The 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) STEM conference, hosted by Career Communications Group, Inc., is taking place October 23- 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center with options to participate either in-person or online. There is also an Undergraduate Research Showcase on Saturday, October 25th. 

Are you working on groundbreaking research? Showcase your work by participating in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.  Sign up here as soon as possible as applications are still being accepted. Please see the attached flyer for additional details. 

Additional details regarding the 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) career fair and conference can be found at:  https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/careers/posts/153221.

The 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) STEM conference, hosted by Career Communications Group, Inc., is taking place October 23- 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center with options to participate either in-person or online. The conference features a career fair (Saturday, October 25) where top national and local companies in the STEM fields are actively recruiting STEM interns and professionals in addition to career workshops, and leadership and professional development programs.

You will need to register to participate. Open to ALL students! 

·       The job fair is free! To participate in the job fair only, go to: https://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/woc/2025/job_seekers_registration.cfm. Be sure to check the career readiness workshops that will be held throughout the career fair.

·       To participate in the full conference (in addition to the career fair) go to: https://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/woc/2025/student_registration.cfm and select whether you will participate "in-person" (Baltimore, MD) or "online".

There is also an opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Showcase! Are you working on groundbreaking research? Showcase your work by participating in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.  Sign up here as soon as possible as applications are still being accepted. 

If you have any questions, please contact Diane Crump-Fogle (crump@umbc.edu) or Chrisi Giannakaris (chrisig@umbc.edu) from the UMBC Career Center.

Name: Aureliane Tchamdja

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Junior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Research experience

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program

Location of the Organization (City, State): Lincoln, Nebraska

Title of position: Research Scholar

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

I worked with Dr. Wissam Kontar and Mohammad Elayan on our project, "Autonomous Ground and Air Systems for Last-Mile Mobility: A Case Study on the Agriculture System". This research allowed me to explore the logistics of last-mile delivery and learn how to solve route optimization problems using autonomous vehicles and drones in rural, agricultural settings. I had the opportunity to present my research as a poster at both UNL's 2025 Engineering Summer Research Fair hosted by the College of Engineering, and UNL's 2025 Summer Research Symposium hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Other than my poster, other deliverables that I had completed by the end of the program were a 10+ page scientific paper on my project and an oral presentation in front of my peers and faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. I was also able to attend workshops and panels that have better prepared me for graduate school and strengthened my skills as a scientist/researcher.

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

I heard of the Nebraska Summer Research Program through emails that were sent to me during the Fall 2024 semester. I applied and submitted my application to the program in January.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, University website 

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

I enjoyed being able to explore the sustainability/transportation research field, especially being able to look at the use of autonomous technology. I also found the workshops and panels that the program provided to be very valuable. 

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

Although my work was more so in a preliminary stage, I believe that it is still a great contribution to the scientific community because it will help start conversations on how to better address transportation gaps in agriculture and in rural areas as a whole.

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

Advice that I would give to another student seeking an internship is to not be afraid to apply to any and as many programs/experiences as they desire. The more you open yourself up to these opportunities, the more likely you are to get them.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

What I liked most about my research experience was being able to explore a research field that I may not have been able to otherwise, as well as being able to learn more about graduate school and what to expect as a student who wants to pursue a PhD degree.

The job search can be an exciting time — but it can also feel discouraging when applications go unanswered or interviews don't lead to offers. In a competitive market, rejection is normal, but that doesn't make it easy. The good news? You can learn to navigate setbacks, stay motivated, and keep moving forward, with the help of these tips:

1. Reframe Rejection as Redirection

Remember: every "no" brings you closer to the right "yes." Instead of seeing rejection as failure, view it as feedback. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience — maybe it's refining your resume, expanding your network, or exploring a different industry. Book a Search Strategies appointment with a Career Center Advisor to get even more ideas on how to improve.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

A long job search can feel endless, but there are ways to make it feel more manageable. Break the search down into steps you can accomplish each week, like updating one section of your resume, applying to three jobs, or reaching out to two networking contacts. Small wins can add up — and help you build momentum.

3. Lean on Your Support System

You don't have to go through this process alone. Share your pitfalls and wins with friends, mentors, or career advisors at the Career Center or beyond. They can offer encouragement, perspective, and even new job leads. The more you let others know that you're on the hunt, the more eyes there will be out there seeking viable opportunities. Maybe it would be helpful to meet with a friend outside of career events and apply for job positions together. It's ok to ask for help, accountability, and support.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Stress can easily build up during a long search. Make time for activities that recharge you — whether that's exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a day off from applications. Maybe making a curated playlist while you submit applications can help you stay motivated, or maybe you need to engage in breathwork and affirmations before starting each day. A clear mind helps you stay confident and focused. 

5. Keep Building Skills While You Search

If you're waiting on responses, invest in your professional growth. Take an online course, volunteer for a nonprofit you're interested in, or start a personal project. Sign up for a micro-internship at Parker Dewey or a job simulation at The Forage. Check out offerings from the UMBC Training Centers and watch the Paws & Pivot Webinar Series. Adding new experiences and skills to your resume shows employers that you are staying active and adaptable.

Strategize Your Next Steps

Setbacks don't define your career — they guide it. For more ways to stay resilient and turn challenges into opportunities, join us at our online workshop, Mindset & Momentum: Staying Resilient in the Job Hunt, at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, September 30. This supportive session will share practical strategies to help you stay motivated and keep your search moving forward.

 More Career Opportunities Await! 

UMBC hosted our Career & Internship Fair on September 17, but we know that one event can't capture every opportunity. To give our Retrievers even more chances to connect with employers and explore next steps, we're excited to promote two upcoming partner fairs hosted by nearby universities:

 Towson University Career & Internship Fair

• Date: Friday, September 26

• Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Location: SECU Arena, Towson University

• A wide range of employers will be in attendance—don't miss your chance to network and explore career opportunities!

 Goucher College Graduate School Fair

• Date: Tuesday, October 7

• Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Location: Goucher College Library, Towson, MD

• Explore graduate school programs in the Baltimore area that can help you launch your career. Walk-ins welcome!

• Register here: https://gradprograms.goucher.edu/portal/events-web

UMBC is proud to be a collegial partner in our university community and to support your success—whether it's finding your next job, internship, or graduate program. Take advantage of these great opportunities!

Note: UMBC will not provide transportation to these events.

Name: Nardos Araya

Pronouns: she/her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Morgan Stanley

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, MD

Title of position: Operations Analyst Intern

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

I interned at Morgan Stanley in the Baltimore office as an Operations Analyst Intern. During this internship, I worked alongside the Global Reconciliation Services team and was a team lead for a group project involving automating manual processes using various automation tools like Alteryx and Power BI. I also worked on documenting business requirements and reengineering business processes through automation and process-mapping.

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

I heard about this internship around the end of summer of 2024 and obtained this internship by first, making an appointment with the career center to help review and tailor my resume to the internship's job description. I also networked with full-time employees at Morgan Stanley that were previous interns and asked them how I can stand out in my application and my interview. After preparing my application, I submitted my application within 2 weeks.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), Alumni Networking, Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, LinkedIn or other social media

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

What I enjoyed most about interning at Morgan Stanley was learning alongside experienced professionals that I looked up to and receiving guidance from them on familiarizing myself with a corporate environment. Getting to know other interns from different schools and backgrounds was also a great opportunity that I appreciated the most because those connections I built are always going to be helpful for my future as I grow professionally. Additionally, getting to use skills that I learned in the classroom in a real-world environment where I'm given a project and I have the opportunity to create impact for the organization was very rewarding!

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

The automation project that I led was for a daily manual process that usually took 1008 hours to complete annually. By automating the daily manual process, I saved the company 750+ hours annually and eliminated manual error completely. The company can now spend more time on more crucial tasks at hand.

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

Advice I would give to another student seeking an internship would be to reach out alumni that works at the company and has the role that you're interested in and have them look at your resume and overall application. I would also suggest to network with students who just recently interned in your company of interest because their insights would be fresh in terms of what skills the company looks for, interview tips, etc.

We are excited to offer an exclusive opportunity for students at UMBC to apply for Under Armour summer internship positions, before they are made available to the public. This early application window will be open from September 17th to September 28th. Students that apply during this will receive priority review and consideration.

Available Internships - VIEW AND APPLY ON HANDSHAKE HERE

Current Juniors - Want to Visit Under Armour's Headquarter Campus? Do you think you may be a good fit for an opportunity at Under Armour? UMBC secured very exclusive access for a bus trip to Under Armour Headquarters on Friday October 3, 2025. *Limited spots.  You must sign up HERE to go to the Under On The Road.

AI/Advanced Analytics - https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162833&company=ua&st=5DA8313396791D03D626800092B9C0EC49B9B7BE

Community Impact: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162898&company=ua&st=5A40B5306A54D46920CD6BA310FD7E7CD4192C29

Consumer Insights: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162895&company=ua&st=ABD82EEFA00CF895D7A982BAE623282729F4147A

Curry: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162827&company=ua&st=B34B5B238F730C07D3B99EA3A373ABDF9E042A22

Cybersecurity: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162819&company=ua&st=FD026A38AF1E7261F8AC2A6BFFD0B448D8958886

Design: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162825&company=ua&st=45D7F70A0FD81539DFA002D3A1E6B869A9535347

Digital Teammate Experience: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162822&company=ua&st=E61BEE61BC35F050345B43AAE8C63C7B253AE749

Engineering: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162820&company=ua&st=343FD1ABE840505400E676588F3C167E58B2A96A

Enterprise Data Management:  https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162821&company=ua&st=86AB9E2662DD3381060098DAF58E7A3502701305

Finance and Accounting: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162813&company=ua&st=EC1F8936249A31D97257F1902C03C6C7D36CBA65

Human Resources: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162823&company=ua&st=5FE1F3F58D8BFF6BAEEDDD303E1F291ECAB7F482

Marketing and Communications: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162817&company=ua&st=0E52B4BC4739D86F27ED3A74FEDACA99213DF630

Merchandising: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162829&company=ua&st=DDF8C1C5713CFC32D272F79D45514B34124F7C54

Next Up: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162824&company=ua&st=887B7142F4E7E834E2CD0A538B35527879D5EC40

Procurement: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162815&company=ua&st=335A882618711A17C4017132DC9F967007F80813

Product Development: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162826&company=ua&st=6356260F912D881EDB7BCBCCF991FA53FE462D79

Product Line Management: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162828&company=ua&st=DD7F2F9C80BC4BEAC9C1D8CC3AD10E248C2C9CA8

Retail and Store Operations: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162831&company=ua&st=C700C484070DEA000C0E7AC2BBDE3D22622ED7A4

Strategy: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162818&company=ua&st=B54BA3B7609370BA9A42B41F52DC25141C3C49E9

Supply Chain and Planning: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162816&company=ua&st=F3BD08FE4542BFB6A7A4087DA84C184F735F8BBB

Team Sports/Sales: https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=162896&company=ua&st=F1BCB26B310A2B7E76CCD7F5B4579EAEAA481A50

The Career & Internship Fair on Wednesday, September 17, is your chance to meet recruiters, explore opportunities, and make meaningful connections that can launch your career. To stand out in a crowd of talented students and graduates, a little strategy goes a long way. Here are five creative tips to help you shine on the big day.

1. Research Employers Ahead of Time

Before the fair, browse the list of attending organizations in the Directory and look up job postings on Handshake and company websites of interest. Knowing which roles interest you before arriving at the Fair allows you to approach employers with specific questions and to see if there’s a specific team member to get in touch with. Demonstrate genuine interest when connecting with employers — recruiters always notice.

2. Have Your Information Ready

Because there will be a QR code at every employer booth for you to scan and share your information, make sure your Handshake profile is updated and complete. You also want to upload your latest resume to Handshake as well as keep a resume easily accessible on your phone. A more common practice at fairs in recent years is for employers to ask for a quick emailed resume or upload on their portal. Being ready with digital documentation shows professionalism and preparedness.

3. Gamify Your Goals

Turn your fair experience into a game to keep you motivated. Set specific goals before you arrive — like talking to at least five employers in your field or collecting three relevant business cards. See how you can make the most efficient route by looking up the map of employer booths in the Directory beforehand. This not only keeps you going but also helps you track your progress and stay focused.

4. Team Up with a Friend

Networking can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to go it alone. Partner with a friend to stay energized, practice your 30-second commercials with each other, and share leads on must-visit employers. Just remember to branch out so you each make your own connections and then reconnect to take breaks and compare notes. If you need another way to practice conversations prior to the Fair, check out the Big Interview platform.

5. Wear a Statement Piece

First impressions matter, and a subtle statement accessory — like a bold tie, a bright scarf, or a unique pin — can help you be remembered. Just make sure it complements your professional attire and reflects your personality while keeping things polished. There will be an opportunity to get a professional headshot taken at the Fair as well, so you want to look sharp.

Career Fair Ready!

The Career & Internship Fair is one of the best ways to connect with employers and land internships or full-time roles. Use these tips to get ready and stand out on September 17! We’ll see you there! 

Name: Viyali Bhattacharjee

Pronouns: She/Her  

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Environmental Engineering

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): TYLin

Location of the Organization (City, State): Alexandria, Virginia

Title of position: Intern Engineering Designer

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

My internship at TYLin as an Intern Engineering Designer in the Water division has been both technically enriching and personally rewarding. On a day-to-day basis, I have worked on condition assessment reports, supported stormwater management initiatives, and contributed to water and wastewater infrastructure projects. I also had the opportunity to work on the Community Rating System (CRS) project conducted by FEMA, which focuses on improving floodplain management practices and reducing flood insurance costs for residents. Along the way, I developed technical skills in ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap, assisted with data analysis and mapping, and gained exposure to the permit review process and water treatment plant design. The balance between meaningful technical tasks and a supportive, collaborative work environment has made this internship a transformative experience.

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

I came across the TYLin internship posting in December 2025 and decided to apply. After submitting my application, I received an email from HR around 2nd week of January for an initial screening interview, which I completed in January last week. In early March, I received a call while I was at school, asking if I was still available for the internship. I shared my updated resume, and shortly after, on the 2nd week of March, my future mentor reached out to schedule a team interview. I had that interview after 3 days, which turned out to be an engaging and welcoming conversation with the team. On the very next day, I received the exciting news that I had been selected. It was truly a memorable moment, as I felt both grateful and motivated to begin this new chapter.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

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

Honestly, my internship at TYLin feels less like “just work” and more like joining a family that somehow knows how to throw a lunch party for every little occasion. From boat rides behind the office creek to surprise gifts that matched my hobbies (painting colors, books, even baking utensils!), I’ve realized this team celebrates people just as much as projects. And in between all the fun, I’ve gotten to dive deep into water and wastewater projects that genuinely shape sustainable communities. It’s the perfect mix of heart and hard hats!

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

I think my impact came from the “little big things.” Whether it was writing condition assessment reports, supporting stormwater management projects, or contributing to water treatment designs, I brought my dedication and fresh perspective as a student. But beyond the technical work, I also tried to spread positivity—asking questions, sharing ideas, and reminding my team that enthusiasm can be contagious (in a good way, not the viral way!).

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

Treat your internship like a two-way street: you’re not just there to learn, but also to add value. Ask questions—even the “silly” ones (those usually spark the best discussions). Build relationships with mentors and colleagues, because the people you meet often teach you more than the manuals. And most importantly, bring your whole self—your skills, your curiosity, and even your hobbies—because you never know when your love for painting or baking might lead to an unexpected bond with your team.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

The best part of my position was being surrounded by mentors and colleagues who celebrated learning, collaboration, and even my hobbies. The Career Center helped me refine my resume to land this opportunity, and the PRAC course equipped me with the professional skills to grow and prepare for the industry.