How USF’s Center for Career & Professional Development set me on a path to success

• August 21, 2024
• Campus News, Students

By Yadyra Guzman, University Communications and Marketing

When I walked into the Selby Auditorium for my spring orientation nine months ago, I felt uncertain of my future. I was transferring to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee from State College of Florida to pursue a bachelor's degree in marketing. In addition to excelling academically, I knew I also needed to gain professional experience to prepare for life after USF. I wanted to work in sports marketing, but I had no idea how to attract potential internships. Questions lingered. How would I craft a strong resume and cover letter without any work experience? How would I start to build a network?

As I spoke with other incoming students, I could tell I wasn't alone in this feeling. Some said they didn't know how to form networks; others felt they lacked proper interviewing skills. Overall, we lacked confidence in our professional development.

Thankfully, we were in the right place.

During orientation, Career Coach Antonia Ripo introduced us to the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) and explained how she and Jessica Stephens, another campus career coach, support students at every stage of their professional development by assessing our interests, hobbies and strengths and connecting us with career opportunities.

"We work alongside students to develop a vision for their future, identify their distinguishing talents and make the connection that will help them achieve their career goals, whether it is jobs, internships, or graduate school," Ripo said.

I made a note in my calendar to arrange an appointment with her before the spring semester began.

In our first meeting, I shared my career goals and concerns with Ripo, who spent time getting to know me and understanding where I see myself in the future. She sympathized with my doubts and broke the job application process into achievable steps, making it less overwhelming. To start, we came up with a list of companies in the sports industry I could start forming connections with. Ripo even helped me get in touch with IMG Academy and shadow their marketing director.

With Ripo's guidance, I learned to develop a resume and cover letter that highlighted skills I had previously undervalued, including a volunteer experience organizing community events, where I gained skills in event planning, teamwork and leadership. Then, Ripo directed me to use Big Interview, a job interview training platform, that helped me develop my confidence when speaking to potential employers and preparing for upcoming interviews. Attending the Coffee and Career chat events similarly helped me meet employers and practice my networking skills.

Finally, I was ready to apply for jobs.

Using Handshake, an online career management system, I began searching for potential internships. It was through the platform that I came across an open position in the Office of University Communications and Marketing at USF Sarasota-Manatee. Feeling confident in myself, I applied all that I learned and successfully secured a position as a communications and marketing assistant.

This is my first assignment. Sharing my experience using the CCPD feels like a meaningful way to encourage other students to utilize the available resources to them.

Ripo and Stephens meet with over 300 students each semester who come to the CCPD seeking assistance drafting their resumes and cover letters, enhancing their skills and connecting with employers and internship opportunities. The CCPD also hosts Coffee and Career Chats - informal sessions held in the rotunda that provide students with an opportunity to meet and engage with professionals from different industries over coffee - and Career Shadow Day, held three times annually, where students gain hands-on learning experience like I did when I shadowed the marketing director of IMG Academy.

The CCPD is an incredible resource available to all USF students, regardless of their major. While our coursework prepares us to be subject matter experts, the CCPD is there to help us connect our newfound expertise - as well as our hobbies and strengths - to a professional career path.

Visit careers.usf.edu to explore available resources and schedule an appointment with a career coach today.