What does it really mean when someone says, “study abroad changed my life?” Can a semester outside of the United States really make that much of an impact on your future self? We unpack this commonly heard statement below by highlighting some scenarios that show how study abroad can lay the foundation for important life skills:
Independence
You are studying abroad in Berlin, Germany, a city with a complex public transportation system (seriously, look at this map!). You’ve only been in country for a few days. You have a 9:00am class and live in a part of the city where few people speak English- the metro is your only option to get to campus on time, but you haven’t taken it yet. You haven’t even bought yourself a metro pass! Oh yeah, and in your rush to get ready, you’ve misplaced your guidebook of the city. What do you think you would do in this situation?
Adaptability
You are studying abroad in Bangkok, Thailand. You’ve never traveled outside of the U.S. and are a commuter student at UMBC, living at home. You’re very comfortable with your lifestyle and routine. Bangkok, on the other hand, is significantly different than your life at home. Since being in the country, you have been served rice for breakfast, you have a hand-held water sprayer in your bathroom shower, and you just can’t seem to find the kind of deodorant that you are used to using. How do you think you would react to these seemingly small, but nonetheless, differences from your home life in the U.S?
Cultural Competency
You are studying abroad in São Paulo, Brazil and staying with a host family close to campus. There is also an international student from France living with the family. A month into your stay, you are all sitting around the living room one night and a conversation forms between the French student and your host family regarding customs and traditions in Brazil versus France. Even though you’ve been thinking a lot about the cultural differences between Brazil and the U.S., you’ve been too timid to discuss them with your host family, because you’ve never had a conversation like this before with someone from a different cultural background. How do you think you’d approach this situation and what might you gain from having this type of conversation with your host family?
Independence, adaptability, and cultural competency are only a few examples of ways that study abroad can have a long lasting impact on a person.
It’s important to remember that studying abroad isn’t life-changing just because you went. In many ways, it’s what you do to carry your experiences and lessons-learned forward. For example, a person does not become culturally competent from one conversation- it takes multiple conversations and actions to develop this skill. It is an ongoing commitment to learning who you are and what your role in the world is meant to be. But study abroad is a great place to build this foundation.
If you’re starting to think study abroad might be in your future, we’ll end on three important tips to keep in mind as you consider whether or not study abroad is right for you:
UMBC’s Study Abroad Office: http://studyabroad.umbc.edu/
*In order to meet with a study abroad advisor, you must first attend a Study Abroad 101 Information Session*
These take place:
218 Administration Building
Mondays, 12-1pm
Thursdays, 3-4pm
Tips for Making Study Abroad Work for Any Major:
http://www.diversityabroad.com/study-abroad/articles/tips-for-making-study-abroad-work-for-any-major
]]>Should you have any questions, please write to us at <GAAC@umbc.edu>.
Happy filing!
The GSA/GAAC Team
STEM BUILD at UMBC is an undergraduate success initiative and research study at UMBC funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). UMBC is investigating ways to enhance the success and persistence of students who have the goal of pursuing baccalaureate degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The STEM BUILD at UMBC Initiative is looking for Peer Mentors to assist with the a six-week summer internship program on the UMBC campus (June 11-July 20, 2018) for non-UMBC students from local community colleges and four-year institutions.
Position Description:
Minimum Qualifications:
Compensation: $10/hour (20 hours min/ 40 hours max)
Apply via UMBCworks Job ID: 9297332Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2018
Questions?: Email: Lucie Blauvelt at blauve@umbc.edu
]]>Who’s in your network these days? Sure, you have plenty of Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook friends-- but are you connected with professionals within your career field of interest? Networking and developing relationships with professionals are some the most effective ways of learning how to navigate your career path. Who knows -- someone in your professional network may have an opportunity for you to take your first or next career step!
Below are a few tips on how to go beyond your social network and make professional connections!
Tip 1: Ask everybody for advice, ideas, leads and referrals
You may gain a lot of insight just by listening to the fascinating and inspiring career stories from professionals in your field. Many professionals (new and seasoned) are happy to talk about their career pathways with aspiring professionals just like you! Politely asking them if they could share a little time with you in person (preferably); or via email –could open up the opportunity for you to discover key facts and details about someone who is “actually doing” the things you are considering doing in the future. Furthermore, they also might help you find “insider” opportunities for internships, part-time jobs or high-profile volunteering assignments.
Tip 2: Create a professional email and/or professional networking profile
LinkedInis a social network created primarily for building professional connections. Your profile serves as an interactive resume, where you can list your professional experience and educational credentials. You can join professional groups and search and apply for jobs. There are more than 51,800 UMBC alumni currently on LinkedIn! Sign up here: https://www.linkedin.com/
Tip 3: Start Connecting at UMBC!
Build Your Network - http://careers.umbc.edu/students/network/
The Career Centerhosts networking events and job fairs on a regular basis. Participate in informational interviews, Networking 101, LinkedIn 101 or join the UMBC-Alumni Student Networking Group on LinkedIn!
April is Career Month – http://careermonth.umbc.edu/
Are you ready for the Career Road Trip Challenge? This month, you can attend events/presentations, grab badges along the way, get connected to the rest of the world and explore professional options!
Shriver Center – http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/
There are many career networking and professional mentorship opportunities which are available through the range of services, programs and initiatives sponsored by the Shriver Center – especially with respect to civic engagement and community based service delivery.
And Remember…
Follow up, follow up, and follow up (you get the point) – with your professional contacts! Whether it’s sending them an email every few months, or a message through Linked In, or placing a call to check in – it’s important to maintain all of the connections you make. They’ll be sure to come in handy when you are ready to make your next step!
Name:Olivia Soudry
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Lieber Institute for Brain Development
Position Title: Research Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology
Work Term:Summer 2017 to Spring 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I work at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, and I am researching psychiatric diseases including Schizophrenia and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome through stem cell research with induced pluripotent stem cells. I reprogram human fibroblast into induced pluripotent stem cells and then differentiate them into neurons. I am specifically interested in the development of neural progenitor cells. I also grow mouse embryonic fibroblasts to use for cell culture plates. On a day to day basis, I assess my cell cultures and decide whether to passage them, expand them, conduct molecular analysis, or to freeze them. The goal of my research is to understand how stem cells from patients with psychiatric disorders develop in comparison to stem cells from patients without these disorders.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
Two summers ago, I shadowed a psychiatrist at Hopkins. The experience went very well and he became a mentor for me. I mentioned that I was interested in research and he suggested I apply to work at Lieber. With his recommendation, I was able to submit an application and the stem cell group decided to take me on as an intern. The UMBC career center was also pivotal to my success by helping me tremendously improve my resume.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
The part that I have enjoyed the most about Lieber is the welcoming environment and the encouraging members of the lab. When I first started my internship, I knew almost nothing about cell culture. The scientists I work with were patient and supportive through my entire learning process. They continue to challenge me every day, and support me through my successes and my failures. This is the reason that I have learned so much in my time at the lab. I have loved working with a group of people who are always happy to teach, guide, and support me and everyone else in the lab. I have loved being a part of such an amazing team of scientists.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I have made an impact in my work by joining a team and helping our team be successful. More importantly, I feel that I have found my niche in the lab. For example, I quickly grasped the skill of culturing mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which are essential for growing stem cells. By growing these cells for the lab, I have saved the lab money that can now be spent in new ways to improve our research.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would urge students seeking internships to seek environments with great people who are willing to teach. The best advice I got when looking for an internship was to ask "Who is the most fun mentor?" Thanks to this advice, I was paired with the most enthusiastic scientist in the lab. He is always happy to explain concepts and experiments to me, no matter how simple or complicated.
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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!
]]>Spring break is long gone, my friends. Trust that I am just as disappointed as you are. But, there is so much going on in April that we don’t even have time to dwell on it! April is Career Month, a magical time where EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH has at least one panel, workshop, or networking event that will fully stock your professional toolbelt with all the resources and connections you could possibly ask for! Not only that, but if you participate in the Career Month Road Trip Challenge, you can collect challenge buttons for a chance to win two free plane tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, courtesy of Southwest Airlines! HOW COOL IS THAT??? Here are a few highlighted events:
On April 9th at free hour in the Commons, the Career Center is hosting a Financial Literacy Workshop. Everybody has something to learn about finances, right? In this helpful workshop, led by UMBC alum Ken Pittman, let us show you how to quantify your financial situation, deal with debt and develop a savings plan that will help to prepare you for those retirement years! What are your finances saying about you?
An ongoing event will be the Interview and Alum series, which is happening from April 9th to 13th. During this week, you can sign up to have an informational interview with UMBC alumni currently working in your desired field. This gives you a chance to get some one-on-one advice from someone who was once in your shoes and is now succeeding in the workforce!
My personal favorite is the Dining Etiquette Dinner on April 19th in the Skylight Room. Why is this my favorite? FREE DINNER, OF COURSE!! But in addition to that, you learn how to present yourself professionally while eating, which is a skill you might need if your next interview is over lunch! This event does require pre-registration, so sign up here.
You may be saying to yourself, “Gosh, there is so much happening this month, how do I make the best of it??” Well, I’ll give you some tips on how to take advantage of all these wonderful resources:
Look at the calendar now! The last thing you want is to hear about an event after it already happened, so scope out the events this month that interest you the most, and make sure you’re prepared.
Get your resume polished! A lot of these events have recruiters actively looking for eager college students, so make an appointment or come to drop-in hours every weekday from 2pm-4pm and ensure that your resume is in tip-top shape.
Collect those challenge buttons! These events are rewarding all on their own, but if you remember to collect the challenge buttons offered at each event and turn them in, you could win some BIG PRIZES! So don’t miss out!
This month is a big deal, so make sure you’re prepared to achieve your full potential and take advantage of everything the Career Center has to offer. Go Retrievers!
Attention Undergraduate & Graduate Students in Life Sciences & Engineering
Emergent BioSolutions is looking to hire EIGHT INTERNS from UMBC for their Bayview (Baltimore, MD) and Camden locations.
Be sure to apply to
the positions in UMBCworks AND meet with the company representatives at
the EMPLOYERS in the SCIENCES
event this Wednesday, April 4, 2018 · 11 AM - 2 PM, The Commons : Main
Street. Emergent BioSolutions provides specialty products for civilian
and military populations that address intentional and naturally emerging
public health threats.
OPEN POSITIONS INCLUDE:
Intern, Engineering (position 9298260)
Intern, Manufacturing Operations (Bayview) (position 9298263)
Intern, Manufacturing Operations (Camden Location) (position 9298266)
Intern, Manufacturing Sciences and Tech. (position 9298264)
Intern, Production Compliance (position 9298267)
Intern, QC Laboratory Services (position 9298262)
Intern, QC Microbiology (position 9298261)
Intern, Validation (position 9298265)
FUND YOUR FUTURE
Do you plan to pursue an unpaid internship or service opportunity for Summer 2018? Whether you have already accepted an unpaid position or are in the process of applying, you may be eligible to apply for a financial stipend.
The UMBC Career Center and Shriver Center are proud to announce the new Student Internship & Service Fund, thanks to the generous support of our alumni, campus and community members. The goal of this fund is to help you gain critical skills, explore potential careers, and create important connections in competitive, creative, and service-oriented fields providing unpaid internship and service opportunities.
Stipend Award Amounts:
$1,500 stipend for unpaid internships totaling 120 hours or more this summer
$750 stipend for unpaid service opportunities totaling 60 hours or more this summer
Eligibility Requirements:
GPA of 2.5 or higher
You must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student who will return to UMBC in Fall 2018.
If you have not already obtained an unpaid position for Summer 2018, you must secure a position by May 1, 2018.
Requirements for Awardees:
Submit verification that you are not receiving compensation for your summer position.
Enroll in the appropriate Career Center or Shriver Center Internship or Service-Learning Practicum.
Complete your hours and fulfill the terms of your internship or service.
Submit documentation of your internship or service at the semester’s end, including photos/videos of your work (with the organization’s permission).
HOW TO APPLY:
For best consideration, please submit your resume, unofficial transcript, and a statement of purpose to position 9297914 in UMBCworks by this Saturday, April 7th. Awardees will be notified by mid April.
If you have already secured a position, your statement should include:
How does this unpaid internship or service opportunity support your career and academic goals?
Why are you an ideal candidate for the Student Internship & Service Fund?
If you have NOT already secured a position, your statement should include:
What kind of internship or service opportunity do you plan to obtain for Summer 2018? Please list at least three organizations where you have applied, or plan to apply.
How do you expect this experience to support your career and academic goals?
Why are you an ideal candidate for the Student Internship & Service Fund?