At the start of a new academic year, many students arrive at UMBC hoping to land an on-campus job right away. These roles can be a great way to earn income, build experience, and connect with the campus community. But before getting too caught up in the excitement of applying, it’s important to understand the reality: on-campus jobs are limited and highly competitive.

Why On-Campus Jobs Are Limited

On-campus roles are in high demand at UMBC, and the number of positions is usually much smaller than the number of students who apply. Many jobs open only at certain times of year, and some positions prioritize students who are work-study eligible. For international students in particular who are typically only eligible to work on campus their first year, this means the competition is even tougher.

How to Stand Out as an Applicant

While you can’t control the number of jobs available, you can control how you present yourself:

• Polish Your Resume: Make sure it’s clear, concise, and highlights skills relevant to the position.
• Be Flexible: Consider a variety of roles across campus — from administrative offices to research roles to tutoring. The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll find.
• Show Initiative: Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and a willingness to learn. Employers want students who will show up on time and contribute positively.
• Leverage Connections: Talk to peers, faculty, and staff who might know of openings. Sometimes opportunities are shared through word of mouth.

Other Ways to Gain Experience

If you don’t land an on-campus job right away, don’t lose hope. There are many other ways to build skills that employers value:

• Volunteer with campus organizations or community groups.
• Join student clubs to practice leadership and teamwork.
• Consider programs and initiatives at The Shriver Center that focuses on community-engaged, applied learning.
• Work on personal or research projects that showcase your talents.
• Explore short-term, project-based experiences like micro-internships from Parker Dewey. 

Remember: not having an on-campus job doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. Employers care about the skills and experiences you bring — not just where they came from.

Take the Next Step

Missed this week’s On-Campus & Part-Time Jobs Expo? It’s not too late to reach out to employers. Check out the Directory to see who’s hiring, and find their positions on Handshake. Ask questions and make connections along the way. Good luck, and reach out to the Career Center for more support as needed.  

Name: Amal Imtiaz

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Psychology

Current Class Level: Senior

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Child and Family Therapy Clinic (Kennedy Krieger Institute)

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

Title of position: Undergraduate Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities: During my internship at the Child and Family Therapy Clinic, I was able to learn about clinical psychology by learning and observing from the daily routine of the clinic. On a day-to-day basis, I would check if any standardized psychological assessments needed to be scored, including the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, 2nd Edition (MASC-2), the Children’s Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition (CDI-2), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2). Additionally, I observed both live and recorded clinical sessions involving clients with diverse diagnostic profiles, including trauma-related disorders, OCD, ADHD, and ASD. On a weekly basis, I participated in individual supervision sessions with post-doctoral fellows, focusing on their case conceptualization and treatment planning. Additionally, I attended clinic-wide group supervisions that emphasized evidence-based interventions such as Functional Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. 

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

I heard of my position via Handshake and applied through the application option on Handshake. I submitted my resume in Fall 2024, and went through an online group interview before final selection for a Summer 2025 internship.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Handshake

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

I enjoyed the chance to directly observe clinical sessions and learn from the thoughtful, skilled clinicians who were always open to answering my questions! It’s rare to be given access to sessions with clients before graduate school, and I was genuinely grateful for the trust my supervisors placed in me. Being able to see clinical work in action gave me a deeper understanding of the field and only strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in clinical psychology.

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

I feel that by expressing a genuine curiosity for the work and making myself readily available to staff, I was able to provide assistance for special projects as needed. For example, I was one of only two interns who served as a role-play patient to train doctoral interns on how to conduct a patient safety screening. These types of trainings are crucial for effective doctoral training and I am happy I was able to assist!

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

For students seeking a similar experience, I recommend keeping your resume and Handshake regularly updated. Additionally, make sure your applications highlight why you are specifically interested in clinical work and what relevant prior experience sets you up to contribute at a clinic (i.e. research experience, coursework in psych assessment, etc . . .)

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

I truly enjoyed the opportunity to learn about clinical psychology through observing real patient sessions! I appreciate how the Career Center connected me to this experience and helped me make the most of it through their CAHSS stipend and summer practicum!

As we kick off a new academic year, it's the ideal time to gear up for the fast-approaching fall recruiting season. Many industries — especially competitive ones like finance, consulting, and tech — begin hiring soon after the semester starts. Whether you're aiming for an internship or a full-time role, early preparation can make all the difference between being overlooked and landing an offer.

Why Being Proactive Matters

In sectors like tech and finance, applications often open in August/September, with interviews and offers coming as early as November or December for May graduates (1, 2). Missing this window could mean losing out on top opportunities before you even begin. In fact, many employers convert a significant portion of their interns into full-time hires, meaning your summer internship strategy can shape your future career path (3).

Get Ready Now

1. Clarify Your Career Goals
   Knowing what careers and roles interest you is the foundation of effective prep. This does not mean that you need to know every applicable job title. Reflect on your strengths and skillsets, and map out your internship or job preferences. Companies will be more interested and engaged when you can articulate why you're a strong match.
2. Target Companies Strategically
   Don’t cast a wide net without intentionally considering your options. Identify organizations that align with your values, culture, skill sets, and industry goals. Think about the kinds of problems you want to help an employer solve as well. Develop a shortlist of companies to follow closely. Tailoring your approach based on how your experience is relevant to an organization makes a stronger impression than generic outreach.
3. Polish Your Documents
   Your resume and LinkedIn profile should highlight tangible evidence and leadership  — whether that’s through academic projects, extracurricular achievements, or internship experiences. Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame how to best showcase successes and skills. Quantify impact as much as possible.
4. Network Thoughtfully
   Since the Fall semester brings job fairs and info sessions the groundwork starts now. Reach out to alumni for informational interviews on LinkedIn or Retrievers Connect. Attend relevant workshops and events to build rapport and relationships before hiring ramps up.
5. Practice Interview Skills
   From behavioral questions to technical interviews, preparation for what’s ahead builds confidence. Use mock interviews through a Career Center appointment or Big Interview to improve your delivery and composure. Early practice ensures you're ready when opportunities surface. 

The Timeline: Fall Recruiting in Context

• August–September: Recruiters post internship and entry-level positions, especially in tech and consulting.
• September–October: Networking and career fairs are in full swing.
• November–December: Offers begin rolling out — often before the semester wraps up.

By following these tips and being proactive, you'll be ahead of the curve when competition heats up.

Act Now: Join Resume Rescue

Need help getting your resume polished and interview ready before all the action starts? Join us at Resume Rescue on September 2^nd or 9^th for tailored help on your resume. 

And be sure to subscribe to the Career Center’s myUMBC group to get notified of all our recruitment events.

Final Thought
Fall recruiting doesn’t wait — and neither should you. By setting clear goals, targeting the right organizations, and refining your materials and network now, you’ll be well-positioned to stand out and succeed. Make the most it and lay the foundation now for future success. You won't regret it. 

(1)   https://yello.co/blog/planning-your-fall-recruitment-season-and-heading-back-to-campus

(2)   https://www.levelall.com/blog-posts/fall-internship-recruiting-timeline-land-a-corporate-internship

(3)   https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/trends-and-predictions

Name: Lahari Vuppalapati

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science

Current Class Level: Masters Student

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Kaya Global Inc.

Location of the Organization (City, State): New York, NY

Title of position: Technology Summer Intern

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

During my internship at Kaya, I was actively involved in both functional and technical tasks that contributed to real-time AI customer simulation and product workflows. My day-to-day responsibilities included analyzing dialogue flows, testing the AI assistant’s behavior across various automotive scenarios, and ensuring smooth handoffs between AI and human agents. I worked closely with mentors and team members to validate conversation designs, identify bugs, and offer improvement suggestions. I regularly documented findings, clarified task scopes with my mentor, and contributed to building testing processes for new use cases. Over time, I also expressed interest in participating in more technical development efforts, aiming to deepen my understanding of the product and support the engineering team where possible. This internship gave me a hands-on view of how AI solutions are built and validated in a professional environment.

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

I obtained this internship position through an internal application process facilitated by the Talent Acquisition team at Kaya. I first learned about the opportunity early in the semester when the team reached out directly. After expressing interest, I proceeded through the interview process, which also included discussions about my background, technical interests, and cultural fit with the team. The interviews were completed by April 2025, and I received an official offer during the second week of May 2025.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media

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

The organization fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where asking questions and learning from others is encouraged, which has greatly helped me grow both professionally and personally

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

By proactively communicating challenges and helping streamline the workflow when collaboration issues arose, I helped maintain momentum and ensure deadlines were met. 

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

I would emphasize the importance of starting early and being intentional throughout the process. Begin by identifying your interests and aligning them with potential roles. Tailor your resume / cover letter for each application, highlighting relevant coursework, projects, or personal initiatives. Once you apply, keep track of deadlines, follow up when needed, and prepare well for interviews. Practice articulating your experiences clearly and confidently. After landing the internship, be proactive in your contributions. Take initiative, ask thoughtful questions, and build connections with team members. Approach even the smallest tasks with dedication, as each one contributes to your learning. Show consistent growth, ask for feedback, and express interest in more responsibility when appropriate.

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

What I liked most about my position was the constant feedback and update sessions with my HR, and the active engagement and support whenever we wanted to build or explore something new. The Career Center’s resume review helped me present my experiences more professionally, which gave me the confidence to pursue and secure this opportunity.

Name: Mustafa Akpinar

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Information Systems 

Current Class Level: Senior

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

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

Location of the Organization (City, State): Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Title of position: Cyber Threat Intelligence Intern

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

This summer, I am interning at AstraZeneca as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Intern, where I support the global security team in identifying and analyzing cyber threats. My day-to-day responsibilities include creating reports on Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), third-party assessments (3PA), and vulnerabilities. I use tools like Confluence and Jira to document findings, track progress, and contribute to team workflows. In addition to technical work, I regularly respond to emails, attend team meetings, and participate in collaborative discussions with security professionals. Beyond the technical experience, AstraZeneca offers engaging intern events such as rooftop socials, site visits, and even a team outing to a baseball game, which have helped me build connections across the company!

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

I discovered the internship on LinkedIn and applied cold in November 2024. The process moved slowly, and although I initially received a rejection, I was later thrilled to learn the position had reopened—and I was offered the role in March 2025! The interview process consisted of one Zoom meeting with my department manager, where she asked questions about my resume and my experience with tools listed in the job description. I officially began the internship at the end of May and will continue through the end of August. It’s been an exciting journey, especially with the unexpected turn of events that led to this incredible opportunity!

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’ve enjoyed most about my internship at AstraZeneca is the balance between technical growth and community engagement. Not only have I been able to develop my skills in cyber threat intelligence and work on real-world reports that contribute to the organization’s security posture, but I’ve also been part of an incredibly welcoming and supportive team. The intern programming—from rooftop socials to site visits—made the experience even more memorable and helped me feel like a true part of the company.

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

Through my reports on APTs, third-party risks, and vulnerabilities, I’ve helped inform decision-makers and enhance AstraZeneca’s ability to stay ahead of potential threats. By organizing detailed and timely information, I’ve contributed to risk awareness and mitigation efforts across the security team. My work has supported real action—and knowing that my efforts help protect a global healthcare organization makes the experience incredibly meaningful.

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

Don’t be afraid to cold apply and keep putting yourself out there, even if you face rejection. Rejections are not the end—they’re often redirections. Make sure your resume is clear and tailored to the role, and be ready to speak confidently about your experiences and the tools you know. Also, don’t underestimate the value of persistence. My internship offer came after I had already been rejected, which proves you never know when the door might open again.

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

“What I liked most about my position was being trusted to work on real cybersecurity challenges that matter. The Career Center’s resume guidance and internship tips helped me feel prepared when opportunities finally came my way.”