Why Everyone Needs to Apply for the UShadow Program

By Madison Bowden, Toppel Peer Advisor

This semester I was accepted into the UShadow Program, a very unique program offered at the Toppel Career Center. This program matches you with a professional in a field of work that you are interested in. The great part about this program is that there is no pressure that comes with an interview but you have the capability of getting to know the professional on a level of an interview and ask as many questions as you want! I got to spend the day at the office of Klique, a new application on the market. I spent the day learning from the CEO, Matt Crown and Marketing Director, Derek Du Chesne about all the ins and outs of creating such a complex application. I was also able to help brainstorm Marketing campaigns and how they are handling their launch coming in a month. This experience taught me how to address a professional setting and learn about pursuing my Marketing Career. Klique is also an innovative application that allows you to meet new people with friends by your side. Klique is one of the first apps that allows for group-to-group social networking. The wonderful Klique team had me acquainted with the app and using it the day of our meet up. I am so grateful about all I learned through the meet up and UShadow Program. Be sure to check out this app and download it! It is a great platform for socializing in groups!

Check it out:

http://www.klique.com

Get Involved, it’s important!

By Beverly Asante, Toppel Peer Advisor

This last weekend, I got the opportunity to go to Jamaica to compete in the Pan American Universities Debating Championship. Essentially, I spent five days in a beautiful Island debating.  How you ask? I got involved. I took advantage of the opportunities provided by this amazing University. I joined an organization where I felt I belonged, filled with individuals who share the same passion I do. Joining a club or a student organization is one of the best things you can do while you’re in college. Below is a few reasons why.

It looks good on your resume

Of course employers look at your grades. They matter. Of course they look at where you got your undergraduate degree, that also matters. However, a lot of students forget that employers come across countless numbers of job applicants of students who went to these amazing colleges and got these amazing grades. The point is, they see so many qualified applicants that good grades and a good college isn’t enough to get hired. It’s not even the bare minimum. What sets your application apart is your activities section. This is the section where you can include any volunteer work as well as any clubs or organizations you are involved in. Having this on your resume shows employers that you can multitask. Not only can you handle a rigorous course load but you’re also a leader outside of the classroom. Anyone can say they got good grades, but not everyone can say that they got good grades while being an intercollegiate debater, or the head of the economics club. These are the type of things that personalizes your application and gives employers a better understanding of who you are and what you like.

It becomes your second family

Everyone who knows me knows that I love to sing.  One of the biggest things I wanted to do when I first arrived on campus was join a singing group. I did and it was one of the best decisions I made. I did much more than sing. I grew a bond with these people. I was a lost freshman in August and I didn’t have many friends. The thing about clubs is that they force you to make relationships. They force you to meet new people and experience different things. What you do with those people is at your discretion. In my case, these student organization served as a great networking tool. Thus opening the door for friendships I can see myself having even after I graduate. I was surrounded by individuals who made me want to sing better, who made me think critically. Individuals who motivated me to be better. Joining a club made being in a different state away from my family bearable. It fostered a sense of community that I definitely needed at this fragile time in my life. I grew to love my fellow choristers, we connected with our voices and my heart soared knowing that there were people just like me who shared my love. Music.

If you take anything away from this post, please let it be that joining a club is a wise decision. It can be the start of friendships, it can be a great networking tool, it can even be the reason you get hired. Who knows, maybe you might share a few extracurricular activities in common with your employer.  Or the president of one your clubs might know someone who is hiring in your desired field. The point is, you will never know what opportunities lie ahead unless you actually get out and get involved.

Guide to Finding Summer Internship Housing

By Vinessa Burnett, Toppel Peer Advisor

So you’ve just landed your dream internship in a big new city and can’t wait for summer to roll around. Before you get too excited, you remember that there’s one caveat: you have to figure out where to live. As more and more companies expand their selection pool of interns to students across the country, many more students are left with the daunting prospect of searching for a place to live –often without much financial assistance or resources. This can be particularly challenging, given that most apartment complexes do not do short-term leases, and finding someone willing to sublease their place for three months can be difficult. But don’t worry, that’s where I come in. I’m here to help make the summer internship housing search process a whole lot easier!

Listed below are some of my favorite websites for finding summer internship housing, followed by some other helpful tips and tricks.

Rentler.com
Rentler is a great website when first starting your housing search. It has a simple interface and shows you exactly what you are looking for. Once you’re on the website, click the “Find all rentals” drop down menu and select “Sublease or Student Contract”. Next, select the city where your internship will be located in. A list of available options will be presented grid-style for you to choose from.

Leasful.com
Leaseful is an up-and-coming website geared specifically towards college students seeking to sublease for the summer. Simply enter the location of your internship and the dates that you will be staying. After clicking “Search”, you’ll be presented with a wide variety of subleasing options from other college students just like you.

Hotpads.com
On Hotpads, you can search for your ideal place in just a few clicks. First, type in the location of your internship and click search. A wide range of options will be presented to you on a map. To narrow your options down to just subleases, select the “More” tab at the top right and under “Listing Type”, select “Sublet.”

Sublet.com
While not as user-friendly as some of the other websites I’ve listed, Sublet definitely does live up to its name. On the home screen, simply select “Sublets”. This will take you to another page where you’ll enter the location. Once your search results appear, you’ll be able to sort and filter your results according to lease term, price, and even narrow it down to only furnished listings!

Airbnb.com
Known by travelers as a unique alternative to traditional hotels, Airbnb has grown to become much more than that. Many Airbnb hosts are open to long-term leases and most provide additional discounts for monthly rentals. If you’re curious about a particular listing, just send a message to the host!

And if you or someone you know is staying in Miami this summer...

University of Miami- Intern Housing

Summer Intern Housing at UM is a great way for interns to have flexible move-in and move-out dates and avoid the potential hassle of finding a lease/sublet for the summer. This is available to all undergraduate and graduate students who are participating in a summer internship. Many universities offer this kind of option, so if you are interning outside of Miami, this could be something to consider. For more information on UM’s Intern Housing Program, feel free to contact the Department of Housing and Residential Life at 305-284-4505.

Useful tips:
• Most major cities have Facebook groups dedicated to housing, and in particular, subleases. For example, there is a Dallas (TX) Sublets and Subleases group. To find the Facebook housing group for the city where you’ll be interning, simply enter in the search bar the name of the city, followed by either the word “housing” or “sublease.” Once in the group you’ll be able to comment on listings and interact with hosts.
• Be cautious of websites such as Craigslist that often feature scams. Do all that you can to verify the legitimacy of any listing that you come across so that you can ensure your physical and financial safety.
• Many universities and colleges offer internship housing to non-students during the summer. Be sure to reach out to local universities in the area to inquire about summer internship housing.
• Living with another intern could easily cut down costs in half. If possible, connect with other incoming interns and try to find a place to live together.

Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you in your internship housing search for the summer. The search process isn’t easy, but with the right know-how, you’ll be able to find a place in no time!

Spring Break is Here

By Madison Bowden, Toppel Peer Advisor

Spring Break is here, and while you may be planning on what beach to tan at don’t forget to walk into  the Toppel Career Center! With Spring Break coming there is also the question of “Where will I be this summer?” arising. The Toppel Career Center can help you find those last minute internships, immersion programs, and other career development programs to get your career started whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or even senior! So enjoy Spring Break but remember to check into Toppel when you return. If you have yet to stop into Toppel Career Center this year I urge you to start your journey with us! 

Here is a list of some of the many resources Toppel Career Center has to offer:

1. Counseling with a Professional Advisor (Schedule this through Handshake or come into Toppel Career Center for help)

2. Walk-In Advising any time from 9:00-4:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) where a Peer Advisor can help you get started with your Networking resources such as LinkedIn; Critique your Resume; Mock Job Interviews; familiarize you with Internship/ Job Resources 

3. Workshops for Career Development that are posted under Events on Handshake (If you are not familiar with Handshake yet I URGE you to stop into Walk-In Advising and learn all about the great things Handshake has to offer)

4. Grad School Resources and Information Sessions

5. Career Assessments that identify strengths, personality characteristics, interests, and potential career paths

6. UShadow- Shadow a Professional in a field you are interested to pursue!

Have a great Spring Break, and don’t forget to come into Toppel Career Center when you return to advance in your Career Development! 

6 Ways to Refresh Your Life Over Spring Break

By Melissa Wyatt, Toppel Peer Advisor

Trying to balance classes, extracurriculars and work is tough for any college student – so it’s no surprise that spring break is one of the most anticipated weeks of the year. While it’s important to have fun and relax, spring break is also a great opportunity to get ahead. A little bit of effort can go a long way, and preparing for what’s ahead will allow you to end your semester on a high note. Here are six easy ways to refresh your life this spring break:

1. Update Your resume

When homework deadlines are looming over your head, it’s easy to put career readiness on the backburner. With a free schedule, spring break is the perfect opportunity to update your resume. Templates and advice are available at HireACane.com, so you can accomplish this in no time! You never know when you’ll need a resume, so it’s important to keep yours updated.

2. Catch up – and get ahead!

Spend an hour or two every day catching up on class readings and getting ahead on homework assignments. A little bit of effort now will prevent many long nights in the library, especially as final papers and projects pile up in the coming weeks.

3. Organize your room and study space

It’s hard to stay focused when your notes are unorganized and laundry has piled up on your floor.  Now that you don’t have as much on your plate, take the time to organize your desk. A clean room is key to a clear mind – don’t underestimate how these small changes can make a big difference in your productivity.

4. Send in your last internship and job applications

It’s time to stop procrastinating and submit the last of your summer internship/job applications! Finish up the applications you’ve already found, and continue to seek out new opportunities. You never know what you’ll find - your dream job could be waiting.

5. Get rest

Don’t forget to treat yourself well. Be sure to get ample rest over spring break, because this will ensure that you are in tip-top shape for the rest of the semester. Having an adequate amount of sleep will also increase your overall productivity and happiness.

6. Learn something new

Have you been hoping to sharpen your Photoshop skills, but just couldn’t find the time? Use spring break as an opportunity to hone your existing skills and develop new ones. The Internet is full of online tutorials and advice to help you learn something new. Each unique skill you have makes you stand out in a job, so take this time to diversify yourself as a candidate.

These are just a few ideas to have a productive spring break – you could try your hand at volunteering, exercising, or just spending more time outdoors. Have a fun week off and enjoy unwinding from the stresses of everyday life! Don’t forget to stop by the Toppel Career Center when classes are back in session.

Failure is a prerequisite for success.

By: Beverly Asante, Toppel Peer Advisor

Everyone has to experience failure in life. It happens to the best of us. It hurts, it’s unfortunate, but it is part of what makes us human. Think about it, without failure, how would we grow? It’s the times that life kicks us while we we’re down that really allows us to appreciate it’s great moments. I know this may be difficult to hear while you’re still in battle, but just hang in there, because the sweetest victories are the ones that you fight the most to achieve. No matter where you find yourself, whether it be studying for an exam or grabbing coffee with a friend, I hope you can relate. 

Failure will occur within your college career. 

Whether it be an exam, a project, or even the class itself. Failure will come, and it doesn’t have to necessarily mean a failing grade, it can be a potential goal that you set for yourself that you didn’t quite reach. It could be something as simple as the moment you stop trying. Whatever your definition of failure is, it isn’t always a bad thing. As human beings we naturally have conflicts and to our best ability, we try different tasks to overcome these conflicts. If we fail at overcoming them, then we adjust our plan, and take a different approach.  This is how failure within our academic career should be viewed.  If you fail the first exam for example, just look at it as a test run. Take note of where you went wrong and then apply that knowledge, by adjusting your plan and ensuring success in future exams. Again, life is all about adjustments and failure all though painful, forces you to adjust until you get the results you deserve. 

Failure is good.

I’ve mentioned before that failure hurts. I mean it reealllyyy hurts. Yet, that pain is just what we need to motivate us when we are not working to our full capacity. For example, I am sure we’ve all had times where we underestimated something. Until we realized that, that something was a lot more difficult/serious than we anticipated it to be. That’s when failure comes and sneaks up behind us like a thief in the night. Again, failure although it sucks at the moment, will force us to work harder. It will motivate us to make every single moment better than our last. This is where success can be derived from failure.  Having a goal, acting on that goal, and the human ability to believe in that goal despite some little failure is what makes us who we are and is central to human advancement, and our future. 

Let your Personality Shine

By Lindsey Shanck, Toppel Peer Advisor

Even though Toppel recommends keeping resumes and social media professional and concise, there are still ways to let your personality shine through. In fact, it is very important that you come across to employers as unique so that you stand out from other applicants. Here are some simple ways to make sure you are displaying your “Personal Brand” to employers.

1. Your Resume
While it is recommended that most majors stick to a simple and professional resume format, students in the School of Communication, marketing majors, art majors, or any major where creativity is key, can spice up their resumes with unique layouts, colors and fonts. If your major recommends a simple format, adding any clubs that you are a part of or any volunteer experience you have had on a resume can show the employer that you are well rounded. 

2. Cover Letter
A cover letter has basic elements that should be included (see hireacane.com for details) but that does not mean that it has to be dry and boring! When talking about past experiences you have had, include what you personally learned from them. Also add in personal background for why you are interested in the field or company you are applying to.

3. LinkedIn
The summary section of LinkedIn is often overlooked and filled with a few redundant sentences about the student. Be creative with the summary, or talk about why you are studying what you are studying. Give people reading your profile some insight into who you are. Add your custom URL onto your resume under the contact information so that employers can learn more about you.

4. Facebook and Other Social Media
Instead of changing your name on your Facebook to something unrecognizable, use your social media platforms to your advantage and clean them up so that if employers were to find your accounts, they would project positivity and maturity.