What comes to mind when I think of an activist are images of figures like MLK Jr., Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and others who became symbols of resistance, fighting for civil rights, freedom, equality, or education. This association has made activism feel out of reach for me, something only the Malcolm Xs and Malala Yousafzais of the world can do. I never felt I had the ability or power to do things like organize a protest, start a hunger strike, or other major forms of activism, therefore I didn’t consider myself an “activist.” Yet, I always spread awareness on social justice issues that I’m passionate about, whether it’s posting on my social media channels, implementing themes into my photography, or academic writing.

While social media activism has become synonymous with “slacktivism,” spreading awareness within one’s circle of influence is the first step toward creating change. Problems that we face as individuals are often public issues, even if it feels like we are the only ones struggling. Therefore social media can be a key tool in organizing for change because the more we talk about issues important to us, the more can be done to address them. I often find myself asking “what can I do about it?”, waiting for some opportunity to present itself before I get involved as an “activist.” But I am reminded of President JFK’s famous quote “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This mentality requires us to self-reflect on what skills we bring to the table.

Activism can take shape in many forms. Rallying in the streets of DC, chaining myself to a tree, or engaging in sit-ins aren’t the be-all end-all of activism. I often shy away from activism because I think I don’t have the position or power to be an activist. However, anyone can be an activist if you utilize the skills and resources you do have. Social change relies on an ecosystem where each of us plays a different role. This framework developed by activist and writer Deepa Iyer, calls us to reflect on our roles in the social change ecosystem. Whether we’re the healers, experimenters, storytellers, disrupters, Iyer says everyone has a role to play in the “pursuit of equity, shared liberation, inclusion, and justice.”

Reflecting on my personal experience, I’ve been able to engage in activism through the opportunities I’ve found at UMBC. In March of 2024, I was a participant in the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) experience through the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. During this trip, I was part of the group called “Improving Life After Prison” which was looking into the incarceration system in Baltimore City. We met with various community leaders, organizations, city officials, and those with personal experience in the incarceration system to get a better understanding of the issues people face and the work being done to address them. Although the trip was just a few short days, it was very eye-opening for me, as it was not an issue I was familiar with prior. I was inspired to engage in this important work myself, and decided to apply for an ASB leadership position this year. For the past few months, my co-leader and I have been working to develop an ASB program for Spring 2025, around environmental justice and sustainability. Our hope is to give this year’s cohort as meaningful of an experience as it was for us, so that they may develop the skills and confidence to create change beyond ASB.

As part of my role at the Women’s Center, I’ve also been given the opportunity to engage in activism through the work we do. In many ways, we are working to bring about social change, such as changing the campus climate to that of a more inclusive environment. Through discussion-based programs, educational workshops, or the Take Back the Night Rally, the Women’s Center has empowered me to engage in activism in ways I didn’t think possible before.

Photos taken by me at the Take Back the Night rally 2024

Engaging in student activism has been a transformative journey for me, one that wouldn’t be possible without the many opportunities UMBC provides. It’s taught me that activism isn’t just protests and rallies, it’s a mindset and commitment to making a difference, no matter how small the act may seem. Whether it’s through organizing events, amplifying voices, or fostering meaningful conversations, as students we have the unique power to create ripples of impact. My journey is ongoing. But it has reaffirmed for me that anyone can be an activist, as long as they are driven to make the world a better place.

Graduation is an incredible accomplishment, but it’s also the beginning of a new chapter filled with many opportunities and decisions. Here’s how to set yourself up for success in the post-grad world:

1. Polish Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Make sure your resume highlights your skills, education, internships, and work experiences. Tailor it for the jobs you’re targeting, focusing on measurable, quantifiable achievements. Update your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, an engaging About section, and relevant keywords to increase visibility to recruiters. Don’t forget to showcase your coursework, course projects, certifications, and volunteer experience to further demonstrate your experience.

2. Tap Into Your Network

Your network is one of your strongest assets that can get you a job faster than it takes on average. Reconnect with professors, peers, and mentors who can provide guidance and potentially open doors for you. Leverage LinkedIn to find UMBC alumni in your field and initiate conversations. Reach out to alumni who graduated with your major on Retrievers Connect. Start with a polite, personalized message asking for insights into their career paths or industry trends. If you need help crafting what to say, check out our examples in our Career Guide. Just remember — networking isn’t about simply asking for a job — it’s about building meaningful professional relationships.

3. Explore Career Resources

Take full advantage of resources offered by UMBC’s Career Center. From workshops to one-on-one counseling sessions, these tools can help refine your career trajectory. Follow the Career Center’s myUMBC group to stay informed about upcoming events, blog posts, and helpful resources. Log into Handshake to check out events of interest and set up a job alerts to be informed of the latest openings in your field. And check out our podcast, UMBC Careers Unleashed, to learn more about career topics ranging from the resume to imposter syndrome.

4. Continue Learning

Graduation doesn’t mean the end of learning. Upskilling through certifications, online courses, or professional development workshops can give you an edge in the competitive job market. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or Skillshare offer flexible ways to enhance skills that align with your career goals. Whether it’s coding, project management, or public speaking, showing a commitment to growth demonstrates your adaptability to employers. It’s also a way to stay up to date with relevant industry trends while you’re job searching.

5. Set Clear Goals

Take time to reflect on what you want in your career. Is it working in a specific industry, contributing to a social cause, or continuing your education? Define both short-term and long-term goals and create an actionable plan to achieve them. Break down your objectives into smaller, manageable steps, such as applying to a set number of jobs weekly or attending networking events monthly. Goal setting not only helps you stay focused but also boosts motivation and confidence while navigating an uncertain job market.

Commencement is just the beginning of a journey filled with limitless potential. With these steps, you can transition smoothly into the professional world and take control of your future. Remember, you’re not alone—UMBC’s Career Center is here to support you every step of the way! In case you weren’t aware, you can still schedule appointments with us after you’ve graduated. Just check out our alumni policy and book a session on Handshake. Stay connected by following UMBC Careers on LinkedIn and continue to invest in your growth and network. The best is yet to come!

UMBChas been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) for innovative planning and efforts to encourage nonpartisan voter engagement in the 2024 election. In December, the university received the ALL IN Highly Established Action Plan Seal with a perfect score, and last month was named an ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. 

UMBC’s campus action plan is considered among the best in the country for building and fostering nonpartisan civic engagement. The 2024 ALL in Highly Established Action Plan recognition was awarded to just 228 higher education institutions with strong plans to promote civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation. Action plan strength is determined by reviewing plans with the Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Rubric.

The 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. UMBC joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge; sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN; developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN; having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. 

“Everyone stepped up”

Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, shared, “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box.” 

During the fall semester, students, faculty, and staff all contributed to UMBC’s efforts to plan and engage its community in the 2024 election. From voting education initiatives developed and hosted by Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff and others, to voter registration efforts from various campus units and student organizations, to intentional spaces for processing and learning together, everyone helped members of our community cast their whole vote. 

“More than we have ever seen, everyone stepped up,” said Ricky Blissett ‘11, associate director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. “Every week, we would hear from people on our campus asking, ‘How can I help?’ Students, both as individuals and as leaders of campus organizations; staff, including those representing academic, student affairs, and other campus departments; faculty from every part of our academic community; alumni who participated in programming—from every corner of our campus, people created opportunities for the UMBC community to connect with the election in ways that centered dialogue, exploration of values, and care for one another. We will sustain that momentum as we move forward into the future.”

The “Highly Established Action Plan” and “Most Engaged Campuses” came into being in 2022 and are awarded during election years. UMBC earned both in 2022 and now, 2024. This is the first year UMBC received a perfect score for its action plan. In September 2024, UMBC was recognized for Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout During the 2022 Midterm Elections. 

Over 1,100 students crossed the stage at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena this week at Commencement to take their place as the newest members of UMBC’s alumni community. The Class of 2024 inspired and amazed us during their time at UMBC. 

“Believing you have the ability to impact the world around you is the first step in developing a freedom mindset,” said Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman ’95, interdisciplinary studies, speaking to this year’s graduates. “Your education at UMBC has most likely supported this journey towards having a freedom mindset, and you may not have fully realized that yet.”

In his first Commencement address, UMBC Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen charged the new graduates to take some time to think about how they got here.

I have a private room available for rent starting January 1st,2025. 1 min walking distance from UMBC shuttle and 3-4 mins drive from UMBC Campus.

About the Space:

- The bedroom is spacious and full of sunlight with a good view.

- You’ll have access to a shared (with one female flatmate) full bathroom (you can access it through your room) and a big walking closet in your room

- Spacious shared  balcony 

-  A shared kitchen and living room.

- In house shared washer dryer

-  Bedrooms and doors have locks . So, there will be no compromise with the privacy.

- There’s a designated spacious parking space behind the house with street parking at the front.

Eligibility:

- Only female graduate and undergraduate students  are allowed to be tenants.

Contact Information:

-  5122101870 (Please shoot me a text first)

Rent Details:

- The rent is $718 per month

- A security deposit of one month’s rent is required.

Prohibited Behaviors:

- No couples, smoking, drinking  are allowed.