For a lot of us, taking UMBC’s language requirement is a pain. Learning a language is difficult, time- consuming, and a tedious task. I know people who chose not to major in Global Studies simply because they don’t want to take a language all the way up through the 300 level.

However, for others, learning different languages is rewarding, fun, and eye-opening. I’m bilingual, and while I may not have the most adept tongue in my second language, I know anytime that I have a successful, somewhat extensive conversation with my grandmother, I feel pretty proud of myself.

For those of you in the second group that find yourself interested in learning new languages, or even for those of you with cross-cultural or international career interests, the Language Career and Internship Fair is a great opportunity for you to see what types of jobs you can have post-graduation.

The Language Career and Internship Fair is an off-campus event that the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) has sponsored. UMCP has been so kind to invite UMBC students to attend (yes, on occasion they can be nice to us). It is on Wednesday, October 19, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The location is:

If you’re concerned about transportation, check out UMBC’s transit schedule here. The MARC Camden line can take you straight into College Park. You do not have to pre-register for the fair, just come dressed professionally and with plenty of resumes in hand!

What are some steps you can take to prepare you for the fair? If any of you saw my previous post about UMBC’s Fall Career and Internship Fair, you’ll find that a lot of this information is  similar, but that’s because it’s important!

1. Get your resume reviewed! We can help you get your resume into its best shape so you can advertise yourself in the best way possible. Drop-in hours at the Career Center are 2-4 PM, Monday-Friday (2nd floor of the Math and Psychology building), and 6-8 PM Tuesday and Wednesday in the Library’s Writing Center.
2. Check out who’s coming to the fair here. Research the employers and see who you’re interested in visiting. Make sure to check out their job descriptions and announcements! The best way to show an employer that you are interested in a position is showing that you took the time to research the company and job requirements. Plus, job descriptions and announcements can often tell you what specific characteristics an employer is looking for in an employee. By researching beforehand, you can plan how you can tailor your experience to fit those characteristics.
3. Create your 30- second commercial. Not sure what that is? Find tips on how to make one here.
4. Dress to impress! Take a few extra minutes to plan out what your outfit for that day will be. Business attire is suggested. I find myself googling what “business formal” vs. “business casual” is every single time I have an interview, so here’s a link to help save you some time.There are a number of career paths you can take for every single interest that you have. Don’t knock out a subject you are passionate about just because you don’t think you can make a successful career out of it.

Take the time to research potential careers, go to networking events like the Language Career and Internship Fair, and  talk to a Career Specialist in the Career Center. We are here to help you make the most out of your college experience and extend your success into your future.