The Fall Career & Internship Fair is tomorrow! Over 140 companies will descend on the RAC, looking to recruit students from UMBC for full time and internship opportunities. It's the biggest career event of the semester, and you can be a part of it by showing up tomorrow anywhere between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. But Emily, you might ask, 140 companies in the RAC sounds very intimidating. Where do I begin? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Before the fair:

1. Research the companies. Check out the list of companies that will be there including what majors they are looking for, pick your top ten, and give them a google. Figure out what they do and what project you would like to be a part of. Preparation is the key to good networking!

2. Give your resume one final look over (this guide might help) and print out copies. Try to have at least at least ten copies, but bringing a few extras on top of that can’t hurt.

3. Pick out clean business professional clothes. Looking the part is very important. Picking out your clothes the night before can help you avoid unforeseen issues tomorrow morning. If you’re not sure what business professional looks like, check out this guide.

During the fair:

1. Bring everything you prepared the night before plus your student ID. Wear the clothes, keep the resumes protected from the rain, and remember your list of companies.

2. When you get to the fair, check your guide for a map or download the directory in advance. Find the companies you want to visit and make a game plan. Hundreds of students come to the fair, so having a plan of action can help you get through the crowds.

3. Visit your target companies. Network with recruiters. Give your 30-second commercial, discuss why you want to be a part of their company, and give them a copy of your resume. If they give you a card or contact information, keep it in a safe place!

After the fair:

1. Follow up. Reach out to those people who gave you their information. Tell them how nice it was to talk to them and reiterate your interest in their company. A thank you note or email goes a long way!

2. Take a break! Squeeze in a nap if you can fit it between classes and homework. You earned it.

Name:Devin Protzko

Research Site: NASA/JCET

Position Title: Research Assistant

Major(s)/Minor(s):Physics B.S. / Math Minor

Work Term: November 2017 - Present

Tell us about your research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

I am a research assistant with NASA/JCET; mainly in preparation to pursue a Physics PhD. We are gaining a better understanding of hurricane intensification through eddy momentum flux and wavelet analysis, simulation modeling, and statistical variance scaling - as the accuracy of trajectory models have surpassed that of intensification models. My day-to-day comprises processing various forms of data (observational e.g. fuselage IWRAP, or model e.g. LES), morphing the raw data into something more quantitatively and qualitatively analyzable (functions, plots, etc.), reading relevant research, and collaborating with my adviser, Dr. Guimond.

To elaborate on the research itself, we utilize high-resolution observational data (IWRAP) to analyze coherent turbulent structures in rapidly intensifying Hurricane Isabel. Moreover, we use wavelet analyses to compare statistical properties of high-resolution features in observational data to that in model (LES) data, such that we analyze the role of small-scale features in large-scale flow patterns. The main objective is to better understand the physical processes that control hurricane formation and intensity change, specifically the relative roles of environmental and inner-core processes. There is evidence that small-scale processes in the inner core may play an important role in hurricane intensity, but these processes are only partially understood. The features – turbulent eddies, eyewall vorticity waves, mesovortices and hot towers – are on the order of kilometers wide and rapidly varying. Hence high-resolution models are thought to be necessary, but it is not clear what resolutions accurately model the relationship between large and small-scale features.

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

It all happened pretty fast. In Fall 2017, I took an elective called PHYS335 Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere with Dr. Sparling. About midway through the course, Dr. Sparling appreciated my performance, specifically a data analysis assignment comprising NOAA plots and hurricane development analyses. Soon after, I accepted a SURE scholarship opportunity with Dr. Guimond, who is one of Dr. Sparling's colleagues at NASA and has been my adviser ever since. Once the SURE scholarship ran its course and Dr. Guimond wanted to pursue summer work with me, we received summer funding through JCET.

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

I enjoy that I am constantly surrounded by people who are much smarter than me and passionate about their role in the puzzle of research. The scientific community, albeit initially humbling, catalyzes an impulse to share knowledge in a highly ordered manner, allowing for highly efficient communication. But training my brain to properly sift through dense articles has been worth it, such that conversations about niches of my field seem more casual and less esoteric. Secondarily, I lead an active lifestyle and the flexibility of research catalyzes a great work/life balance. For instance, I can set up a hotspot on the beach and work remotely (with adviser approval of course), as long as my deliverable tasks are ready by meeting time.

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

Our spring conference paper has been cited multiple times. Plus we are working on publishing an extension paper of sorts with plans to present it at the AGU (American Geophysical Union) Conference in DC at the end of the year. Coming from a seemingly spectator level as a student, it is very satisfying to interact with the scientific community on a more direct level.

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

Standing out in class is one thing, but reaching out to professors, post-docs, etc beyond class is another. If you have a passion for a field but are unsure/overwhelmed by the sheer amount of paths within the field, just pick one. Some research experience as an undergrad is better than none. Plus, there is high value in acquainting yourself with the academic research process and community.

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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!