Name: Amanda Pyryt

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: CAT Vehicle REU at the University of Arizona | Title of Your Position: REU Participant

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

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.

This summer, I traveled out to the University of Arizona to participate in the CATVehicle Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with 8 other people to work on a self-driving car. I was assigned a project to work on with a partner, and we created a component that switches between different controllers while the car is driving depending on its current behavior. We also created a modeling language that generates code for our component and allows the set of states of the vehicle and their entry conditions to be easily added or changed at a later point in time. After we finished that, we implemented some controllers and tested them with our component.

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

I actually found the website for this research experience on my own from the NSF website, which lists many different REU's all over the country. I did have help from the Career Center with editing my resume and personal statement.

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

NSF website

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

I enjoyed learning new skills and applying what I've learned in my classes to research in an exciting field. Developing software that will eventually be used to assist in operation of an autonomous vehicle is very exciting! I also liked that our research program had many interesting talks and visits from people in our field as well as classes in professional skills and advice about getting into graduate school.

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

The opportunity to do research at another university on the opposite side of the country was awesome. I met many new people and professionals who conduct research in my area of interest. This experience gave me a glimpse into the field of academia and showed me what graduate school is like. I also enjoyed exploring a new area with a group of new friends!

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

Find an internship that does work that you find interesting, and don't be afraid to leave your home state to get there!

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

This research opportunity has given me the opportunity to work in an emerging field and has taught me so much about the field of Computer Science and Engineering.

Dylan Elliott

Role at the UMBC Career Center: Career Peer Advisor

What are your major(s)/minor(s)?

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of the Arts in History as well as a Minor in Legal Policy at UMBC.

How did you choose your major?

I chose history because I have had a deep and abiding interest in the past since at least the first grade. I knew very early on that I would be a history major in college. I am pursuing a minor in Legal Policy because it is my goal to attend law school and become an attorney.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Never stop. Always keep working harder, pushing farther. Life is never going to be easy, but hard work and persistence can get you where you want to go.

Finally, talk about the Career Center and what it has to offer? What has been most beneficial to you?

Students should visit the Career Center because the things they'll learn and do here will impact them for the rest of their lives. It might seem strange to consider, but the classes, jobs, and internships that they are involved with right now are laying the foundation for the rest of their lives.

What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

My favorite aspect of UMBC is how open it is to opportunity. In a sense, UMBC is a microcosm of the "American Dream." If you believe in something or want to become involved in something there are ways for you to do that. It will not come and find you, but those seek out opportunities will find them.

What is one item on your bucket list?

To attend a Manchester United football match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

All of the history. We are uniquely positioned to take in so much of our nation's important history.

Have questions? Want to connect with the Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our page here: careers.umbc.edu/index

Make sure to follow the Career Center on Facebook, Twitter, and the myumbc group for career events and announcements!

Sue Plitt

Role at the UMBC Career Center: Connecting Employers to UMBC Students

 Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: University of Maryland, University College - Adelphia, MD

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: History for undergraduate followed by a Master of Business Administration. I chose to study History as I have always been a History buff and at the time I was pursuing the degree, my three children were in K-8 programs...a lot of my research projects included family trips to historical sites! The MBA program was chosen as it gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the mechanics involved in running an organization in both the private industry and government sectors.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. 

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: Because believe it or not, we know what we are talking about AND work very hard to offer services, programs and events that will help lead you to a successful career!

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: To sleep in a yurt at the side of a cliff in Big Sur, CA

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: The many, many, many historical sites and museums that are in the area.

Want to connect with Sue or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/