More than 100 students from Florida International University (FIU), Georgia State, Miami Dade College, University of Miami and University of South Florida plus representatives from 12 area employers recently chose to spend a springtime Saturday at the ALPFA 2012 Miami Regional Student Symposium held on the FIU campus.
The theme was part of the draw: Leveraging preparation as a pathway to success to develop the professional business leader in you.
Opening remarks led into a panel discussion on how young professionals can best demonstrate leadership. Panelists came from the CIA, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, LINQ Financial Group, McGladrey & Pullen LLP and Prudential.
In the afternoon, attendees chose from among four workshop sessions. Topics focused on building your brand, paving the way to clear communications, pursuing a business academe career and how adaptability and learning skills trump technical skills. The event wrapped up with a career fair.
Positive feedback abounds.
“I received excellent feedback from the recruiters, many who stayed beyond the allotted time,” said Carmen Cardenas, national director of student affairs, ALPFA National Office. “It was great to see the students so heavily engaged in the interview process.”
Kevin Zamora, president, ALPFA FIU, received great feedback from students about every aspect of the symposium. He describes the networking opportunities as “excellent.”
A key takeaway for Zamora?
“For many professionals in attendance, what they do now was not always their first career choice. But in the end, it worked out for the better because they were not afraid to take a chance.”
FIU takes on significant role in hosting the symposium.
Members of the executive board for FIU’s student chapter took a leadership role in every aspect of the symposium—from pre-event planning to event-day logistics. Tessie L. Brunken (MST ’86, BBA ’81), administrative director, College of Business Administration’s School of Accounting, helped every step of the way.
“I was more than impressed with their efforts,” said Cardenas. “I often cite FIU as an exemplary chapter—one that serves as a model to other campus chapters across the nation.”
