Hey everyone! This is our last blog post of the semester. I want to thank you all for reading these and just generally being wonderful. And I know. It’s hard to look past finals week when you have your head so firmly fixed on your computer screen that you’re not sure if you’ll even be able to sit up straight again. And I’m not asking you to. Bookmark this page, get past December 19th, and come back to read this post once you are comfortably in post-finals relaxation mode. Go on. I’ll wait.
Ok great! I hope you’re taking a little bit of a break. But that still means you can get things done! Check out my winter break (or semester, if you’re taking classes) checklist below:
Update your resume. Over the last few months, you’ve worked on new projects, taken new classes, developed new skills, and (possibly) started new jobs. Add all of that to your resume now before you forget it!
Think about post-spring semester employment. Whether you’re graduating and looking for full-time work (yay!) or trying to find an internship, winter break is perfect to kick-start that process. Keep in mind that most application deadlines are coming up sooner than you think! Make a list of potential employers and start applying.
Follow up with your professors. Reach out to them in a professionally-worded email, or even a handwritten thank you note if you want to go the extra mile. Thank them for a wonderful and enriching semester. It’s a great gesture, and makes sure they remember you in case you need to ask for a recommendation later on.
Build your skill set. Consider working on a personal project over break! It’s a great way to have some fun and get some experience in a low-stress way. I don’t know about you, but applying what I’ve learned in my classes really helps me remember why I love my major. Also look into building your job-hunting skills. The Career Center is offering our Dependable Strengths workshop over the break. It is a great way to figure out what you excel in and what you can work on in the upcoming year.
Work on your network. Add people on LinkedIn, keep in contact with friends and group mates from last semester’s classes, or even consider going to a conference. Maybe even reach out to alum on our LinkedIn page and figure out a time to chat about potential career paths. The possibilities are endless.
Make a plan for next semester. My motivation is always lower in the spring semester. One way I found to combat that is to set achievable goals for the upcoming semester during breaks. I figure out what I need and want to do (these are two different things!) and how to do them. I don’t always meet every goal, but having them keeps my focus directed on the long-term benefits of working hard.
On that note, I will see you next semester! Take some time to relax, drink some hot chocolate, and have a great winter.
Name:Aubrey Livi
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Brinkbit Inc.
Position Title: Marketing Strategy Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Sociology/Economics
Work Term:Summer 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
My Marketing Strategy Internship was with Brinkbit, a software service provider who specializes in game development. It's an exciting field to be a marketer in as competition is fierce, niche positioning is key, and the core technologies are a rapidly shifting landscape. My responsibilities in that role included researching and preparing reports on user acquisition strategies for competing brands, planning and implementing acquisition campaigns for sales, analyzing the effectiveness of completed campaigns to refine future efforts, and writing editorial content and creating graphics and animations for social media marketing and branding purposes.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
This was actually my second semester interning with this company; I was honored to be invited back to work with them again.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Because the company is small, I had a large degree of creative freedom and direct influence on company strategy. This allowed me to gain the hands-on experience that will be necessary to jump-start my career.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Marketing and strategic branding is extremely important, especially in a buyer's market. It has been my pleasure to help Brinkbit position itself in such a way that it appeals directly to its target market without excluding more general sales.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Network! "It's not what you know, it's who you know," is an accurate adage.
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]]>This full-day conference will focus on the unique needs of international students in their job search process in the United States. Topics will include H-1B and permanent resident statuses, negotiating for these statuses with potential employers, advice on getting the most out of your job search, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from experts, students, and employers to make sure they are fully prepared to meet their career goals in the United States.
Friday, February 8, 2019
9:30 AM - 4 PM
University Center 312
AN RSVP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. Please RSVP via UMBCworks under Events-
Workshops.
AGENDA INCLUDES:
· Immigration lawyer
· International student alumni panel
· Career Center highlights
· Employer panel
· Job search strategies for F-1 students workshop
· CPT/Intern Success Practicum overview
Please note: UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. If you would like to request accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreters, captioning, wheelchair access, etc.) for this event due to a disability, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received after that time cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to make arrangements for program access. Please contact the event host (careers@umbc.edu) with your specific request and be sure to include the event title, date, and time.
]]>It’s finally here – Winter Break!
You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation before the spring semester begins.
As you think about how you want to spend this time away from UMBC re-charging, and if binge-watching Netflix just won’t suffice, check out some of the suggestions below:
1. Eat a good meal! Or two. Or three…
Take a break from your typical college diet and use this time to enjoy some healthy meals. And as a note for when you get back to campus, check out these easy healthy meals you can cook up right in your residential hall!
2. Catch up on sleep.
Did you pull more all-nighters this past semester than you would like to admit? Now is the time to re-establish some good sleeping habits. No early alarm clocks necessary!
3. Try out a yoga class to learn some relaxation techniques or another form of exercise -your choice. Even just getting outside for a walk in the fresh air can do wonders!
4. Visit a graduate or professional school.
Whether you are just starting to think about grad school or are actually working on applications, in-person visits are always informative.
5. Take a day trip somewhere that you haven’t been or spend an afternoon exploring your hometown. If Maryland is home, here is a list of 100 day trips from Baltimore!
6. Volunteer in your local community.
The local food bank, animal shelter, or soup kitchen can all be great ways to spend time supporting the community. A quick Google search can help you find hundreds of ways to get involved this January.
7. Set up an informational interview with a working professional or job shadow for a career you are considering.
Find out what a profession is really like and make connections with people in your future field by conducting an interview unrelated to a job search. Sample question: "What are the most important qualities for an aspiring museum curator/computer scientist/sports psychologist?” Shadowing can help you determine if a profession is really for you! Keep a journal to record notes from these experiences.
8. Trade in your school textbooks for a book you can read for fun.
9. Do some light brainstorming for next semester plans.
If you found yourself too overwhelmed and busy last semester, consider what activities you may need to let go of. On the other end, if you feel you had too much time on your hands, consider some clubs or activities you may be able to get involved in this spring.
10. Take time to re-connect with family and friends.
Spend some time with the elders in your family learning more about your family history and heritage. This discovery about your family roots can be the inspiration you need to keep pushing forward when the going gets tough.
See below for some of the ways the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising’s Peer Advisors are spending their Winter Break:
“Over Winter Break, I will be preparing for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and planning my application process for dental schools. I will also be working at a dental office and shadowing other dentists” –Christine Lee, Biological Sciences
“My plan for the winter break is basically to relax and kick back with friends and family, go the gym, and learn something new regarding my major.” – Michael Unuigbe, Computer Science
]]>ARCHES is a six-week program for ten undergraduate students who are current sophomores and current juniors interested in pursuing medical studies.
All students are encouraged to apply, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the health professions and those who identify as first-generation college students.
This program will engage selected participants in:
Preference will be given to permanent residents of the District of Columbia (DC).
Complete program details may be found on the ARCHES website.
Applications are due by February 4, 2019 at 5 PM EST. Apply here! Learn more about the program from our 2018 Fellows!
For more information on GU ARCHES, please contact Kimberly Walker via email gumedarches@georgetown.edu with the subject heading "GU ARCHES Question".
In case the 20- degree weather hasn’t clued you in, it’s almost winter. Which means it’s almost winter break. Which means we have one full week of classes left, and I don’t know about you guys, but I am mildly freaking out. So, with the 1.5 weeks of classes before finals week, how should you be spending your time?
If you’re the kind of student that has very few exams and final projects left to do, congratulations. I’m very jealous. But, you’re in a spot where you can spend some serious time thinking about what you want to do over the summer. Maybe you’re waiting to hear back from industry internships; maybe you’re getting ready to apply for research positions. Whatever it may be, follow up on those emails, send out those resumes, make a spreadsheet to keep track of it all, and revel in the glory of being able to relax while your fellow students are running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
If you’re the kind of student that has a bunch of exams, but feels like the workload is under control, good job. That being said, don’t substitute comfort for complacency. Make sure you know what assignments you have to complete and exams you have to study for. Career-wise, this isn’t the time to throw all your effort behind getting a summer job, but that doesn’t mean to slack off entirely. Maybe go to a few events during free hour, and definitely respond to any recruiters reaching out to you. If you have a few extra minutes here and there, check Linkedin. But your top priority should be securing the best possible grades over the next few days.
If you’re the kind of student wondering how they are going to make it to winter break without imploding from stress, we’ve all been there. For the next 2.5 weeks, put worries about summer work completely out of your head. The only thing you should do is respond to emails and phone calls. You’ll have plenty of time over winter break to schedule interviews and apply for positions. But right now, make a list of everything you have to get done, get off myUMBC (I appreciate the readership, but not the procrastination), and get started. The more you do, the more manageable things will seem.
Name:Shannon Cole
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Position Title: ORISE Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology
Work Term:Summer 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
My internship at the FDA included a combination of data mining and laboratory methods research to monitor post-market drug quality. On a day-to-day basis, I conducted assays such as Reverse Phase Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-UHPLC) and Microcapillary Electrophoresis sodium dodecyl sulfate (µCE-SDS) while working in the lab. These assays allowed me to obtain the protein characterization profile of the drug antibodies. In the same day, I usually transitioned over to attending planning meetings for current projects, and shifted again to data mining and searching for post-market drugs in the database. I worked on a collaboration between the FDA’s Office of Surveillance (OS) and Office of Biotechnology Products (OBP) to develop rapid techniques for characterizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are used in therapeutic drug products. By obtaining characterization profiles of mAbs, OS is better able to regulate manufacturing firms to maintain product quality to ensure the safety of consumers.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I heard of the position in the early Spring semester. I found a listing on UMBCworks and sent in my resume only. I was contacted by my mentor in March and she set up an interview. She asked me to fill out an official application through zintellect. I filled out the application the same day and had an interview with her a few weeks later. She notified me the next week that I had gotten the internship. In a previous semester, I utilized the Career Center’s resume reviewing help to improve the content and appearance of my resume. I think this clearly had an impact on my marketability to recruiters!
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
I have greatly enjoyed working at the FDA this summer because I am constantly learning new things and developing new skills. There is always something that needs to be done and the ORISE internship program is very rigorous. I have appreciated the high standards I am held to because I know my mentor is teaching me the skills that will make me successful in a career later down the road. The FDA is a very interdisciplinary and multifaceted organization and I am constantly impressed by the multitude of people, jobs, and projects at the agency. Coming from a Biology background, I have been able to develop new skills that are directly and indirectly related to my major, such as laboratory techniques and data mining. By training me in a variety of settings, fields, and skill sets, the FDA internship program has made me into a more well-rounded professional for both an academic setting, and for when I enter the workforce.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I have made an impact through my work because the laboratory techniques I have studied and the database work I have done contribute to improving the FDA’s regulatory influence when monitoring post-market drug quality. In this way, my work benefits the public by assessing drug quality to ensure patient safety and promote public health.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Always go to the interview. Even if you are unsure if the job is right for you, always interview. At first, I was skeptical the position fit my interests for a summer internship, but the interview allowed me to find out more about the organization, job duties, and staff. After seeing the campus and meeting the people in person, it was much easier for me to see myself working there. By the end of my time at the FDA, I found I had learned so much and gained so many valuable experiences. My internship experience has greatly influenced my future career goals and taught me skills that I would not have learned in a classroom.
Shannon has since accepted a full-time offer to continue working with the FDA after she graduates in December.
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