Miami University students learned how they can unlock their full potential at Keys to Career, a new initiative led by the Center for Career Exploration and Success.

Held on Saturday, Oct. 5, this inaugural DEI Professional Development Day gave over 100 students representing 62 majors inside knowledge on navigating their careers through the lens of identity and diverse perspectives. They also learned how to strategically network with employers, leverage alumni connections, and build cultural competencies needed to succeed in today’s global workforce.

“We launched Keys to Career to give students a new space to explore how they can leverage their diverse experiences in professional settings,” said Jen Benz, assistant vice president of the Center for Career Exploration and Success. “We had a wonderful mix of students attend our inaugural event. It was rewarding to watch them engage with alumni, employers, and campus community members from diverse backgrounds. When you walked around the Armstrong Student Center Pavilion, you heard so many different stories. I’m excited to see how this event will evolve in the coming years.”

The day opened with the “My Experience Matters” Student Showcase. Students who have engaged in experiential learning during their time at Miami presented posters on a wide range of topics, including “NASA: Sustainable Flight Thermal Technologies Intern,” “Researching the Black Women of Oxford,” and “Shooting for the Stars: My Road to Medical School.” Political Science major Arianna Vondrak ’27 was crowned the top presenter with a project entitled “Into the Successful Life of a Black Pre-Law Student.”

Students next engaged with Miami alumni and employer partners in breakout sessions on internships, navigating professional settings, and networking. At lunch, they learned from keynote speaker Akosua Boadi-Agyemang. A 2022 18 of the Last 9 Honoree, Boadi-Agyemang ’19 shared how her belief in the Southern African concept of Ubuntu, “I am because of who we are,” has shaped her commitment to championing inclusion, growth, and the power of shared experiences in communities. She also discussed her work at Microsoft HQ as Senior Experiential Marketing Manager for Global Events.

“This professional development day was meant to inspire,” said Shayna Smith, interim director of career education and inclusion. “We wanted to provide historically underserved populations with keys and actionable steps to level the playing field when it comes to their career journeys. To foster community, we included alumni and employers who represented the identities present. We’ll remain committed to identifying career paths for students that speak to the uniqueness and intersectionality of their identities.”

The Center for Career Exploration and Success also presented its first two Major Key Awards for dedicated service to Miami students in support of professional development. Carolyn Craig, director of inclusive excellence strategies and initiatives in the College of Arts and Science, and Keisha Norris, associate director of advising and student initiatives in the College of Engineering and Computing, were recognized for continuously providing major keys to career success to the students they support.

The day concluded with a networking session, allowing students to build relationships with representatives from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The E.W. Scripps Company, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Wasserman, and more.

“This was a great event,” said Giade Ensley ’24, a workshop presenter who is interning at Wasserman while completing her M.S. in Sports Leadership at Miami. “Initiatives like this encourage alumni to give back to the Miami community. Sharing my journey with students who may be interested in sports allows me to make an impact on campus and beyond.”

Keys to Career was presented by the Center for Career Exploration and Success with support from the Government Relations Network and the Office of Aspire. The sponsoring student organizations were the Arts and Science Multicultural Association (ASMA), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Delta Chapter, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).