If you've ever had anything you learned greatly peak your interest or you've ever wanted to delve deeper in exploring an idea related to your major, then you should consider conducting undergraduate research!!

Check out the link provided for more information on the benefits of getting involved!! You don't want to miss out.

Also, see what other students in your field have done!

Internship Fall 2014 (9268462)

CBS Radio - Washington, District of Columbia
Job Description

We have internship opportunities for the 2014 Fall Semester in our Washington, DC Market. These learning opportunities include internships within our WPGC-FM Marketing and Promotions department, our WNEW-FM NEWS department, our WJFK-FM Sports Sales department and our Public Relations department.

Spring Internships at World Relief (9268464)

World Relief - nationwide, United States
World Relief is now accepting intern and volunteer applications for January 2015!

Interning or volunteering with World Relief is a great way to add an internationally recognized organization to your resume, to gain a deeper understanding of relief and development work, and to explore the possibility of future employment.

Fall 2014 - Senator Allan Kittleman for Howard County Executive Internship (9268432)
Allan Kittleman Campaign for Howard County Executive - Simpsonville, Maryland

The Allan Kittleman Campaign for Howard County Executive is looking for both full- and part-time interns to join our team for the 2014 Election Cycle (Internship will end on Nov. 14, 2014).Interns will be involved in various aspects of a campaign, including, but not limited to, Finance, Field Operations, Communications, Policy Development, and more!

Human Resources Intern (9268391)

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service - Baltimore , Maryland

The Human Resources Intern will play an essential role in providing excellent customer-service to a team of professionals at Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service (LIRS), as they support partners and communities who welcome migrants and refugees to the United States of America.

Social Determinants of Health Inequity (SODHI) Lab- Research Interns Needed(9268478)

UMBC Psychology Department, Social Determinants of Health Inequity Lab - Catonsville, Maryland

Social Determinants of Health Inequity (SODHI) Lab

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW RESEARCH ASSISTANT’S

The SODHI Lab investigates psychological and social correlates of racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease risk. Students who join will be able to gain valuable research experience while earning research credits.

Summer 2015 Internships (9268467)

United States Department of Education - Washington, District of Columbia

ED Seeks Winter/Spring Interns 

summer_interns 

Become a part of the team! ED's 2015 summer interns participated in a brown bag lunch with Secretary Duncan during their time with the department.

To access these positions, login to your UMBCworks account (via the link in the Jobs & Internships topic in myUMBC) and find details and application instructions as well as hundreds of other job postings! Please note you MUST have an approved resume and be released to apply to internships. To schedule an appointment, access our online system in UMBCworks or call 410-455-2216.

Name: Jennifer Wachtel

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey

Major(s)/Minor(s):  

Major:History 

Minor: Judaic Studies, German, and Art History & Museum Studies. 

Expected Graduation Year: May 2015

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

Working in the archives of the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey, I process collections, describe collections, create finding aids, digitize resources, and optimally preserve rare and fragile photographs and documents. Each day I begin with a new collection box and arrange the records according to their creator and contents. Then I update these records in the database and describe them for researchers. When I create finding aids, I conduct outside research to provide historical context for the collection. Occasionally, I will scan images that the archives might find useful for future exhibits and publication on their website. Finally, I preserve items for longevity, such as brittle newspaper collections, so that they are available for future use.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

At first, I applied to the Morris County Historical Society. Although their positions were filled, they suggested that I apply to the Jewish Historical Society which closely matched the experience I listed on my resume. I found the position simply by following the Morris County Historical Society's advice and applying using the forms on the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey's website. I used an updated version of the resume I created when I was applying for an internship through the Shriver Center as a sophomore. I also used the resources for applying for internships by email available on the Career Center's website. The interview process itself was less formal; although the director called me to confirm my availability, she seemed impressed with my resume and experience right from the start.

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

Contacted organizations on my own.

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

I have most enjoyed the opportunity to work with colleagues who are interested Jewish history. I find that my supervisors, especially the director, are highly knowledgeable about areas of Jewish history of which I was previously unaware. I am also very grateful for the appreciation the archivist shows when I dedicate extra time to making sure the records are as detailed as possible.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

Interning at the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey has revealed that I have much more to learn about my own heritage and about standard archival preservation practices. The Society has recently expanded its mission from Northern New Jersey to the entire state, so I also learned about the behind-the-scenes processes entailed in changing the scope of a historical organization.

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

I would advise going to the Career Center Office as soon as possible to develop a resume and practice interviewing in person and over the phone. I would also suggest referring to their online resources so you can review how to apply for internships by email.

Please provide a short quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

I am so excited that I found an internship experience perfectly suited to my interests! I am also especially grateful that the Shriver Center and Career Center Office prepared me in advance for the interview process.

Have you ever been exposed to an idea or concept in your field that just blew your mind? Do you ever wonder about certain phenomena or ask a lot of "What if" questions?

Well, in case you didn't know, there are a plethora of opportunities for you to take advantage of, one of which getting is getting involved in UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH!

If you've ever wanted to explore a topic pertaining to music a little bit more outside of the classroom and gain an immense amount of personal benefits while you're at it, then this is for you.

Project/travel funding, internships/jobs, professional development skills, priceless and meaningful relationships, chances to publish and present are ALL up for grabs if you choose to enhance your academic career as a student researcher.

Come out to our How to Get Started in Research Workshop on Monday, September 22, 2014 in Lecture Hall 3 at 12 noon for more info!

Also, check out the link provided to see what other students in your field have done!

I’m writing and posting this reflection on the first year “anniversary” of the closing of childcare center on UMBC’s campus. That was a painful and stressful time on campus for many families and their children. Thankfully, UMBC is committed to being a family-friendly campus not only in name but in actions and renovations to restore the childcare center back to working condition will take place this year with a slated re-opening date of fall 2015.

But the issue of childcare extends beyond UMBC. Here’s some startling facts about the state of childcare in the United States.

In many states, the cost of childcare is more expensive than college tuition.

This high price of childcare is particularly important you take into consideration the following statistics found in a National Women’s Law Center analysis of state and national data that addresses the concerns related to low-wage jobs and the intersection of childcare:

• Over 1.2 million mothers with very young children (children ages three and under) are in low-wage occupations (those that typically pay $10.10 or less per hour)
• In every state, working mothers of very young children are disproportionately represented in low-wage occupations.

Moreover, low-wage jobs often entail unstable, unpredictable, or inflexible schedules and lack any paid sick or family leave which can make it difficult to arrange child care. For more information, you can read the full report here.

Getting your college degree and being a parent also isn’t easy. Check out a previous post from our former intern, Emily that specifically focuses the childcare issues faced by college student parents.

There’s also this report from AAUW that specifically addresses childcare issues on a community college level.

And the issue extends beyond access to childcare. These are just two personal stories I’ve heard recently from moms in my life…

A dear friend of mine just had her baby. Leading up to her due date, we spoke about her struggle to understand the ins and outs of her maternity leave (because newsflash: out of 178 nations, the US is one of three that still does not require paid maternity leave benefits). With only weeks to go until her due date, she realized she had been told the wrong information about her leave policies and now had significantly less time to take off during maternity leave than she originally thought. In the moment she wasn’t feeling well and was contemplating starting her leave early before the baby came. She shared with me feeling torn about taking the time off now before the baby was here so she could take care of herself or to save the time for later so she could spend it with the baby once he or she arrived. She asked: “how can I take care of my baby, if I can’t take care of me now?”

*Recent update… there’s a new push underway at the U.S. Labor Department for paid maternity leave. You can read the 9/24/14 article here.

Upon coming back from maternity leave, my sister-in-law, J, inquired with her HR department about a private space she could pump. She was referred to a single-use bathroom that was generally known around the office… and this is her exact quote… “as the place the guys went to take a dump.” J questioned that location as the only solution and asked if she could use a conference room when it wasn’t in use. She was told that using a conference room wasn’t sanitary for other people who use it… you know in case breast milk got all over the place.  Needless to say, she left the meeting crying and feeling pretty hopeless. Thank goodness, HR went back and did their homework and changed their statement when it became apparent that state law made it illegal for workplaces to designate public restrooms as lactation rooms. The next day they turned an empty office into a “wellness center.”

They were probably worried this would happen….

But all joking aside, for UMBC folks, please know the University System of Maryland has a lactation facilities policy and the Women’s Center is the official lactation room for campus. Moreover, on all college campuses that receive federal funding, pregnant and parenting students can find protection under Title IX  which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities.

During the various conversations I engaged in last year when the campus childcare center closed, it was important for me to emphasize that access to childcare wasn’t just a women’s issue. It was a parent issue. A student success issue. A retention and graduation issue. A work-place satisfaction issue. And, while all of that is true, access to childcare and family-friendly work policies are still also women’s issues that impact pay-equity issues, tenure and promotion issues, work-life balance issues and more. As a society, we need to do a better job at supporting our moms and families. It’s time for a culture shift and we all need to be a part of the solution.

* * * * * * * * * 

The Women’s Center has several resources that may be of interest to our UMBC moms and parents:

Mother’s Group list-serv: This list-serv allows members to connect with other moms and parents on campus. Looking for a suggestion for a babysitter, pediatrician, or childcare provider? Email the list! If you’d like to be added provide your contact information to womens.center@umbc.edu

myUMBC Moms and Parents Group: This is clearinghouse of sorts that the Women’s Center created to put all the parenting and childcare resources we know of in one place. Examples of links and documents include the childcare resource guide, employment protections, Grad’s School maternity leave policies, information about Title IX. This can also be a place for parents to post their own discussions or questions.

Childcare Resource Guide: Before the childcare on campus closed, the Women’s Center with the support of the President’s Commission for Women put together a guide to help parents find alternatives to childcare on campus, especially for kiddos between the ages of zero and two. Since the center closed on campus, we’ve added to the guide and continue to update it on a semester by semester basis.

Women’s Center Lactation Room: In addition to the private space, there is also a hospital grade breast pump and a mini-fridge to store your milk (away from everyone’s lunches and dinners).

Mother’s Group Meetings: This is a time for mothers on campus to get together and connect. We’re in the process of re-envisioning what these meetings can look like and how we can make it the best use of time for our busy moms. Stay tuned for updates on when the next meeting will be by following the myUMBC moms and parents page or joining the mother’s group list-serv.