Name:  Tahereh Hematian

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Maryland Department of Health

Position Title: Data Analyst

Major or Program: Data Science

Current Class Level: Graduate Student

Work Term: Spring 2022

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

My day-to-day job is utilizing machine learning algorithms for two specific areas: time series analysis and natural language processing. Via these experiences I have gained intuitions as to which machine learning model is the most effective one for the problems assigned to me. Exposure to time series data helped me build a foundation of how to visual and analyze past data and predictions using Python. Also, my day-to-day job begins with a scrum meeting where we review past challenges and plan for the upcoming day. These meetings have provided me with a bird's-eye view of the project landscape, as I have had the opportunity to listen to other team members who work on different tasks.

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

Finding my internship is an interesting story, as I was able to get the position after my first interview in the US. I should note that Mrs. Diane Crump-Fogle played a significant role in introducing me to the position and guiding me through the application process.

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

UMBC Career Center

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

I enjoyed many aspects of my internship, including the opportunity to learn new things and work on projects that allowed for exploration and growth. The joy of my work was amplified by the pleasure of working with two exceptional mentors, Dr. Sharmin Hossain and Dr. Som Mukherjee. They were both understandable, supportive, and insightful, and provided me with the space to explore while encouraging me to build my confidence. Their belief in my potential and guidance in developing the necessary skills and knowledge for success was invaluable.

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

I have developed a pipeline that includes a machine learning time series model for predicting the number of daily crashes across the state of Maryland. My hope is that this model will assist other departments, such as the police department, in allocating their resources more efficiently.

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

Believe in yourselves and your abilities, and take action - take it soon.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

My mentors provided a peaceful environment in which I could work without stress. This helped me to reach my full potential and push myself to achieve even more. I must acknowledge that it would not have been possible without the assistance of the Career Center, who introduced me to this position.

Check out this post on our social media platforms!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram andLinkedIn 

#UMBCintern