Employer Engagement

As the Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Support with Career and Talent Development (CTD), Efigenia supports employer partners in recruiting Florida International University (FIU) students and alumni. She provides leadership for career fairs and all employer events, support companies with internship programs and recruiting full-time positions. Prior to joining CTD at FIU, Efigenia worked for the American Red Cross supporting the Hurricane Recovery Program.

Efigenia grew up in the Bronx, NY where she attended high school. She went on to attend SUNY at Stony Brook University, where she earned Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She continued her education and received her master’s degree from the New School University, Milano School of Management and Urban Policy.  Efigenia is also certified practitioner for MBTI, STRONG, and Gallup Strength Coach.

In her spare time Efigenia loves to read, go to the beach, and travel.

Top 5 Strengths
Learner, Focus, Realtor, Deliberative, Analytical

Luis Soto is a Career Specialist for the Employer Engagement Team at Florida International University’s Career and Talent Development department. He excels at creating bridges for potential employers and the FIU community. Originally from the beautiful island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, Luis accepted a scholarship to attend Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Master of Arts in Administration.

Before joining the Career and Talent Development team, Luis worked at Barry University as an admissions counselor, before taking over their records department as Manager of Undergraduate Records. Then he switched roles to Manager of Employer Relations at the Career Center until June 2020 when he joined FIU’s CTD Team. Now Luis has embraced the FIU’s mission and believes that the right career is out there waiting for all FIU graduates.

In his free time, Luis enjoys the great outdoors, working-out, cars, and most importantly, enjoying the time spent with his two boys.

Top 5 Strengths
Adaptability, Consistency, Learner, Analytical, Discipline

Rodolfo Preciado (he, him, his) is a Career Specialist at Florida International University’s Career and talent Development. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Rodolfo attended Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, where he earned a Bachelor of Art in English and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. While at Texas State University, he developed a love for education during his graduate assistantship as a Career and Financial Education Coach. He accredits his family, friends, professors, colleagues, students, and partner for helping him achieve his goal to become a first-generation college graduate.

Before joining the Career and Talent Development team, Rodolfo was a high school English teacher for three years. His classes focused on writing, rhetoric, and literature analysis. Ultimately, he decided to transition into higher education to help students overcome systemic barriers.

During his spare time, he enjoys writing his novel (a project that has been in progress for three years now). He’s also a musician, actor, and poetry enthusiast. His favorite authors include Benjamin Alire Saenz, Mary Shelley, and Stephen King. His favorite poets include Sylvia Plath, Sandra Cisneros, and Edgar Allan Poe. His favorite literary series is Harry Potter, and he prides himself on knowing almost everything about the R.M.S. Titanic.

Top 5 Strengths
Creativity, Imaginative, Passionate, Versatility, Introspective

Carmen Rosado is an Administrative Specialist in the Career and Talent Development office and part of the employer engagement team, she oversees the handshake portal by vetting employers, approving jobs, coordinating information sessions, tabling events and meeting with those employers that want to build a relationship with our Panthers. She coordinates the introduction of employers to our various college liaisons.

Before joining the Career Center team, she worked in the College of Education where she assisted with test preparations, class changes; kept a list of all the majors in the different program; assisted by setting up interviews to the EED program in education under the chair and provided clerical assistance to staff. Provided traveling, TAR, reimbursement to the staff.

During her spare time, she loves to travel and explore new gems right here in the sunshine state. Carmen volunteers as an animal advocate by educating the community to spread awareness by providing the resources available to them such as free spay/neuter, free food, and vaccination. She volunteers to transport an animal to a safe rescue group/shelter.

Top 5 Strengths
Adaptability, Positivity, Woo, Harmony, Empathy

Yoana likes to say that she bleeds blue and gold, especially since she is a two-time alumna, having graduated with her bachelor’s in social work and psychology, and later her master’s in public administration. She is currently pursuing her second masters in higher education administration.

Before becoming a Career Specialist for Internships at the Career and Talent Development department, she worked as a Student Success Coach for fully online students in the FIU Online department, supporting students through their fully online journey. Yoana has always enjoyed helping others and has worked previously in places like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, an organization dedicated to pairing caring volunteer mentors with young mentees.

In her free time, Yoana enjoys reading, collecting books, playing video games, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and writing.