When embarking on a job or internship search, if you are like most job seekers, you may be feeling a sense of ambiguity. You may be wondering what’s “out there” for me? What opportunities should I be targeting with my educational background and/or degree? These questions are typical and can often lead to a sense of anxiety and confusion.
Instead of approaching your search from the notion that your major should drive your direction, why not be open to new possibilities? After all, when does life unfold just as you expect? I say embrace the journey – after all, the journey is the destination! When starting out, rather than chasing a specific “path”, having a sense of adventure and openness will not only take the pressure off, you may find an opportunity where you least expect it!
Don’t be limited by your major – but rather think of it as a springboard off which to jump into your next adventure!
UMBC's Career Month begins in April. Throughout the month, we offer an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to explore their professional options through workshops, resume reviews, alumni panels and virtual networking events with employers. Each week we are featuring a different employment industry but with repeating event types.
We encourage all students from freshman to PhD-level to "Be open to the possibilities. Opportunities may exist in unexpected places!"
View the full calendar of events at careermonth.umbc.edu.
Name:Shouray Kumra
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:NewWave Telecom and Technologies Inc.
Position Title:Technical Intern II
Major(s)/Minor(s):Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Data Science
Current Class Level:Master's Student
Work Term: Summer 2020 to Spring 2021
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
My day-to-day responsibilities are based on Azure World, our company works closely with Microsoft, therefore, we make full use of Azure and other cloud services. My role is to be a specialist in Data Engineering Artificial Intelligence using Azure services so that we could offer services to our clients who are looking to switch to cloud based services. I work in a team of 5 where we each have designated responsibilities. Me and one of my team members built an automated Email system using cloud services like AI, Language Understanding, etc. It is published in Microsoft apps which goes by the name 'SmartMailAI'. Currently, our team is working on building a Search Service and will be out soon after the final phase completion.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I started my job hunt journey in early December 2019 and it was late June 2020 until I had any luck. I applied for the position through Indeed. My application was promising and demanded flexibility. I heard back from the company after 20-25 days and was invited to have a virtual interview. The interview was for one hour in which I was interviewed by the VP of Engineering and Microsoft Solutions and the Data Science Head of the company. They were impressed by my resume as I had a publication which helped me to land a job there. I got help to polish my resume in a Resume Review through the Career Center, they corrected my resume and made minor changes. Finally, I used coding practice from 'Hacker Rank' and interview preparation from top 100 questions found on Google.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
The most intriguing thing was that the company was patient with me as I did not have a background in Cloud. I was given time to learn about it as soon as I was handed over a project which required good knowledge about AI services in Azure. I was really excited to get my first project within the first month of my time there. My supervisor is very helpful and supportive which makes me comfortable and this pushes me to be more hardworking.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I successfully finished a project there and it was published as one of the Microsoft's Apps named 'SmartMailAI' which automates the Email process for an organization and helps them to answer thousands of mails within no time. Further, I have made some ads with the help of the creative team of an organization that will be soon published in Microsoft offerings which displays what our company is capable of in terms of AI and cognitive services. I designed the modules and services that will be provided to the customers who decide to take our services. Lastly, I am currently working in a team of 5 to build a search service like google but it offers more in terms of personal data and security.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would advise students to not lose hope and continue their job hunt. I had to try for 8 months before I landed my first job. First thing they should do is book an appointment with the Career Center for a Resume Review, which, in my opinion, is the most critical step as your resume should be flawless. Secondly, never skip a day practicing what you are studying or have on the resume because an organization can ask you unexpected questions from your resume; be thorough with the projects and publications you have on your resume.
Like the Career Center on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
#UMBCintern
Link to the zoom: https://umaryland.zoom.us/j/96623313041
Meeting ID: 966 2331 3041
Instagram: @umbcprepharmacysociety
Facebook: UMBC Pre-Pharmacy Society
and we also have a GroupMe chat:
https://groupme.com/join_group/54738203/uHip512d
and we do have a myUMBC page!
See you there!
Best,
Elizabeth Aguas
As a student, you’ve probably heard how important engaging in internships, research, or service- learning is during your time at UMBC. If you’re a first-gen college student or adult learner who may be navigating employment and/or family responsibilities, you might be wondering “how can I do it?” or “is it even possible for someone like me?”
Internships, research, and service-learning are referred to as High-Impact Practices, which means that they often lead to success for students while in school and after graduation. Though these experiences can require significant time and effort on the part of the student, this doesn’t mean they have to be off-limits to busy students who are navigating multiple other roles in their lives. Explore the resources below to discover ways you can get creative and get involved to gain experience as a UMBC student.
Internships
The UMBC Career Center works with students on a number of topics, including preparing to gain work experience. Internships are the opportunity to gain real world experience within a given industry or field as a student. Many times, these positions lead to full-time job opportunities, whether it be at the same company or by building onto your resume and opening the door for employment with another company. Additionally, these experiences help you explore the career possibilities that exist for your major and help you determine the best job fit for you. Below you’ll find a few suggestions for adult learners and first gen students to explore. Learn more about internships more generally here. Questions? Contact internships@umbc.edu.
Opportunities Include:
Virtual Internships offer the opportunity to work remotely from your own home. Check out Vault, InsideSherpa, and Chegg to get started on the search.
Micro Internships are short term positions that give exposure to a specific field, typically through project work.
Earning academic credit and/or a transcript notation through the Intern Success Practicum course for a current internship or industry relevant work experience is a great way to tie your experience directly to your academic program.
Already employed? Try approaching your manager at your current job about doing a special project that relates to your major or career goals!
Community Engagement
Community engagement is the collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. Community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good. You can become involved in Community Engagement with The Shriver Center in numerous ways. Questions? Contact Kasey Venn at kasven1@umbc.edu.
Opportunities Include:
Service-Learning (096 Community Service & Learning Practicum)
Ability to attend and present at conferences
Research
Undergraduate research can help you clarify your choice of degree program, career interests, and post-graduation plans. Learn about how to get started in research and UMBC resources for funding, presenting, and publishing your research or creative work here! Questions? Contact April Householder at aprilh@umbc.edu.
Opportunities Include:
Undergraduate Research Awards (up to $1500)
Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD)
UMBC Review: Journal of Undergraduate Research
Off-campus research opportunities (REUs)
Presentation Grants (formerly Travel Awards)
Prestigious Scholarships
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? Attend this event onThursday, April 15th from 4-5:30 pm to learn more from professionals representing the above areas, as well as first gen students and adult learners who have experienced it all! ]]>
Name:Dakota Pereira
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:National Gallery of Art
Position Title:Librarian Technician (Student Assistant)
Major(s)/Minor(s):Ancient Studies & History
Current Class Level:Sophomore
Work Term:Spring 2021
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
As a librarian technician intern at the National Gallery of Art's Vertical Files, I am tasked with working with the collection's ephemera–which are materials that were produced with the intent of being disposed of or only had short-term usefulness. These artist materials, such as exhibition notices, pamphlets, among other written works, are valuable to researchers, scholars and the curious public alike.
I largely do telework linking Library of Congress name headers to the artists in the Vertical Files, but I also do work for other departments of the library such as book items for the Circulation Dept. Recently, I had the chance to identify artists' digitized materials for a collection based on David Driskell's 1976 exhibition “Two Centuries of Black American Art”! The projects you're assigned always changes, but it is at a steady pace.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I heard of this position through an email I received from UMBC's History Humanities email listing, I believe during Fall 2020. I made use of a Resume Review to refine my resume before submission and an Interview Practice site recommended.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
This position has been very exciting because not only does it allow me to exercise my thinking during my work, it lets me see how closely tied museum and library settings are linked together.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I've made impact through my work by making these difficult-to-view materials more accessible for researchers–be it new or experienced ones. Having this access allows for new insights from written culture that would otherwise be obscured. This would not only bring about new potential research and ideas for people to engage, but for everyone to take a close look to appreciate the attention given to these artists' work.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Be confident in what expertise you have, even if it was an unpaid opportunity. Having worked in a highschool library before, the experience I had with that position still exists even if it wasn't a paid position–don't be afraid of including valid experience that applies to an internship you're applying for. Adding references for such experiences helps verify that you do have such a background too!
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 Monday!
As part of the registration, you will be asked to:
o Fill out an online form for the Maryland Responds MRC (including signing forms stating they understand their liability coverage and confidentiality issues).
o Complete an online tutorial that explains the Maryland Responds MRC.
o Watch a short training video.
o Complete the scheduled times available to volunteer.
The USM is hoping that hundreds of students respond to the call and fill these critical administrative and support positions at our state’s vaccination sites.
Let’s help GoVax MARYLAND!