It’s coming to be that point in the year when people ask you “what are you doing over the summer?” For some of us, we already know the answer to that question. For others, we’re still trying to figure it out. Maybe you just started the process of trying to find something to do over the summer late, or maybe some circumstances were out of your control and your plans fell through. It’s not too late to start looking at volunteering opportunities!

In an earlier blog post, I talked about some options available to you if you don’t land a job or internship this summer. One of the ones I think was most valuable was volunteering. Giving back to your community is a rewarding experience, and employers and graduate schools recognize that. They like to see well-rounded students who participate in community service.

So how do you find opportunities to volunteer? There are a number of different websites online that will give you a list of different events or places that you can volunteer at. For example, idealist.org is a really good place to start looking for volunteer opportunities.

Before going to these websites, think about what your goal is. Who do you want to help? Do you want to work in a field that’s related to your major? You might not think you can, but there are definitely ways to gain experience in your field through volunteering. For example, if you’re an Environmental Science major, consider helping out at a conservancy or park!

If you’re interested in politics or human rights, think about volunteering for big organizations that are trying to bring events to our local community. For example, the ACLU is a huge nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to spread their message. You can find more information on different events you can volunteer with here.

It’s also not necessary for you to volunteer at big events. You can make volunteering a daily or weekly activity. For example, try volunteering at the soup kitchen once or twice a week! They need volunteers every day of the week. There are a bunch of soup kitchens in Baltimore, Paul’s Place, and Our Daily Bread, to name a few.

You don’t have to volunteer only  if you don’t have a summer job or internship.  All of us should take the time to volunteer, even if we have something else lined up for the summer. I’m fortunate enough that sparing a few hours of my time won’t make a huge difference, but those few hours could make all the difference in someone else’s life, and that’s motivation enough for me to give back.

Name: Casey Gardner

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: National Aquarium

Position Title: Animal Care Center Intern            

Major(s)/Minor(s): Biological Sciences B.S.

Describe your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

I am responsible for monitoring, cleaning, and feeding all of the reptiles (sometimes fish). I ensure that all of the animals are healthy and when needed, I will observe any medical treatment.  

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I filled out a somewhat extensive online application and completed a phone interview.

Which resources did you use to find your current experience?

I was a volunteer for almost two years.

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

I am very passionate about marine wildlife and I love being able to work hands on with the animals. It makes me feel great knowing that I am giving them the best care possible.

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

I have a positive, passionate attitude. I love the people that I work with because we are a team with the same goals and dedication towards these animals.

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

Definitely go for it. Follow your passion because that is when you will be the happiest.

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 Friday!

In one of my first blog posts, I wrote about the stigma against liberal arts majors; the idea that liberal arts majors are somehow inferior to STEM majors because of the difficulty of their majors. I don’t think that that is true, in the least bit. I think that many liberal arts majors can accomplish and master the difficult of STEM majors, and I believe that they should.

You might be asking yourself why should you, though? Why does it matter having skills in a field that isn’t directly related to what you’re interested in? In a world that is becoming so heavily reliant on technology, having some STEM background is favorable. Knowing a little coding can make you extremely competitive. When applying to jobs in the Social Sciences, skills in the STEM field such as coding make you stand out in a sea of people with similar experiences.

Since I was little, I wanted to be an astronomer. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent watching the TV show Cosmos or those specials on National Geographic, trying to make sense of the world. But after taking my GT Physics class in high school, I was fairly certain that I was incapable of learning the math and science necessary to succeed as an astronomer. So, I switched gears and focused entirely on law. In retrospect, I’m happy with my decision. There are, however, times when I wonder whether or not I could have done it; I only made my decision based on one or two classes. There are times when I stare at my course catalog, wishing I had taken particular prereqs so I could take the science classes I was interested in, even if I didn’t major in the field.

Then I think about what skills I’ve learned being a Political Science major that would help me in a STEM field. On the surface, I think none. Then I remember that I’m a critical thinker because of these classes. I can look at a big chunk of text and find minute details, figuring out ways to connect these thoughts together. These are skills that translate in the STEM field.

I don’t see the world in black and white. In my mind, two plus two doesn’t always equal four. I think I don’t belong in the STEM field. But, just because I’m not a methodical thinker doesn’t mean I’m not valuable. We want majors of all kinds on our Mock Trial team. They bring a new and exciting perspective on facts and details that many of us see the same way, and vice versa.  Imagine how different the world would be if we had doctors with a background in social work taking care of patients.

We all matter, so that’s why I say don’t knock it until you try it.

HackUMBC is coming up the weekend of April 29-30, and I suggest that you all check it out or submit an application to be part of it. Applications are rolling. To find more information, visithttp://innovate.hackumbc.org/. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to learn new skills and test the waters of a field you may not have ever considered.