You've probably heard it before: Internships are crucial to landing a job after college. So, how do you find that perfect internship to build your experience, expand your connections, and take you one step closer to your future career... even during a pandemic?

Good news... this week (October 12-16) is UMBC Intern Week! The Career Center is here to give you the scoop on landing the internship of your dreams. 

Here's how to engage:

• Follow us here on myUMBC for insider tips on the internship search process
• Follow us on Twitter for exciting, currently available internship opportunities, posted all week
• Join us for How to Land Your Dream Internship on Wednesday, October 14, 12-12:45, including insights from successful past UMBC interns

Take the advice of outstanding UMBC intern Liam on why internships are so essential to your future marketability and networking potential (video):

"During my internship, I got to meet many of the company's top execs, including the CEO. I met so many people that my LinkedIn connections quintupled over the summer." 

COVID-19 may have altered or delayed your internship plans, but now is a great time to start looking to the future and your path toward an amazing career.

Questions? Contact the Career Center's Internships & Employment Team at internships@umbc.edu.

College is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. Part of that self-discovery comes from deciding what you see yourself doing in the future, which isn't always easy. You may think, "But that's so far away," "I'm too young to be thinking about that"- although that may be true, having an idea of what you see yourself doing in the future will help you be as academically successful as you can be here at UMBC. 

Consider these "Do's" and "Don'ts" for choosing a major:

"DO's" for Choosing a Major:

Get to know all the majors available at UMBC.

Some major fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Individualized Study (the "build your own major" major), Health Administration and Policy, Geography and Environmental Systems, and Business Technology Administration are interesting majors students may not have been aware of before arriving at UMBC. There's no harm looking through the list- you never know what you might find!

**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT**

One timely way to explore all of UMBC's majors is to attend our upcoming Major Event this month!

Educate yourself on potential majors.

It's a good idea to talk to an advisor or current students in that major you're interested in so that you can get a better understanding of the potential courses and paths you may want to pursue in your selected major. Researching on your own is highly recommended, as well.

List 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes.

Take courses that are steered towards potential majors you have chosen. Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors available on the Department websites.

"DON'Ts" for Choosing a Major:

Don't let anyone else choose your major for you.

Your parents, friends, and siblings all have ideas about what you should major in, but it is essential to make your own choice. You are the student, and you are making the decision that could affect the rest of your life.

Don't assume that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job.

The skills acquired from college are of a general nature that can be applied to many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors bear only an indirect relationship to the positions they hold.

Don't stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses.

If you notice your grades are low in your major, this is an indication that it is not appropriate for you. Consider other options in which you can be more successful!

Helpful Links

Advising Contact List

"What can I do with my major?" via the Career Center

List of UMBC majors, minors, and certificates

UMBC Academic Pathways (sample four-year academic pathways for each major)

Ever wondered what it would be like to work with animals in a zoo or aquarium?  Do you aspire to work in environmental science , veterinary science or related field?

If so, consider attending the Career Exploration event focusing on careers in zoos and aquariums hosted by the National Capital Chapter of AAZK, an association of animal keepers at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.! The goal of the event is to expose undergraduate students to the wide variety of careers within the zoo field, including animal care, education, research, and veterinary sciences.

Target audience/Goal:  Undergraduate students who are interested in learning about careers working with animals to learn more about animal care, education, research, and veterinary sciences.

When: Thursday, Oct. 8 – 6 PM
Where: Online via Zoom
Zoom ID: 807 957 3356
Zoom Passcode: 608094

Questions? Email: julianok@si.edu

See attached flyer for details including names of participating panelists for the event.