Attention UMBC Graduate Students and aspiring Product Managers!

The UMBC Product Management Club invites you to join us at the Graduate Student Fest happening TODAY from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

 Why attend?

• Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about Product Management
• Gain insights into PM career opportunities
• Learn about our upcoming workshops and events designed to enhance your skills

Whether you're curious about Product Management or looking to deepen your expertise, this is your chance to engage with our community and explore the dynamic field of PM.

Look for the UMBC Product Management Club banner at the event. We're excited to meet you and discuss how our club can support your professional growth!

Let's shape the future of products together. See you at the fest!

#UMBCProductManagement #GraduateStudents #ProductManagement #NetworkingEvent #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentOpportunities

Despite what you might read in the news or on social media, diversity is more than just a buzzword when it comes to the workplace. It can actually help companies build innovation, profitability, and employee satisfaction. Here are a few ways that diversity in the workplace can create positive, lasting impact.

Builds Creativity. When organizations bring together employees from different cultural and experiential backgrounds, generating creative solutions can come more easily. Employees are more likely to question the status quo and think outside of the box to tackle complex problems. They take more novel approaches to the work that they do, causing the company to overall be more adaptable.

Fosters Innovation. Diverse teams bring broader perspectives and foster innovation. By challenging conventional thinking, companies can now make decisions that positively impact the bottom line. According to a McKinsey report (1), companies in the top quartile for gender and racial diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Additionally, a BCG study (2) highlighted that organizations with more diverse management teams have a 19% higher revenue from innovation compared to companies with below-average diversity.

Causes Work Satisfaction. Other than financial benefits, diversity promotes a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture, which increases employee engagement and retention. People feel valued when their unique perspectives are welcomed, a consideration that recent grads do not take lightly, nor should they. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), equity and inclusion is a career readiness competency that employers should seek to promote open-mindedness, flexibility, and adaptability in the workplace in order to recruit top talent (3).  

Represents Customer Base. Lastly, having a more diverse workforce better reflects the global customer base companies serve. As businesses operate in increasingly international markets, the ability to meet diverse consumer needs becomes crucial to ensure success. Additionally, companies that embrace diversity and reflect a diverse workforce are seen as more relatable and inclusive by global customers, opening the door for lucrative relationship building opportunities and partnerships.

Increasing workplace diversity isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic imperative for companies hoping to hire and retain the best employees. What that said, students should strongly consider a diverse organization for their next internship or job to experience the benefits firsthand.

If you want to get a head start, join us for our Diversity Recruitment Event on Thursday, October 17^th from 5-8 PM at the University Center Ballroom. This is open to ALL students. Enjoy a free dinner, network with top organizations, and hear from UMBC alum Bobby Allen ’99 about his work at Google.

(1)   https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/diversity%20and%20inclusion/diversity%20wins%20how%20inclusion%20matters/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters-vf.pdf

(2)  https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation

(3)  https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined

Seasonally chilly weather isn't the only thing happening on campus lately. Keep reading to learn more about upcoming events, deadlines, and other news of interest for Asian Studies students! 

Winter Session 2025 Registration Now Available

Registration for Winter 2025 began on Monday! The session takes place in January 2025. Asian Studies students may be especially interested in the following classes, which count towards your ASIA requirements: 

• ASIA 300: Modern East Asia - Prof. Kim - online/asynchronous
• HIST 381: From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature - Prof. Vaporis - online/asynchronous
• MUSC 230: Musics of the World - Prof. Purdy - hybrid (main campus

Note that HIST 381 counts towards your Culture GEP requirements, and MUSC 230 counts toward both Arts & Humanities and Culture GEP requirements. 

Have You Signed Up for Spring 2025 Advising?

The schedule of classes for Spring 2025 will be available next week (Oct 21), and registration appointments begin as soon as October 29. You can sign up for an advising appointment now! Visit our website for more information! 

Only students with clearance from their advisor - Dr. Vaporis or Dr. Kim, for Asian Studies students - can register for classes. Sign up early! 

Save the Date: Anita Mannur Lecture, Nov 11 1pm

Asian Studies is pleased to welcome Dr. Anita Mannur, Director of American University's Asia, Pacific, and Diaspora Program, to campus for a guest lecture on Monday, November 11 at 1pm! Join us in the Library Gallery for Dr. Mannur's talk, "From Pandan Donuts To Masala Chai Ice Cream: Infusing Asian Tastes Into the Ethno-Culinary Imaginary." We'll have more information about this event here on myUMBC, and on our website, soon - stay tuned! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

October 25 – 27, 2024

Mark your calendars for Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 25 – 27, when all UMBC Retrievers, family, friends, and community members are invited to celebrate all things black, gold, and perhaps a little ghostly.

From the carnival to a puppy costume parade, from painting pumpkins to reuniting with fellow alumni, from the men’s and women’s soccer game to a monster dash – UMBC Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024 is a time to reconnect and celebrate your Retriever pride!

Visit Events to register for select events and to see the full schedule.

If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us at homecoming@umbc.edu.

Afrah Ahmes,

'26 chemical engineering - traditional track

When did you do your Research?

Summer 2024

Where was your Research?

Gebbie Group at University of Wisconsin, Madison

What is the focus of your Research?

Investigating the effects of Ion Correlations in the Electrochemical reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia by managing the electrolyte microenvironment.

What was the best part of your Research OR What was the biggest learning moment of your Research ?

The best part was being able to interact with and learn from my mentors and gain insight in graduate student life.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in getting involved in research or an internship?

Never be afraid to reach out to others. Having connections is a very important thing regardless of what you plan to pursue.

Are you a member of any clubs/campus organizations?

UMBC AIChE secretary, ENCH 215 Teaching Fellow, CBEE Student Ambassador

What are your goals after graduation?

Earn a PhD in Chemical Engineering

Learn more about Afrah Ahmes: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/afrahahmed0318