Wanted: Motivated student career coaches

Mary Gorski remembers students walking into the Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami.

Exactly eight months ago she was similarly terrified.

But now, as Toppel’s career coach, Gorski is no stranger to helping students build resumes, write cover letters, and even explore the careers they want to pursue. She is part of the team of student coaches and serves as the first point of guidance for classmates looking for Toppel’s support to find a job, an internship, or simply to learn about the Center’s many resources.

“I love helping people and I love teaching, so after each session they say, ‘This was very helpful.’ I really enjoy that.” said Gorski, a third-year architecture student.

Now Toppel wants to hire more student coaches like Gorski. Joba Odedilan, Toppel’s assistant director of coaching and outreach, plans to provide information sessions over the next two weeks to student applicants who are expected to become career coaches next fall. Technically, coaches in Years 2 and 3 must attend a 40-hour paid training session each August. They are also expected to be in Toppel about 8-10 hours a week for drop-in coaching, and can also take hours remotely during the summer and breaks.Coachs are paid $12 an hour Earn.

“Our career coaches add new insight into issues that may arise every day and bring a student perspective because they make a first impression on the students who come to Toppel every day,” said Odedilan. “We train them, so they are well equipped to support and guide each student on any topic.”

Career coaches, of course, are part of Toppel’s staff, which includes employees who specialize in various industry areas, and can provide students with information that coaches cannot. However, Toppel staff appreciate the fact that coaches offer a friendlier option.

“Sometimes it’s less nerve-wracking for students to talk to other students than to staff,” Odedilan added.

Gorski says working on campus is beneficial for coaches as well. With the training she completed, Gorski learned how to navigate her internship search in a more efficient and effective way for her own future. She’s already in talks with several architecture firms for a summer internship.

“I learned a lot about how to express myself professionally and advance my career. Being a career coach definitely helped me feel more confident in myself as a working professional. “It helped,” she said. “This set me up in a good way to move forward.”

To learn more about becoming a career coach, attend Toppel’s informational session. Wednesday, January 25th, 4-5pm or Monday, January 30th, 6pm to 7pm handshakewhich is free to all college students.