It is likely that social media is a part of your daily routine and a main way that you stay socially connected to friends and family.

But perhaps you don’t know some of the more unique ways social media can help maximize your overall college experience.  If that’s the case, let us highlight three ways you can use social media as a college student:

Connect with UMBC Offices and Organizations

Many UMBC offices and organizations have their own active social media accounts. You can follow a UMBC office or organization to learn more about the services they provide or exciting opportunities they have for students. And some, like our office, welcome DMs (direct messages) from students regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

Check out some of these UMBC social media accounts:

UMBC Life

UMBC Campus Life

SEB (Student Events Board)

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Career Center

UMBC Athletics

Network with potential employers

Whether you are on the hunt for an internship, job, or exploring graduate school opportunities, following the social media accounts of places you’re interested in can tell you a lot about its mission, values, and community. This can give you some insight into whether or not a place would be a good fit for you. Some companies and organizations might even use their social media accounts to advertise employment opportunities.

If you are preparing for an internship or job interview, the information you gather from social media can then be used to show that you’ve done your research and have a working knowledge of the company or organization’s practices and current ventures.

Having a LinkedIn account is a great way to connect with professionals working in the field you are interested in. Using LinkedIn, you can message professionals to set up informational interviews (i.e. - to learn about how they entered into the field or to learn more about their job). You could also use a site like LinkedIn to join interest groups and participate in online discussions related to your field of interest.

Learn more about LinkedIn and how you can use it effectively as a college student here.

Gathering Survey Data/Assistance with Class Assignments

Do you need to conduct research for your class? Whether posting qualitative questions you want students to respond to, or sending out a survey link, social media can help you get responses from a larger group of people in a shorter amount of time – just be sure to check ahead of time to make sure your professor is okay with you using this method to gather information!

Additionally, if a class assignment requires community-based work or research, you can use social media to help you connect and network with local organizations that may be able to assist you.

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Bonus:

Check out this UMBC course!

MCS 355 – Social Media: Networking and Mobility; pre-requisites are MCS 101 or 222 and ENGL 100 or equivalent

This course is designed to encourage students to critically engage with the growing role that social media, online networks, and mobile communication technologies play in their understanding of self and community, sociability and privacy. Students will reflect on the centrality of collaboration, networking, and participation in social media technologies. Assignments and readings will require students to interact with core questions surrounding the emergence of social media and the impact of living increasingly mediated lives. Special attention will be paid to the centrality of writing in a digital world, even as the platforms for composition, editing, and publication have changed.

Enter The UMBC Financial Literacy Enthusiast Contest by March 22nd:

1st Prize – $250 campus card deposit
2nd prize – $100 campus card deposit

Winners will be announced during Money Smart Week in April!

Click on the link to learn more about this great opportunity!

Enter The UMBC Financial Literacy Enthusiast Contest by March 22nd:

1st   Prize – $250 campus card deposit

2nd  Prize – $100 campus card deposit

Click on the link to learn more about this great opportunity!

Name: Nazily Zaza

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Northrop Grumman

Position Title: Technical Intern

Major(s)/Minor(s): Computer Science

Current Class Level: Senior

Work Term: Summer 2019

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

At Northrop Grumman, I worked as a technical intern doing software engineering work. I worked on a Northrop internal research project that included using skills that I never thought I would work on in a technical internship such as various types of code management and design, how to conduct technical research, and how to appropriately present my work findings. My day-to-day activities included code writing, review and editing, and helping out wherever needed in our lab. I also participated in intern activities that allowed me to learn about all the different aspects of the Northrop company. It was a very enlightening experience.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I was contacted by email by a Northrop recruiter who had cited that they had reviewed my resume from UMBCworks and wanted me to attend an interview session being held in the University Center. I got myself ready for the interview and when I attended I was welcomed by the recruiter and we talked about my projects, classes, what I enjoyed learning in school, and what I wanted to do with my degree. It was an experience that was different from the usual technical interview, and I was really able to shine and sell myself.

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

The thing I enjoyed most about my position were the individuals I got to work with every day. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to do my best during my work but the people I got to work with over the summer were some of the nicest and most intelligent individuals I met. They helped me every step along the way and got me acquainted to the work that I'd be doing because it wasn't easy. They made my transition smooth and made my summer experience one I'll never forget.

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

Northrop Grumman is a company that makes and sells products, mainly to our government, that is used to protect our country every day, and I get the pleasure of knowing that the work I did may play a future role in making the lives of people easier. I wanted to become a software engineer so I could make something that would make a difference in the world, and I really do believe that I can do that at Northrop Grumman.

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

My best advice is to keep working hard and take every chance you can at an opportunity because you never know when that will be the one that changes your future. Whether you get an internship late or early make sure your enthusiasm to learn and grow never diminishes!

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!

Have you heard about The UMBC Financial Literacy Enthusiast Contest? 

Prizes you can win:

• 1st – $250 campus card deposit
• 2nd – $100 campus card deposit

Hurry before time runs out!

Click on the link to learn more about this great opportunity!