On Oct. 29, dreams, passion and purpose filled the atmosphere at the Career and Leadership Conference at Barry University. The conference that took place in the Broad Auditorium, provided students with the opportunity to learn from community leaders.

The event commenced with a panel that featured speakers such as Dr. Steve Gallon III from District 1 School Board Member for Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Dr. James Bush III, a member of Florida Commission on Ethics; and Courtney Guzman, the senior vice president at Bank of America.

Victoria Mbadiwe, a senior majoring in vocal studies, was one of the many students who attended the event.

“I feel like this conference helped me in my career ahead to know that number one, to be determined, to always keep that mindset to keep going forward regardless of what people say. Number two, to have a good support group around you because that goes a long way toward your career,” she said.

Following the panel, the conference offered four expert-led, career-specific sessions that included: Beyond the Game: Business, Leadership, and Opportunities, Inside the White Coat: Navigating Medicine, Leadership, and Service, From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Building a Career in Law and Justice and From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Building a Career in Law and Justice.

Leading the sessions were: Clara Stroude Vazquez, Chief of Culture and Inclusion at Miami HEAT; Dr. Shane Williams, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine NSU, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine; the Honorable Lizzet Martinez, County Court Judge at Miami-Dade County; and Paola Hernandez, Senior Vice President People and Engagement of United Way Miami

The conference concluded with a tabling from non-profit organizations that provided service learning opportunities for Barry University students.