Annnnnd we’re back! Sadly, break is over, and I’m no longer able to spend my days binge-watching HGTV and Sherlock. Even so, I’m fairly happy that the semester has started up again. I had a reasonably productive break, but I am definitely ready to get back to having more structure to my days.

Which is what brings me to my concern about the summer. I can’t imagine doing absolutely nothing for three consecutive months, so I’m starting the application processes for a few different internships now.

I did a lot of my search for internships through the web. I’m interested in working in the public sector, so I was looking for very specific, government based jobs. It’s not hard to look up a specific department and add the word “internship” in a search engine. But I’m also trying to keep my options open and find internships in the finance field (I’m a political science, financial economics double major).

I’d be kidding myself if I said I knew what I was doing when searching for finance internships online. I’ve always been more proactive in my search for law-related internships, so this is a completely different ballpark for me. UMBCWorks has helped me a ton throughout this process because I’m able to search for jobs based on my major.

I’m also looking forward to the UMBC’s Spring Career and Internship Fair! I’ve been to a few information sessions on campus for some finance-based companies, but I haven’t gotten the chance to speak one on one with a number of different representatives in a variety of different fields. It’s the perfect opportunity for me, and other students, to get insight into the jobs available in the field their interested in!

The Spring Career and Internship Fair is Friday, February 17, from 11:30AM to 3:30PM in the RAC. Its snow date is February 24.

This is your time to meet with recruiters in almost any industry you can think of. These recruiters are looking for UMBC students to fill available positions, so this is your chance to make a lasting first impression and get one foot in the door. A list of the recruiters coming to the Fair can be found here.

To get ready for the fair, get your resume in its best shape! Drop- in hours at the Career Center are 2-3:45PM, Monday thru Friday, and 6-8PM in the Library’s Writing Center Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Tips on helping you perfect your resume can be found here.

Resume Rescue is also available for students on Tuesday, February 14! Resume Rescue is the day that the Career Center has extended drop- in hours.  From 10 AM to 4 PM, you can come into the Career Center and have an advisor bring your resume to life.

So far, one of my biggest regrets in college was not using the Career Center and its events during my first two years. The events and services the Career Center sponsors are prime opportunities for students to  take the next step in establishing their futures, and I wish I had figured that out earlier.