Last Friday, ILS students participated at the biennial Career Day, an exciting event where they had the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals from various fields. Students explored different career paths, gaining valuable insights and advice that could help shape their futures.
This day holds particular significance for seniors as they prepare to step into the real world, filled with endless opportunities. Career Day plays a vital role in inspiring and shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
This year’s event featured a keynote presentation from renowned businessman Rodney Barreto. A Cuban-American who grew up with 11 siblings, Mr. Barreto attended Miami-Dade College before continuing his education at Barry University. At just 19-years-old, he became a police officer for the City of Miami.
Today, he and his wife, Sheila, have two daughters, Brittney and Brad, and three granddaughters.
Throughout his career, Mr. Barreto has achieved numerous accomplishments, including serving as the President of Barreto Hospitality Group, chairman of the Super Bowl Host Committee, and a three-time appointee to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ms. Cristina Ramirez, Media Department, had the opportunity to interview him.
Ms. Ramirez: Today, there’s a high interest in attending Ivy League and other competitive schools. However, what stands out about your journey is that you attended local schools (MDC and Barry University) and still achieved tremendous success.
Mr. Barreto: Well, I’m one of 11 kids, so I had to pay for my own education. My advice is not to get caught up in which college you attend. Many graduates put too much pressure on themselves and end up working extremely hard just to pay off student loans. To me, success is more about who you know in life, not just what you know.
A piece of advice I always share with students is not to stress about figuring out what you want to do in life too early. You’re too young to have it all figured out. When the right opportunity crosses your path, you’ll know.
Ms. Ramirez: What motivates you?
Mr. Barreto: My biggest motivation is giving back to my community—not just financially, but with my time. It’s time-consuming, but it allows me to connect with people from all walks of life. I enjoy seeing my city shine and helping put our best foot forward.
After the keynote presentation, students had the chance to connect with professionals and learn more about potential career paths. For Royal Courier editors, in particular, it was an insightful experience as they spoke with local police officers and veterinarians, who highlighted their roles in community service and animal health.
Additionally, students had the opportunity to learn more about the veterinary career path from Dr. Jade Echagarrua, a Mixed Animal Veterinarian who runs her own practice, Veterinary Specialists Inc.
Veterinary medicine is a demanding yet deeply rewarding profession that requires both scientific expertise and strong emotional resilience. Veterinarians play a crucial role in animal healthcare, from performing life-saving surgeries to providing routine checkups and preventative care. The field offers a variety of specialties, including small animal care, large animal medicine, and even wildlife conservation.
After graduating from ILS, Dr. Echagarrua attended FIU on a pre-med track. However, she later decided to transfer to UF, where she began volunteering at an animal clinic. For her, this experience was a turning point—it not only provided essential hands-on training but also helped her discover her true passion for veterinary medicine.
During Career Day, Dr. Echagarrua received many questions about euthanasia and how she copes with the emotional toll of frequent animal loss. She shared that over time veterinarians become somewhat desensitized to the process, learning to see it as a way to prevent an animal from enduring unnecessary suffering.
“It’s heartbreaking to put down an elderly man’s dog whom he’s had for 15 years, but sometimes there’s nothing else you can do to help. Euthanasia is a way to ensure an animal’s life ends peacefully, without pain or discomfort,” she explained.
For many in the veterinary field, faith offers a sense of peace when facing the difficult reality of euthanasia. The belief that animals return to God’s care provides comfort, reminding veterinarians that they are helping ease suffering rather than prolonging pain.
Dr. Echagarrua’s insight gave students a deeper understanding of the emotional and ethical challenges veterinarians face, as well as the compassion and strength required to succeed in the field.
Beyond careers in business and animal care, another essential profession dedicated to serving the community is law enforcement. During Career Day, students had the unique opportunity to hear from Assistant Chief Armando Aguilar and his team. Mr. Aguilar is an ILS alumnus who has dedicated 20 years to police work.
His journey from an honors student at ILS involved in student council and cross country to becoming Assistant Chief of the Miami police department showcased the importance of dedication, leadership, and perseverance.
As Assistant Chief, Mr. Aguilar plays a critical role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the police department’s operations. According to Miami-Police.org, he “oversees the Administration Division, which manages essential functions such as personnel resources, training, communications, and evidence management. With a department of approximately 1,700 sworn and civilian staff and an operating budget of over $250 million, Assistant Chief Aguilar ensures that law enforcement officers have the necessary resources, technology, and training to serve the community effectively”.
Additionally, he leads the Criminal Investigations Division, which handles some of the most complex and high-profile cases, including narcotics, homicide, and special victims’ investigations.
He explains that the process of getting to his position includes
- Obtaining the necessary education requirements
- Patrolling as an officer for a minimum of two years
- After this, officers are free to switch departments and explore different units such as SVU or K-9.
- Gaining needed experience enables officers to move up the ranks into a desired unit/position.
With two decades of experience in law enforcement and a leadership role that requires balancing critical operations, Assistant Chief Aguilar understands the challenges and demands of a long-term career. Drawing from his own journey, he shared valuable advice with students.
He stressed the importance of “Staying in college and getting your degree. Once you have a job and a family, keeping up with school becomes much more difficult.”
Each of these careers, along with their presentations, provided valuable insights into law enforcement, veterinary medicine, and business, highlighting their crucial roles in society.
The ILS community extended its deepest gratitude to these presenters for taking the time to share their knowledge and experiences.
The journey to choosing a career is not always linear. There is no strict rulebook or step-by-step guide to determining one’s future profession. However, events like Career Day allow students to explore different paths, expand their perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of what truly aligns with their skills and passions.
Hearing firsthand from professionals like Mr. Barreto, Dr. Echagarrua, and Assistant Chief Aguilar provided invaluable insight into the realities of their fields, the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards. These experiences not only educate but also inspire students to pursue their goals with confidence, knowing that success is built through dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
