In an undergraduate’s professional journey, internships are vital bridges to the next phase of their careers.
Jordyn Desir said she is certain the opportunities afforded to her in the past are the cause for the openings she has today. When she accepted a paid internship at Trinity Hospital (formerly St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital) last summer, she wasn’t sure how she was going to pay for the additional costs associated with the move to Michigan.
Thanks to support from the University of Miami Toppel Career Center’s Internship Fund, through the generosity of members of the University of Miami Parents Council, Desir was able to complete the internship with no financial strains.
“The internship didn’t pay us in full until the end of the summer, and the funds I was awarded were made available prior to me leaving for Michigan,” said Desir, a native of St. Lucia. “I was here in the United States on my own and the money helped me purchase food and business apparel.”
Today, Desir, a senior majoring in health management and policy in the Miami Herbert Business School, encourages her peers to apply for the Toppel Internship Fund (TIF) because it empowers undergraduates like herself to excel. Upon graduation, Desir will be starting a full-time position with the Helio Health Group as a pharmaceutical consulting specialist.
“My internship experience was an enrichment to my academic resume, and I’m pretty sure it contributed to why I was given this job opportunity,” said Desir.
Created five years ago to support undergraduate students as they pursue high-quality internships that foster their career exploration by reducing financial challenges, the TIF services students like Desir to make internships more financially feasible.
Students who apply for the TIF must have an internship offer (paid or unpaid) and the student must be enrolled in the Toppel Internship Program (TIP), one that provides a free way for students to gain academic credit. Additionally, the student also must submit supplemental documentation—including a learning contract with information about the internship, budget expenses, an updated resume, and answers to essay questions.
‘‘The goal and mission of TIF is to help University of Miami undergraduate students take advantage of great opportunities as they apply for summer internships. Many students aren’t able to take on internships that are unpaid or low pay and this fund can help with expenses such as travel, housing, and utilities,” said Marlon Bermudez, assistant director of career services, who oversees both the TIP and TIF programs.
“Last year, 36 recipients were awarded funding ranging from $500 to $3,000 per student,” said Bermudez. “Applications are open from March 20 to April 21, so it will be open a little over a month and decisions will be made by May 12.”
