Toppel Career Center

It's a wrap! Last week, we concluded our Fall 2024 Career Fairs with the Healthcare Career Fair, hosted in collaboration with the University of Miami - School of Nursing and Health Studies. Take a look at this article (with photos!) capturing the energy and connections made during the event. A huge shoutout to our Assistant Director of Career Events, Marissa Ocasio, for her outstanding work in planning, coordinating, and executing all our career fairs with such passion and excellence.

Meet Fadelaht Pessinaba, a senior majoring in business technology and finance with a minor in accounting! While focusing on strengthening her professional skills and expanding her network, one key experience on her journey was Toppel’s London Career Crawl. During this experience, she connected with professionals from companies like Bloomberg and Morgan Stanley. This opportunity allowed her to gain insight into the types of companies she hopes to work for and provided valuable advice from UM alumni on navigating post-grad life. These conversations inspired her to keep developing her skills and clarified her career path. Through Toppel’s practice interviews and events with firms like PwC and KPMG, Fadelaht gained the skills needed to pursue her career goals without hesitation. Now, she approaches interviews with confidence and applies her networking abilities to open new doors. #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Meet Camila Fernandez, a senior majoring in English literature and creative advertising! Camila recently took an exciting step in her career journey by attending Toppel’s week-long London Career Crawl over Fall Break. She connected with professionals in the marketing and tourism industries, explored potential career paths, and expanded her perspective on working abroad. The experience allowed her to build valuable networking relationships while immersing herself in London’s professional scene. Reflecting on her time at UM, Camila is grateful for Toppel’s continuous support. From headshots and resume guides to career crawls, she says Toppel has been a vital part of her career preparation. These resources have given her confidence as she looks toward entering the workforce. #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Meet Ian Lee, a senior Biomedical Engineering major! Ian is dedicated to both academics and healthcare, serving as the Director of Academic Affairs in student government and working as a medical scribe in Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Infectious Disease Transplant Division. In this role, he’s collaborated closely with physicians and medical staff, helping ensure efficient patient care and training new scribes. The experience, even with early 4 AM shifts, deepened his passion for medicine and patient care. Through Toppel’s Cane2Cane platform, Ian secured his first research assistant position as a freshman, which opened doors to more opportunities in healthcare. He credits resume reviews and workshops with broadening his career perspective and providing valuable skills to build on. #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Meet Andrea Godoy, a fourth-year student in the Biomedical and Industrial Engineering BS/MS 5-year program! Andrea’s industry experience spans top companies and impactful research. At Medtronic, she contributed as a Research & Technology Intern, working with implantable cardiac monitors. Her most recent role was at Stryker, where she focused on the MAKO orthopedic surgical robot. Since her sophomore year, Andrea has also been researching vagus nerve stimulation for spinal cord injury patients at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Andrea credits the Toppel Career Center for connecting her with alumni and providing resources like career fairs, panels, and workshops. She highlights the importance of using networking tools like Cane2Cane and Toppel’s resources to seize opportunities and grow professionally. #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Meet Aly Gómez, a senior double majoring in Communications and International Studies with a minor in Journalism! Aly recently interned as an Event Coordinator with the Miami Marlins during the Serie del Caribe, where she gained hands-on experience in logistics, adaptability, and problem-solving. By focusing on expanding her professional network, Aly has fostered relationships with colleagues and connected with professionals from Inter Miami, the Miami Heat, and the Marlins, which led to multiple internship offers. Aly credits the Toppel Career Center for helping her become career-ready by offering valuable resources and feedback to strengthen her resume. She also attended Toppel's career fairs, which helped her network and perfect her elevator pitch. #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Meet Lucia Moglia, a pre-law junior majoring in International Studies and Global Health Studies with a minor in Creative Writing! Lucia is actively involved on campus, serving as an e-board member for The Miami Hurricane, WVUM, and the Miami International Relations Association. She also works as a research assistant, analyzing Indigenous rights, with a focus on youth Indigenous activists and their contributions to causes like climate action. Through Toppel, Lucia has attended panels with several employers such as the FBI and Peace Corps, and has utilized resources like resume editing, interview tips, and networking workshops to become career-ready. She appreciates Toppel’s ability to connect current ‘Canes with alumni, offering invaluable career advice. Most recently, she served as our Student Leader at the Career Crawl in DC this semester! #HireACane #KeepinIt100

We are so proud of Abolaji (BJ) Oke, one of our Student Leaders at the London Career Crawl this semester.

Meet Sophia Plancich, a senior majoring in Ecosystem Science & Policy and International Studies, with minors in Art and Geography! Sophia has gained a wealth of experience as a research assistant to Dr. Haoluan Wang, co-authoring a paper on urban inequities and food deserts. She also interned at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where she worked on an independent GIS project, which she presented at the Southern Regional Science Conference. Additionally, Sophia contributed to the Xavier Cortada Foundation, using art to promote social engagement around climate change. As a transfer student, Sophia made the most of UM’s resources, using Toppel for resume, cover letter support, and headshots, while attending many career events. She attended the Career Crawl in NYC in the Spring semester and just returned from participating as a student leader at our London Career Crawl last week! #HireACane #KeepinIt100

Our team wants to welcome Olivia Baker, our new Assistant Director of Coaching & Outreach at the Toppel Career Center. After 3 years of working in student-centered roles, connecting with students across the US and Spain, Olivia is excited to bring her global perspective and passion for supporting students to achieve their highest potential to the Toppel Career Center. Olivia is a University of Miami alum!