• Assisted with the coordination and execution of reproductive health initiatives within the Reproductive Health Clinic, including managing the condom distribution program.
• Contributed to community outreach efforts aimed at raising awareness about reproductive health services and resources.
• Conducted literature reviews and data analysis to support my research project.
• Engaged in direct patient care within the clinic, performing tasks such as recording vital signs, guiding patient check-ins and check-outs, conducting various tests, and contributing to facility upkeep and sanitation.
• Conducted my own research project for school through the health department.

The Spring 2024 Career & Internship Fair is officially almost here! Before you join us at the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) on Friday, February 9, from 11:30-3:30 PM, we wanted to share a few final tips and recommendations so that you are fully prepared for the event and get the most out of your Career Fair experience.

• Research Employers Beforehand. We are breaking records by having the LARGEST number of employers to date at this event! To ensure you're speaking to the right-fit companies for you on Friday, do your homework beforehand. Download the Career Fair Directory, make note of employers of interest, and plan your route in advance. You can review employers on Handshake as well.
• For International Students: this year we've included a page in the directory listing employers hiring international students. Be sure to check that out on page 6!

• Dress the Part. Your outfit for the Career Fair should not be an afterthought. Plan a wardrobe that aims to impress by selecting business casual or even business formal attire. Some ideas include: dress pants and shirts, suits, dresses, blazers, and jackets. Pick colors and patterns that show your personality but are also professional. Make sure what your wearing is comfortable too, as you'll be walking around the RAC. Give yourself room to breathe by not wearing something too form fitting, and comfortable footwear should be considered too.

• Have Your Resume Ready.  List your contact information, accomplishments, skills, and experience. Need a little help with your resume? No problem! We have some tips and samples here, as well as hold live drop-in hours at the Center. Once your resume is good to go, be sure to print out around 15-20 copies and keep them in a folder or padfolio for you to carry around, and bring them with you to the fair. You may also want to bring pens, extra paper, and a place to hold onto business cards.
  
  
• Perfect Your Pitch. So you've done your research, you look professional, and you have your resumes on hand. Now it's time to know what you're going to say to employers once you walk up to their booths. This is where your 30-second commercial, or elevator pitch comes in. For your pitch, you should let employers know who you are, highlight a few accomplishments, and how you'd bring value to their organization. You can practice your pitch using Big Interview, where you can practice answering the "Tell me about yourself" prompt.

By taking these tips and recommendations into consideration, you should have everything you need to make the most out of the Spring Career & Internship Fair. Best of luck out there, and we'll see you at the Career Fair soon! 

Ever wonder why UMBC ranks so highly in US News and World Report annually?

Or why later this week over 180 local, regional, and national employers will set up tables in the RAC to recruit current UMBC students and alums at the 2024 Spring Career and Internship Fair?

Or why our annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) includes hundreds of student presenters (from all UMBC majors) and thousands of attendees?

And why are so many of our students awarded significant prestigious scholarships like the Rhodes, Fulbright, Marshall, Gates-Millennium, and Truman?  And finally, how do so many fellow students gain acceptance to some of our nation's best graduate and professional schools?

One common thread throughout these outcomes is student engagement in experiential learning - applying what you have learned in the classroom within real-world settings.  Encouraging, fostering, and rewarding students for these opportunities is a distinctive hallmark of a UMBC education.  Applied learning is often transformational - enabling you to differentiate yourself from others in the region and beyond!  Are you ready to learn more about how you can gain this distinguishing advantage and benefit from the confidence it often instills?  Read on!

Independent Study & Research

Independent study opportunities exist in every single major at UMBC.  Yes, that's right - every department has a course or courses that allow you to propose and execute an academic project with the support and direction of a UMBC faculty member.  Independent study and research coursework can earn students anywhere between one and six credits - depending on the scope and nature of the project. 

Moreover, these courses carry upper-division credit value and can sometimes count toward your major (or minor) requirements.  Your relationship with a faculty member is a critical driver in the process; thus, taking at least one or more classes with a faculty member who specializes in the subject or topic you are pursuing is ideal.   Departmental websites proudly highlight their faculty's disciplinary research interests and expertise, which can help you identify a prospective faculty member.

Two examples of departments with helpful and enlightening descriptions are Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health for independent study and Biological Sciences for research.   Other excellent resources to consider include:

Research and Creative Achievement at UMBC

Undergraduate Research & Prestigious Scholarships

USM LSAMP Research Program

Internships

An internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student's field of study or career interest.  An internship enables students to engage in active career exploration and development and learn new skills.  Internships offer employers opportunities to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, develop talent and build pipelines for future full-time employees.  Our Career Center provides leadership and oversight of UMBC's excellent internship program.  Several UMBC majors require internships like Media and Communication Studies and Social Work.  Yet almost all departments sponsor internship credit options managed similarly to independent study and research.  Economics and Information Systemsdepartments don't require internships.  Still, they are often helping students secure opportunities to work at incredibly diverse businesses and organizations within our region's for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Other Related Services & Opportunities

Summer Internships at the Army Research Lab in Maryland

Association of American Medical Colleges - Summer Undergraduate Research Programs

National Science Foundation Big Data REU Site

The Maryland Technology Internship Program

The Career Center is collecting new and gently used professional clothing for "UMBC Suits You" as part of Career Month.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about dressing professionally and then be able to select one free outfit to use for job interviews, career fairs, networking opportunities and much more.. We are asking staff, faculty, alumni, and affiliates to donate new and gently used professional attire at collection bins around campus from February 19th - March 1st.

Starting February 19th, professional clothing can be dropped off at the following on-campus locations:

• The Shriver Center, Public Policy Bldg., 1st Floor - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)
• Career Center, Math/Psych 201 - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri) 
• Campus Information Center, The Commons, Lobby
• Admin Building, 1st Floor near elevators
• Performing Arts & Humanities Building, 1st floor across from the ticket booth

Jump to:
Hours & Contact Details
In-Person & Virtual Appointments
Workshops & Events
Internship & Job Search Support
Prepare your Documents: Resume & Cover Letters
Retrievers Connect: networking platform just for UMBC students and alumni

Attention all UMBC student employees!  

What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!

Interested in gaining a competitive edge in the job market? Sign up for PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success this Spring semester. Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events, you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT: Friday, February 29

Make your campus experience count! Enroll TODAY! Enrollment is limited to the first 40 student employees. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  

Open to all levels and majors. You must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus. 

How to Register Online

1. Log in to Handshake, then navigate to Career Center > Experiences.

2. Click “Submit an Experience” and select “Career Center – On-Campus Student Employment (PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success)” as the Experience Type. Fill in the required fields and submit.

3. Your registration will be reviewed within two business days. The Career Center will enroll you directly upon review along with sending you additional details.

QUESTIONS, please contact Stephanie Taylor (staylor18@umbc.edu)