a staffer.

Tune in for daily updates – Many job sites, including HireACane.com have the option to automatically send out lists of newly posted job opportunities within your field of interest. When waiting for the professor to start class, maybe browse these postings rather than liking yet another Instagram post your friends recently posted.

Not all jobs are posted – Despite all the wonderful job search websites out there, some companies may not be publicly announcing positions available. If the company of interest doesn’t have any positions posted on HireACane.com (or even on their company website), don’t be afraid to shoot them a letter of inquiry indicating your interest in joining the company.

If you’ve deemed this post more stressful than helpful, BREATHE! It’s okay! As interesting as what the research factoids show, it may not apply to every situation and it definitely doesn’t show a cause and effect between being early to apply and getting hired. Go ahead and apply! If you’re lost and don’t know where to start, Toppel is always here to help.

Important Reminders for Young Professionals

By Rebecca Graffam, Toppel Peer Advisor

One year into my college career, where I have been majoring in Business Administration and minoring in napping, I am also one year into my first real “big girl” job.  Starting off at Toppel afraid to make a slight misstep, my daunting position soon turned into a promotion for taking initiative in my job and showing I can handle responsibility.  With Toppel becoming like a second home, I can now say with confidence that I am ready for my next job this summer with a real estate firm.  And I’m pretty ridiculously excited. 

While juggling school, extra-curriculars, a social life, and a job, I had a lot of people telling me to just chill out this summer.  However, I cannot stay still for long and not only decided to branch out to this job but also take summer classes in the upcoming months.  Even though I may be putting a lot on my plate for the summer, I am pretty pleased with my decision and I am eager to begin exploring new career paths. 

I am also insanely scared, because once again, I will be the new girl in a new industry. 

I’m starting over.  Again.

So, how does a college student handle so much in a year without going crazy? Bubble wrap.  Both for packing purposes for your oh-so-delicate thank you cards you will be writing up the ying-yang to potential future employers thanking them for interviews as well as an inexpensive stress reliever.  Secondly, this list of reminders for the sanity and confidence of the young professional:

1.  Age does not define you.

Just because you do not have as much experience (or as many wrinkles) as the person next to you, your youth is not your defining trait or a detriment.  Never allow anyone respect you or your work less simply because you are from a different generation.   

2.  You are valuable.

You should constantly be on the look out for learning opportunities.  Whether it is a promotion in the company for which you are working, or the knowledge that you are worth more somewhere else, always be on the lookout to grow.  Though loyalty is important, it is also important in the early stages of a job to use the period as a learning experience.  Gather information and absorb the knowledge of the people around you, but never forget how significant you are.  Remember that they are learning from you too.

3.  Be yourself. 

The best way to succeed is to be unapologetically you.  Attempting to be someone else will only hurt you in the long run.  Do not lie in an interview and do not act like someone you are not when communicating with your coworkers.  You want people to like you for you.

4.  Network. Network. Network.

You should be connecting with professionals everywhere you go.  Take all your interactions with people and absorb as much information as possible.  There is something to learn from every person you meet, and the people you meet in your career have the potential to be valuable assets in the future. 

5.  Do not be afraid to press the reset button.

Starting over after a failure means you are growing.  You will develop your professional brand and who you are as a person through trials and tribulations and hitting the reset button multiple times in your life.  When you look back on your career, you will remember how exciting and terrifying it was to get knocked down and get back up again to move on.  Keep moving forward and never stay down. 

And if you are just starting, do not forgot to remind yourself how far you are about to go.

Casting Your Networking Web

 By Marian Li, Toppel Peer Advisor

Networking is both an art and a science. In the business world, college students hear that it’s everything, just as important as internships and experience. But how can you effectively network? The best networking takes place when you don’t know the title or influence of those you are networking with, although if you did a little research beforehand, it doesn’t hurt your chances either. Most people don’t like networking because they don’t feel safe in environments where you’re forced to meet new people – especially those who may serve in roles of greater influence and power. But networking should be a fun and rewarding approach to advancement. How, you might ask? By keeping an open mind and preparing with these simple steps!

Peer Learning – While in a networking environment, you can learn a lot from others around you. The power of observation can go a long way. Pretend that you’re conducting a social experiment, the networking event as a focus group. Be aware of what works best for you and what doesn’t. Learn how to improve by observing those around you.

Be Ready – Networking can’t be forced. If you try to force it, it rarely goes anywhere. Engaging in dialogue with new people requires you to be quick on your feet and ready for responses and reactions to the conversations you partake in. If you are caught off guard, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. You are either an active networker or not, there’s nothing in the middle. It’s essential to keep your wits about you so get a good night’s rest before any large networking event!

Take Notes While You Network – Just as when you are being trained for something or preparing for a midterm, retention comes from taking good notes. Gather intelligence about yourself and others. Be diligent and take note of what you are contributing and how you can improve. In my times networking, I’ve noted that employers take notice of individuals scribbling away and it opens more doors for spontaneous conversation.

Ask Non-Traditional Questions – Get people to discover something deeper about what you know by asking them a question they wouldn’t expect. Imagine yourself as the employer; what would make you want to work for said-company?

Hold Yourself Accountable – Follow-up, follow-up, and please, follow-up! Each conversation is an opportunity and only you can gauge it. Think of yourself as a project manager responsible for identifying the new steps, who is responsible for what, and defining the outcomes and desired results. Start with a follow-up email thanking them for their time at the event you met at, maybe throw in a link to an article or update that supported something they expressed interest in. Being accountable will help sustain all the groundwork you had diligently laid down!

Be sure to attend information sessions and industry-specific meet up events Toppel has to offer in the coming weeks!

We Are Not Made For Comfort, We Are Made For Greatness!

By Koi James, Graduate Assistant

Welcome to a new school year and semester at the University of Miami! For those of you new to our orange and green family, the mere thought of entering into a new school, town, and environment may leave you feeling a bit anxious and nervous, but those feelings are perfectly normal. It is truly an exciting time, where you are surrounded by like-minded individuals, who will inspire you to be better, smarter, and stronger. However, college is not meant to be easy: it is meant to be the greatest period of personal and professional growth in a relatively short period of time (yes, those four years pass by very quickly). It is, therefore, imperative to maximize your time in college, developing your brand, building a strong network, expanding your horizons, and simply enjoying the moment. I have put together some helpful advice that I wish I was given as I began my freshman year, to ensure that you make the most of your time at the U.

Developing Your Brand

Branding is not solely for the cars we drive or the clothes we wear; each person has his or her own brand, and we develop it in the way we market ourselves. Our brand has to do with our social media presence, body language and conduct, and professional documents. It is critical to be active on social media, as technology has allowed us to be in direct contact with corporations and employers. With that said, your Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (amongst other) pages should reflect the ambitious, enterprising individuals you actually are. Employers search for candidates online, so spend some time creating a polished online personality.

Another critical aspect of branding is your professional material, which includes your résumés, cover letters, and personal statements. These documents are tangible representations of your academic and professional history, so make sure that you craft aesthetically pleasing documents that highlight your various accomplishments. Never written a cover letter or résumé before? Visit HireACane and make an appointment with a member of our team, or stop in during our walk-in advising hours and we’re happy to help you. 

Building a Strong Network

Networking goes beyond your 3,000 Facebook friends; this involves developing meaningful connections with your peers, academic advisors, professors, and experts within your field. Even though technology has facilitated communication, nothing is more effective than a face-to-face meeting with someone, where you explain to them your passion, projects and future goals. Your enthusiasm will ring true, and that personal contact will make a much bigger impression than a friend request online.

Take the time to meet with your professors, and pick their brains: they are important sources of wisdom and advice that you should take advantage of while in school. Professor Office Hours are really underutilized, and is an easy way to make meaningful connections with your professors. Additionally, Toppel offers several Meet-Ups during the school year, where you can meet with employers in your respective fields in an environment conducive to striking up a good conversation. We also facilitate on-campus recruiting and info-sessions with companies, so keep your eyes open for those events!

Expanding Your Horizons

The purpose of college is to become a well-rounded, educated individual, who is able to go on and achieve success in the professional world. A major should inspire passion and interest, but electives should not be discounted or considered irrelevant. These are the classes that add texture to your collegiate career, and expose you to material that you would not have otherwise been privy to. Therefore, take a Public Speaking, Introduction to Jazz or Religious Studies class, as these classes will equip you with skills that can complement your degree, become potential minors, or at a minimum provide you with knowledge to sound witty and intelligent at a cocktail party in the future.

Another key component to diversify your academic portfolio is school involvement. Join student organizations or clubs that speak to your passion or interest. Becoming an active member of an organization requires being cooperative, reliable and responsible, especially if you are in charge of executing a huge campus event. You learn to work on teams, create goals and realize a project to completion, which can be a source of great pride. This involvement can then be added to your résumé, and act as significant talking points during an interview or a personal statement. Also, you will meet some cool people, who can possibly become lifelong friends!

Simply Enjoying the Moment

The four years of college pass by very quickly, so even though you should maximize each moment, it is just as important to relish the experiences and memories created here. Read a book by the UC pool, lay out on the greens, or sit in front of Starbucks or the lake and have a meaningful conversation with a friend. Those moments make up the mental collage that encapsulates your time at the University of Miami. It may be difficult to find the time to do these things in between classes and extra-curricular involvement, but these moments rejuvenate your spirit and teach you lessons that cannot be learnt in the classroom.

Greatness doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s why the collegiate experience lasts a few years. To truly succeed at the University of Miami, you must be persistent, willing to stumble and get back up, and be vulnerable.  The journey will be bumpy, but you are surrounded by fellow students, advisors, and the Toppel Career Center staff that can help you achieve your goals and navigate this tricky, but rewarding, experience.

We think you’re #kindofabigdeal and are here to help whenever you are ready to walk through our doors with all of the above, so we hope to see you soon!