The Women's Center exists to assist all women in achieving their full potential in education, career, and personal life through academic and intellectual growth, professional development, and personal empowerment. One of the ways we work to achieve this mission is in our support services and programs for Returning Women (undergraduate students over the age of 25). The Women's Center supports these students through a peer mentoring program, targeted events and forums, and scholarship opportunities. If you’re interested in learning more about the Returning Women’s meetings or scholarships, contact us at womens.center@umbc.edu. 

Who are you? 

I am a transfer student studying Social Work with a Psychology minor. I am a mother to my 9 year old son and I work at the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Community College of Baltimore County Essex Campus.  I was a stay home mother before I decided to go back to college. I like to dance, read and watch documentaries -- PBS/WETA is my favorite TV station. I like to travel and I try and visit a new state/country every year with my son. 

What benefits have you experienced as part of the Women's Center's Returning Women Students programming?

It is not easy as a first year student at UMBC.  But being part of Women’s Center, I have been able to transition better than I had thought. Everyone has been helpful and this has reduced my stress level as a new transfer student. The scholarship awarded has helped me tremendously, financially and emotionally as I do not have to worry about my finances. Meeting other members who have the same struggles as me has made me realize that I am not alone and this has helped me fit in.

What do you wish traditional students knew about being a non-traditional student?

We may have used a different path but we are striving for the same goals—to succeed and have a better life, economically. I may come to class with untidy hair or mismatched shoes, but this could be because I was up all night with a sick child and at the same time trying to finish my school work. I am not always untidy.

What do you wish professors and the university knew about being a non-traditional student?

I would like them to know that when I miss a class or I am late for class it is not because I choose to. Sometimes I am late for class as I had to pick and drop my son home from school before running to class or when I miss a class my son is home sick and needs my attention. Another example could be a supervisor wants me to stay longer at work despite knowing I have another commitment: being in class. Being a single parent has its challenges but I have a passion to learn from you. 

What is one piece of advice you would offer to new non-traditional students at UMBC?

Get involved as much as you can with the organizations and clubs. Don’t be nervous to ask for help from your professors and students who have been at UMBC longer. Relax a bit and do not be nervous to participate in class just because 97% of students are traditional students, we learn better from participating in class. 

Name: Kenneth L. Pittman ‘80, economics, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®
Employer: PNC Wealth Management
Alumni leadership role: President of the UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors

Q: Where are you from originally?
Annapolis, MD

Q: What’s your favorite UMBC memory?
Meeting my (future) wife at Dr. Peake’s Halloween Party

Q: Why are you involved in an alumni board or chapter?
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby or pastime?
Power boating and scuba diving.

Q: If you were an Olympian, what would be your sport/activity of choice?
Decathlon.

Read more about the Alumni Association!

Need assistance with a resume, cover letter, or have quick questions? Stop by during our drop-in hours!

Seniors: Employers do their heaviest recruiting from October to May!  Start updating your resume today so you can be the top candidate!

Juniors and sophomores: Update your resume and cover letter with all of your accomplishments for internships, research, and part time positions.

Freshman: Welcome to UMBC! A college resume is quite different from a high school resume! Come drop in at the Career Center for some tips and advice.

Even if you don’t think that you have anything to include on your resume, come in anyway.  We can help you put together a resume based on your life experience and transferable skills.

Hours:

We offer 15-minute drop-in appointments Monday-Friday from 2-4 PM for quick resume critiques, on-the-spot job search advice, and an overview of services.

Please bring a hard copy of your resume or cover letter for review, upload the document to UMBCworks or have it accessible using the Internet so you can print the document in our reception area. Drop-in appointments are taken in our main office, Math/Psych 212, on a first-come, first-served basis with the last drop-in taken at 3:45PM.

We also offer assistance with resumes, cover letters, and quick questions in The Writing Center on the first floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-8 PM.

If you are not available during these hours, you can schedule an appointment: online using UMBCworks, call our office (410-455-2216), or stop by our office (Math/Psyc 212).

The Resume: Your 15-Second Chance to an Interview

If you are applying for internships or jobs, you will need a well crafted resume. Carefully crafted resumes are your key to obtaining invitations to interviews. 

Resumes should be tailored to the positions for which you are applying. Employers use resumes to judge qualifications and skills as they relate to the available position. 

A resume can be considered a brief commercial. The goal of a resume is to convince the reader to invest in what you have to offer.

Parts of a Resume: Contact Information, Education, Course Projects, Work Experience, Special Skills and Training, Professional Memberships, Publications, Presentations, Activities, Military History, Honors/Awards, Travel/Study Abroad Interests

For samples and more information: View Pages 10-23 of the Career Development Guideand http://www.careers.umbc.edu/skills/resume/.  Additional samples can also be found on our Career Paths website                                

Cover Letter

A cover letter is required whenever you are not present to personally introduce your resume, unless the employer specifically states that they do not want cover letters.

Employers want to see how you are able to communicate through the written word and this is your first opportunity to show them your abilities and to make the best first impression possible.

The cover letter provides you with the opportunity to introduce yourself, express your interest in a position, offer extra details, and show your personality.

Parts of a Cover Letter: Why You’re Writing, Why Hire Me, Next Step.

For samples and more information: View pages 25-26  of the Career Development Guide

If you need help with getting ready for your job search, don’t hesitate. Stop by Career Services today. We’d love to see you there.

It was coined the March on Washington of today’s generation.

And like the march led by Dr. King in 1963, the situation is dire.

Motivating the marchers is the concern that the country, as well as the world, is entering a dangerous phase. So concerned are people that the normally absurd cry of  “THE END IS NEAR” is spilling from the mouths of some of our most respected thinkers.

If the end is indeed near, then perhaps we should try to do everything we can to stop it because, ya know, It is probably a good idea to ensure the survival of our species. That’s why the People’s Climate March this past weekend was so important. 

While 300,000 people converging in New York to save our ship is pretty cool, it was the voices and signs all over the world that were sobering, showing the massive scope and urgency of the climate change issue. Islanders in Kiribati, city-dwellers in Montreal, and others from all over the world were demanding action from leaders at the UN Summit that will be happening this week.

Check out this recap of Sunday’s events from across the globe. The People’s Climate March may have been the start of the global movement our planet has been hoping for.

On Sept 18th the people voted, the people decided. And the Kingdom will remain intact.

After a historic referendum to determine their political future, the Scottish people decided to remain a part of the United Kingdom rather than become a sovereign state. The final vote: 55.3% for the status quo, 44.7% for independence.

But while the debate is over, the controversy rolls along.

Alex Salmond, the independence movement’s head honcho, is already crying foul, saying that his fellow Scots were tricked into voting “no.”

Meanwhile, the Scots’ vote has already inspired one other nation-group to push for its own referendum.

The Scots may not have broken free, but they end up changing world politics yet.