Gabriella Pinos/Assistant Entertainment Director
Six years ago, Darren Gregory became the assistant director for the Career and Talent Development Department at FIU. However, he has been passionate for helping others for as long as he can remember.
“I like helping students, and I like the idea of career development and helping students from the beginning of the process all the way through graduation,” said Gregory.
Gregory graduated from FIU with a master’s degree in social work in 2007 after obtaining his bachelor’s in the same field, and he began working in the department soon after. Since then, he has used his degree to give advice to the students who were once in his shoes.
“I’ve always been interested in helping people in some form or another because I have had a lot of people help me along the way, and it’s also a good way to give back,” said Gregory.
In his position, Gregory guides students, especially sophomores and juniors, in choosing their major. He is also the administrator for career assessments such as the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator. His favorite part of the job, however, is interacting with students and tapping into their passions.
“When we have, for example, a career conversation in our counseling or coaching session, it’s not just about what courses we want you to take, it’s about finding out what your passionate about and being able to transfer that into your four-year or six-year degree,” said Gregory.
Like Gregory, other staff members in the Career and Talent Development Department who have “walked the FIU path” guide students through college. Camila Vazquez, a senior majoring in liberal studies, works part-time as a peer career coach, where she reviews and edits students’ resumes and cover letters.
“It’s a simple type of job, but it’s not easy in the sense of formatting and making sure everything is perfect for that employer or institution,” said Vazquez.
Vazquez came to FIU from Puerto Rico in January 2018 with a background in education, which motivated her to join the department in Summer 2018.
Throughout her time in the department, Vazquez said connecting with students has allowed her to gain professional experience and develop in her career.
“It’s not just providing students with a professional development, but we also acquire those skills, so we’re also teaching ourselves,” said Vazquez.
While most students go to the department for resume coaching, some students ask about in-campus jobs or advice on connecting through clubs and associations. Vazquez said this gives the coaches and students the opportunity to make academic and social connections.
“You never know who you’re going to meet in the moment, so sometimes it’s like a networking web that we create here,” said Vazquez.
Izabelle Lindqvist, a senior majoring in international relations, also enjoys giving students advice on all things FIU as a peer career coach.
“Usually our younger students like freshmen, if they come in and they’re trying to get involved on campus, they don’t really know how to take that step forward on campus, so we help them, guide them, not just in the resume but life on campus,” said Lindqvist.
When it comes to employment, the staff in the department recommend including skills and key words within their resumes. Projects, research experience, education, awards, honors and certifications should also be included in academic resumes, according to Vazquez.
Gregory said leadership roles in student organizations, or any skills transferable to the workplace, are appealing to employers.
“They [students] should have languages that they speak, computer skills that they’re proficient in, student organizations that they’re involved in and the roles that they play in those organizations, as well as work experience, whether internship or full-time work experience,” said Gregory.
In all, however, Gregory simply hopes to help students find what they’re passionate about like he did over 10 years ago.
“[Being assistant director] allows you to be able to help them, to find their motivation, and it also allows you to be a bit of a guide to their future, hopefully,” said Gregory.
Featured photo by Gabriella Pinos and courtesy of Darren Gregory.
About Post Author
