Unlock the Hidden Job Market: The Power of Intentional Networking

When searching for competitive internships, submitting online applications is only part of the equation. Industry data shows that up to 70% of open positions are filled through networking and professional referrals — often before a role is broadly advertised.

Building a strategic network during your undergraduate career does not mean collecting contacts or collecting business cards at random. It means cultivating intentional, mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, faculty, and visiting recruiters who can champion your skills when opportunities arise.

Move Beyond Cold Applications
While applicant tracking systems (ATS) parse hundreds of resumes for single positions, a personal referral from a current employee or visiting representative moves your candidate file to the top of the stack. Reaching out to professionals directly shows proactive initiative, strong communication, and genuine alignment with an organization’s mission.

Leverage the Power of Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are 15-to-20-minute exploratory conversations with professionals working in fields you want to enter. Use these conversations to ask targeted questions about daily workflows, industry skill requirements, and entry-level hiring timelines. Connecting with UMBC alumni is an ideal starting point — they have navigated the exact academic pathways you are in and are often eager to guide fellow Retrievers.

Engage in High-Touch Campus Events
Campus events with specialized employers present offer low-pressure opportunities to build rapport with talent acquisition teams. Instead of simply dropping off a paper resume and moving on, focus on quality over quantity:

• Prepare 2–3 questions about specific team projects or upcoming internship cohorts.
• Collect the recruiter’s contact details or LinkedIn profile.
• Send a personalized follow-up message within 24 to 48 hours referencing specific points from your conversation.

Ready to Build Your Strategic Network?
Put your networking strategy into practice, meet visiting industry representatives, and explore upcoming opportunities at these two upcoming events:

• UMBC Connects: bwtech@UMBC, Thursday, November 5, 2026, 11 AM to 2 PM, on Main Street at The Commons — meet with representatives from 16 bwtech@UMBC client companies and discuss internship, part-time, and full-time opportunities.
• Intern Success Conference, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 4:30 to 6:30 PM in the Skylight Room at The Commons — network with UMBC alumni and employer partners in different industry areas and learn more about landing an internship.

It’s time to turn intentionality into interviews. See you there!