Name: Ann Jeanette Santos

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: UMBC Department of Psychology - Behavior Analysis

Position Title: Research Assistant

Major(s)/Minor(s): Psychology

Current Class Level: Junior

Work Term: Summer 2020

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

This research opportunity allows me to work closely with one of the assistant professors at UMBC, Dr. Mirela Cengher, BCBA-D. In Dr. Cengher's lab, the goal is to research procedures that will enhance the learning of individuals with developmental disabilities, most notably, Autism-spectrum disorder. My current duties include reading up on current literature to become familiar to what is known about procedures already in place for behavior analysis, creating experimental materials, such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) documents and Qualtrics surveys, and taking interobserver agreement (IOA) data. Because Dr. Cengher has a special interest in learning about language development and skill acquisition, I have been reading about how individuals learn foreign languages and how individuals best learn new information. Most of my work during quarantine is in preparation for when we are able to return to engaging with participants face-to-face, or for finding online substitutes for projects. I was also graced with the opportunity to learn how to program online experiments using experimental software. Every week I meet virtually with my mentor/supervisor, Dr. Cengher, and we review what I have accomplished for the week and what my goals should be for the upcoming week. Since I work in a team of research assistants, I also meet with the other research assistants every week to two weeks to discuss what we have accomplished individually and as a team.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

At the end of the Spring semester, my PSYC 210 (Psychology of Learning) professor posted an announcement about a research opportunity happening during the summertime. Since the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of my initial internship opportunity, I was excited to hear that this research opportunity would be held remotely in the comfort of my own home! To express my interest in joining Dr. Cengher's research team, I emailed Dr. Cengher in May and she sent me an Interview Form to complete. After I sent back my interview form, we scheduled a virtual interview a week later and she asked me questions to see if I would work fittingly in her lab. A week later, I was informed of her interest in working with me as her research assistant.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization? 

Working as a research assistant this summer has sparked an interest for pursuing behavior analysis as a career in the future and further ignited my passion for working with children with developmental disabilities in the future. In addition, I have been able to push myself out of my comfort zone to learn things I never thought I would learn how to do. For example, I have had zero experience in programming/coding, and although it was not an easy process, I am proud to say that I have learned a little bit about coding through putting together online research material. Dr. Cengher has also grown to be one of my greatest mentors as she talks me through applying for graduate school, learning more about Applied Behavior Analysis and allowing me to explore my own interests as her research assistant. Although there is work that I have to complete, I have full freedom to let my research mentor know what my areas of interests to study are, as well.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

Through my work, I am helping to improve teaching procedures that will enhance learning for children with developmental disabilities, like Autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). Although there are procedures currently in place to treat children with ASD in Applied Behavior Analysis, much research needs to be done to continue to strengthen ways to teach children using empirical data. Some areas of research are the number of stimuli and order of stimuli concurrently taught within a session.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

It takes just a few seconds of courage to discover your full capabilities by stepping out of your comfort zone and being open to new learning opportunities. That is what is ultimately going to prepare you for the professional field.

Like the Career Center on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

#UMBCintern

Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Monday!

Join UMBC and the Greater Washington Partnership for the Capital CoLAB Virtual Career Fair. This career fair will give students exclusive access to employers from across the Capital Region and offer opportunities to secure  SUMMER INTERNSHIPS FOR 2021. 

WHEN: Monday, September 21, 2020  

TIME: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM  Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 

WHERE: ONLINE 

REGISTER HERE 

About the Event 

This online chat will connect you directly with organizations from the comfort of your home, office, smartphone or tablet. Our online, cloud-based platform makes it easy and fun for you to participate. After signing in, you'll be able to explore the available information and opportunities and participate in 1-on-1 text-based chats with representatives from participating organizations. Share your background and experience and get all your questions answered. This career fair is open to current undergraduate students.  Tune into our live content during the career fair to hear from peers about virtual internship experiences, the impact of COVID-19 on student life, as well as about the Capital CoLAB Digital Tech Credential Program. 

About the Capital CoLAB and Digital Tech Credential Program 

Capital CoLAB is a program launched by the Greater Washington Partnership and its mission to create a more connected and inclusive capital region. 

The Capital CoLAB Digital Tech Credential program is focused on developing talent by connecting students at participating colleges and universities with top businesses across the region to provide them with opportunities and real-world experience. Employers across all industries—from government and healthcare to the arts and energy—hire workers who can couple their diverse educational backgrounds with the top tech skills to succeed in today’s increasingly digital economy.  

You can learn more about the CoLAB Digital Tech Credential on our website. Be sure to opt into the CoLAB Community when you register for this event to receive more information about this program!   

Live Career Fair Content 

Tune into our live content during the career fair to hear from peers about virtual internship experiences, the impact of COVID-19 on our region and student life, as well as about the Capital CoLAB Digital Tech Credential Program. 

REGISTER HERE 

 
Social Channels  

FOLLOW GREATER WASHINGTON PARTNERSHIP 

Hashtag: #CapitalCoLAB 

Twitter: @GW_Partnership 

Facebook: facebook.com/GreaterWashingtonPartnership/ 

LinkedIn: Greater Washington Partnership 

Instagram: instagram.com/gw_partnership

Thank you to the over 400 students who participated in the CashCourse contest! If you didn't get a chance to complete the CashCourse we'd like to encourage you to finish because everyone is a winner when it comes to FinancialSmarts! 

And now  the announcement you've been waiting for; We'd like to congratulated our 3 prize winners! 

Roxey for completing at least 1 module won $100!

Zaira for completing at least 2 modules won $300! 

Katie for completing the entire  CashCourse won $500!

Congratulations everyone and remember at UMBC we're more than educated, we're Financially Smart!

Want to learn more about the following? 

• Budgets 

• Bank Accounts 

• Assets 

• Debt 

UMBC FinancialSmarts can help! 

What are you waiting for?  – It only takes approximately 5 hours to complete the CashCourse!

To enroll in the online FinancialSmarts CashCourse click HERE.

Did you know you could get a badge for completing the CashCourse in addition to being entered into our CASH PRIZE drawings?

Be sure to complete modules by tonight at 11:59pm to be entered into the drawings! All drawings will take place tomorrow at 12:30pm via Instagram Live.

So don’t wait...get started now!

Big return for little effort – It only takes approximately 5 hours to complete the CashCourse!

The FinancialSmarts CashCourse is a multi-module, self-paced course that ensures that you are as well-prepared to manage your budgets, bank accounts, assets and debt as you are to master your academic and career interests. To enroll in the online FinancialSmarts CashCourse click here. 

Here’s where FinancialSmarts start to pay off... By September 15, 2020:

● If you complete the pre-assessment and one module, your name will be entered in our $100 cash prize drawing.

● If you complete the pre-assessment and two or more modules, your name will be entered in our $300 cash prize drawing.

● If you complete the pre-assessment and all modules, your name will be entered in our $500 cash prize drawing.

Be sure to complete modules by September 15, 2020 (ONLY 1 DAY AWAY!) to be entered into the drawings! All drawings will take place on September 16, 2020 at 12:30pm via Instagram Live. 

So don’t wait...get started now! 

If you have questions about the online FinancialSmarts CashCourse, please feel free to contact us at financialsmarts@umbc.edu. 

Did you know you could earn a badge for completing the CashCourse in addition to being entered into our CASH PRIZE drawings?

Big return for little effort – It only takes approximately 5 hours to complete the CashCourse!

To enroll in the online FinancialSmarts CashCourse click here. 

Be sure to complete modules by September 15, 2020 (ONLY 2 DAYS AWAY!) to be entered into the drawings! 

All drawings will take place on September 16, 2020 at 12:30pm via Instagram Live.