Nearly one month into the Spring 2022 semester, the realization that graduation and summer internship season are essentially around the corner is leaving many students on the hunt for future opportunities.
This semester, the University of Miami’s Toppel Career Center continues to serve students virtually and in person with a variety of helpful programming that will connect them to employers who are looking to hire students for full-time or internship positions. Toppel's programming includes various career fairs.
“It’s never too early to attend one of our career fairs. Many of the employers we invite are not just looking for seniors or someone who’s ready to graduate, but they may be looking for a sophomore or junior to grant an internship,” said Lolisa Torbert, Toppel’s assistant director of career events. “It’s free to students, so this is a great resource to take advantage of and to get practice meeting employers.”
For the best experience, Torbert recommends students come dressed professionally (for virtual and in-person events) and be prepared with resumes geared to companies and positions they are seeking. To attend, students need to register via Handshake before each fair.
The first event of the semester, the International Student Career and Internship Fair, is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9 and it will be virtual. More than 20 vendors are expected to be in attendance. The fair is open to international students looking to learn more about the optional practical training and curricular practical training processes (different types of employment authorization that international students may be eligible to use). There also will be information about Interstride, a portal to support job-seeking international students.
The Job and Internship Expo—normally Toppel’s largest event of the semester with more than 95 employers registered—is scheduled for in-person settings on Feb. 23. Torbert explained that to accommodate everyone and to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s event will be spread out in the Watsco Center and The Fieldhouse.
“We are excited to offer some in-person and some virtual options this semester to meet the needs of all of our students,” said Torbert. “We are remaining mindful of the University’s protocols and are committed to keeping everyone safe.”
The following is Toppel Career Center’s lineup of events for the semester.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 12 p.m.
International Student Career and Internship Fair (virtual)
Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m.
Break Thru Meet-Up: Diversity Recruiting (virtual)
Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m.
Job and Internship Expo (in-person)
Thursday, March 3 (in-person), and Friday, March 4 (virtual), at 1 p.m.
Architecture Career Fair
Register for in-person event.
Thursday, March 24, at 12 p.m.
oSTEM Career Fair (virtual)
Monday, March 28, at 4 p.m.
Student-Athlete Career Fair (in-person)
Wednesday, April 6, at 4:30 p.m.
Communication, Media, and Entertainment Fair (in-person)
Wednesday, April 13, at 1 p.m.
Last Call Career Fair (virtual)
