Applications for Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS) now open

Since 2011, Applied Computer Security Associates, sponsor of the ACSAC and NSPW conferences, has offered scholarships for women in security-related undergraduate and masters’ degree programs through the Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS, http://www.swsis.org).

Thanks to a $250,000 4-year contribution by Hewlett-Packard company in early 2014, ACSA expanded our program to award 11 scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year. The Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research (CRA-W), an arm of the Computing Research Alliance, led selection of scholarship winners. Information about the 11 SWSIS Scholars (scholarship winners) is available at http://www.swsis.org.

ACSA, CRA-W, and HP are pleased to announce that applications for 2015-16 scholarships are open Dec 15 2014 – Feb 25 2015.

To apply, an applicant must provide:
* An essay describing her interest and background in the information security field.
* A current transcript.
* A resume or CV.
* At least two letters of reference (typically from faculty members).
* Her university name and class status.

The scholarship is renewable for a second year subject to availability of funds, given proof of satisfactory academic progress. Preference is for US citizens or permanent residents; funds are available for use at any US campus of a US university.

About:

The Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship is a ten week, full-time experience that places individuals in a Mayoral office or agency.  Fellows are assigned to projects that focus on a myriad of public policy issues and challenges.  Fellows complete projects under the direction of senior level government officials and are provided immediate and direct feedback. 

In addition to gaining valuable practical experience and exposure to local government, Fellows present their findings to the Mayor and cabinet and complete a written final report documenting their research and solutions.  Fellows also enjoy outings and educational events where they network with peers and experience all that Baltimore has to offer.

This is an ideal program for current students and recent graduates with an interest in public service and local government.

This year’s Fellowship will run from June 1, 2015 to August 4, 2015.

Eligibility: 

Students who have completed the equivalent of their junior year of undergraduate coursework by the start date of the Fellowship will be considered.  Applicants need not be enrolled in a graduate level program to be considered.

Apply or Learn More: 

Attached please find a flyer outlining the program.  For further information or to apply, please visit our website: mayor.baltimorecity.gov/fellowship or contact me at bcmf@baltimorecity.gov.

Application Deadline:  March 2, 2015

Name: Clare Dowley

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Major(s)/Minor(s): Mechanical Engineering

Expected Graduation Year: May 2016

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

Despite being extremely busy working over the summer, I had an amazing intern experience. Unrelated to the actual work, everyone I worked with is very nice and friendly. That makes a huge difference when coming into a new workplace. They treated me like a fellow employee instead of an intern to give all the busy work. While I did have some filing and meaningless tasks to do, I was actually given a significant amount of real work. I handled invoices daily, processing things to be paid, as well as work on the Project Completion Report, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Materials, and even some work inside the Performing Arts and Humanities Building. I even got an inside look at the other WT projects on UMBC's campus, such as the new gateway entrance and Lot 29, the new parking lot by Walker field. I am very happy with my internship and the experiences I had this summer.

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

I found this internship on UMBCWorks. I applied online over the winter break and got a call from the woman who was to become my Project Manager. She called to set up an interview for when I was back on campus for the spring semester. I came to the trailers for the interview, we talked for a bit, and then she gave me a tour of Phase 2 of the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, which was then not yet open to the public. A couple weeks later she called again to offer me a position for the summer. The resources I used to get this internship was the resume check at the Shriver Center and the database of UMBCWorks.

Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBCworks

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

I have enjoyed seeing the changes to the campus where I go to school. Having an internship with WT allowed me to have inside looks at the Performing Arts and Humanities Building as well as the new Gateway entrance project and Lot 29, the parking lot next to Walker Apartments. It has been interesting to see the changes as they happen and have the insider information.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

I have gained knowledge of the construction industry. I never knew about the engineering and design side, only the labor. There are some aspects of the projects that require such detail and I did not know such things even had to be considered when designing a building. Walking around the projects with the WT employees caused me to see them from a whole new view that I would never have had walking around a building with anyone else.

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

I would tell others to apply to everything, especially if you're not certain what you want to do after graduation. While I still do not know for sure, I am much closer to that decision after this internship than I was before. I believe the key to that decision will be experience.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

What I liked most about my internship was the level of success with creating positive change around my campus paired with the extreme friendliness of everyone I worked with.

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