Attention all UMBC student employees!  

What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!

Interested in gaining a competitive edge in the job market? Sign up for PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success this Spring semester. Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events, you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT: Friday, February 27, 2026

Make your campus experience count! Enroll TODAY! Enrollment is limited to the first 40 student employees. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  

Open to all levels and majors. You must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus. 

How to Register Online

1. Log in to Handshake, then navigate to Career Center > Experiences.

2. Click “Submit an Experience” and select “Career Center – On-Campus Student Employment (PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success)” as the Experience Type. Fill in the required fields and submit.

3. Your registration will be reviewed within two business days. The Career Center will enroll you directly upon review along with sending you additional details.

QUESTIONS, please get in touch with Stephanie Taylor Okoukoni (staylor18@umbc.edu) 

Name: Aditya Kulkarni

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Master's Student 

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Brillio LLC

Location of the Organization (City, State): Remote

Title of position: AI Engineer Intern

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

During my internship as an AI Engineer at Brillio, I was part of a team working on building an automated customer care system leveraging Generative AI. My day-to-day responsibilities involved integrating Figma with a React-based application to streamline how customer interactions were captured and processed. I developed workflows that automatically extracted file IDs and node IDs from FigJam URLs, enabling seamless retrieval and processing of customer journey maps. I also worked on setting up automated surveys within FigJam, which generated structured user stories that will later serve as training data for AI models powering the customer care platform. Additionally, I explored the potential of AWS Bedrock and its foundation models for future deployment, documenting how they could enhance scalability and efficiency for the project. Beyond the technical aspects, I collaborated with the design and development teams, managed local plugins, and gained experience in using tools like Figma for product integration. This role allowed me to build a strong foundation in AI-driven application development while contributing to a project with meaningful real-world applications in the healthcare domain.

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

I obtained my internship at Brillio through proactive networking and outreach on LinkedIn rather than a traditional job portal. I came across the opportunity while exploring AI-related roles and decided to directly connect with professionals at Brillio to learn more about the company's work in Generative AI. Through these conversations, I was able to understand how my background in process engineering and programming could align with their projects. After establishing those connections, I was encouraged to apply and submitted my application in early May 2025. This was followed by an interview process where I discussed my technical skills, problem-solving ability, and interest in AI-driven automation. Shortly after, I received an offer and officially started my internship in July 2025.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

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

What I enjoyed the most about my internship at Brillio was the opportunity to work on a project that had both real-world relevance and future scalability. I particularly valued the collaborative environment, where I was able to interact closely with cross-functional teams including designers, developers, and AI specialists. This not only exposed me to diverse perspectives but also helped me understand how different pieces of a project come together to build an end-to-end solution. I found it rewarding to see my contributions—such as integrating Figma with the React application and setting up automated workflows—directly add value to the larger project vision of creating an AI-driven customer care platform. Additionally, the organization fostered a culture of continuous learning, where I had the flexibility to explore emerging tools like AWS Bedrock and gain exposure to cutting-edge AI applications. Overall, the combination of technical growth, teamwork, and the chance to contribute to a meaningful innovation made the experience both enjoyable and enriching.

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

I made an impact through my work at Brillio by helping lay the foundation for an AI-driven customer care platform that can eventually transform how organizations interact with their clients. By linking Figma with the React application and creating workflows to capture and process user journey maps automatically, I streamlined a process that would have otherwise required manual intervention. Setting up automated surveys within FigJam that generated structured user stories also provided the project team with a scalable method of building training data for future AI models. These contributions not only saved time for the design and development teams but also ensured that the project moved one step closer to achieving its long-term vision of an entirely automated customer center. Beyond the technical work, I contributed to documentation and knowledge-sharing, which will help the team continue building upon the systems I helped integrate. While my internship was short, the tools and processes I implemented will have lasting value for the project.

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

My advice to another student seeking an internship or similar experience would be to focus on proactive networking and showcasing genuine curiosity about the work being done at an organization. Many opportunities don't come solely through job portals but through reaching out directly to professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, starting conversations, and demonstrating how your skills align with their projects. It's also important to tailor your application materials to highlight both your technical expertise and your ability to work collaboratively, since employers value problem-solving and communication as much as hard skills. During the internship, stay open to learning beyond your immediate tasks—sometimes exploring a new tool or contributing to documentation can make a lasting impact. Finally, don't hesitate to ask questions and seek feedback; showing initiative and a willingness to learn often leaves a stronger impression than having all the answers.

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

I really enjoyed the collaborative environment at Brillio, where I could see my work directly contributing to an impactful AI-driven project. The Career Center's guidance on refining my application materials and networking strategies gave me the confidence to reach out on LinkedIn and ultimately secure this opportunity.

Name: Harshal Chauhan

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Fall 2025

Major: Information Systems (Health Informatics)

Current Class Level: Doctoral Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Maryland Department of Health (MDH) – Public Health Workforce Internship Program Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration Team

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, MD

Title of position: Public Health Intern (Quality Measure Set (QMS) Survey and Data Research Intern)

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

As a Quality Measure Set (QMS) Survey and Data Research Intern with the Maryland Department of Health, I support statewide quality improvement initiatives focused on Medicaid beneficiaries receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). My day-to-day responsibilities include administering and analyzing the Experience of Care Survey for participants enrolled in programs such as Community First Choice, Brain Injury Waiver, and Community Personal Assistance Services. I conduct participant outreach, track survey responses, and ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines. Additionally, I assist with data analysis to identify trends and performance gaps, contribute to the development of quality metrics, and help prepare summary reports and recommendations used for internal planning and policy decision-making. This role allows me to work at the intersection of data analytics, public health research, and health policy implementation.

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

I first learned about the Maryland Department of Health during a UMBC career fair in 2023, where I spoke with a representative and was introduced to the Public Health Workforce Internship Program. I applied for the internship in January 2025. In August 2025, I received two follow-up calls for 2 internships from MDH to confirm my interest and availability, followed by a second-round virtual interview with my direct supervisors. I received my formal acceptance later that same month. The process reinforced the importance of persistence and staying engaged, even when opportunities take time to materialize.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs

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

What I have enjoyed most about this position is the flexibility and genuinely supportive work environment. My team has been welcoming, understanding, and deeply committed to mentorship and learning. I have been encouraged to ask questions, contribute ideas, and grow both technically and professionally. The organization values collaboration and provides meaningful exposure to real-world public health challenges, making this an exceptional learning experience. 

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

I believe I have made a meaningful impact through my work. By supporting survey administration, response tracking, and data analysis, I have contributed to improving the accuracy and usability of quality measurement efforts within Maryland Medicaid's HCBS programs. The tracking tools and analytical support I provided helped ensure timely follow-up, better data integrity, and actionable insights that can inform quality improvement and policy decisions affecting vulnerable populations.

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

My advice to other students is to remain persistent and patient. Continue applying and believing in your goals, even if responses take longer than expected. I initially applied for this role for Spring 2025 and did not hear back until Fall, but staying consistent paid off. Networking, following up, and trusting the process are just as important as submitting applications.

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

Favorite Quote: "You worry about the results, but have you ever paused to ask—what if?" What I valued most about my internship was the supportive and flexible environment that allowed me to apply my academic training to real public health impact. The UMBC Career Center played a vital role by connecting me to this opportunity and supporting me early on with resume formatting and career guidance.

 A LIVE online conversation on racial healing, cultural resilience, and youth leadership in Baltimore and beyond.

Join us as we…

• honour the intention of the Day of Racial Healing by creating space for reflection + action: exploring how racial healing plays out at individual, community, institutional, and generational levels.

• elevate the lived experience of young people in West Baltimore alongside seasoned leaders, underscoring that healing and transformation require all voices working together.

• highlight the intersection of arts, health equity, and higher education as strategies for racial healing and community flourishing.

• generate tangible next steps: commitments, resource sharing, connection building among participants.