We have all been there: you attend a networking event, exchange a few business cards or LinkedIn connects, and then… nothing. The stack of cards sits on your desk, and the momentum from those conversations slowly fades away. Many students view networking as a one-time transaction — a way to get a quick referral or a resume tip. However, the most successful professionals know that true networking is about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

The "hidden job market" is built on a foundation of trust. That trust isn't earned in a five-minute conversation; it is developed over time through consistent follow-up and genuine interest. To turn a handshake into a career-changing connection, you need a strategy for the long game.

The 48-Hour Follow-Up Rule

A connection is only as strong as the follow-up. Within 48 hours of meeting someone, send a personalized message via email or LinkedIn. Don’t just say "nice to meet you." Mention a specific detail from your conversation — a project they discussed, a piece of advice they gave, or even a shared interest. This small detail proves you were listening and signals that you value their time.

Focus on Value, Not Just Requests

A lasting network is a two-way street. Instead of always asking for help, look for ways to provide value. Did you see an article that relates to a challenge they mentioned? Send it over. Did you attend a campus event that aligns with their industry? Share a quick takeaway. By becoming a source of information and energy, you move from being a "student seeking help" to a "future colleague."

Curate Your "Inner Circle"

You don't need to stay in touch with 500 people every week. Identify a handful of key contacts who truly inspire you or work in your dream field. Set a reminder to check in with them once every few months with a brief update on your academic progress or a thoughtful question. These "low-pressure" touchpoints keep you top-of-mind so that when a position opens up, yours is the first name they remember.

Take the Conversation "On the Road"

The best way to solidify a relationship is to see professional life in action. Stepping out of the classroom and into a corporate environment allows you to meet potential mentors in their element. These off-campus experiences provide a shared context that makes your follow-up conversations much more natural and impactful.

Your Turn

Ready to move beyond the LinkedIn request and build real-world connections? Join the UMBC Career Center for an employer visit to Travelers Insurance, where you’ll learn about their Engineering Development Program (EDP) and take a campus tour.

Tomorrow (4/22) the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center will be closed to support students presenting at URCAD! Spectrum will still take place as planned from 2-3, though! We hope you will join us at URCAD and Spectrum!

Our staff will be available throughout the day if you have any questions or concerns. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu. 

The Women's, Gender, & Equity Center is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. If you have difficulties accessing any of the materials on our site or any of our events or discussions, please contact us so that we can provide an alternative format and/or remedy any accessibility challenges.

Sticking around UMBC during the Summer? Now is the time to start thinking about Summer Housing at UMBC! 

Summer Housing Eligibility

To be eligible for residence, students must be admitted and enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate, or special non-degree seeking student at UMBC and meet one of the following conditions:

• Enrolled in at least one course each session;
• Employed by the University for the summer session; or
• Have a permanent address that is more than 30 miles from UMBC’s campus and is enrolled in a UMBC approved in-person internship in the Baltimore metro area.

Students can be assigned to either the Residential Life Apartments ($40/day) or the Residential Life Halls($35/day). For students assigned to the Residential Life Halls, a Summer Meal Plan is also required. 

The Summer 14 Meal Plan - $30.83 per day / $215.81 per week.  

You can apply for Summer Housing via the Housing Portal starting May 1 For more information regarding Summer Housing please visit our website

Summer Session I Application Priority Deadline:  May 15, 2026 at 5 p.m.

The Office of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Development invites you to attend the upcoming sessions hosted by the Division of Institutional Equity to create the framework for inclusive excellence at UMBC. Graduate students and postdocs are an important part of our campus community, and we want to ensure your experiences and perspectives are considered as we shape institutional change. For more information, see Tanyka Barber's original message below. 

Best,

Yarazeth

Help Shape UMBC’s Inclusive Excellence Framework

Dear UMBC Community, 

Inclusive excellence is at the heart of UMBC’s identity. We are strengthening this commitment by introducing a framework that helps form a shared definition to guide our work.

The Division of Institutional Equity team has developed a draft framework for inclusive excellence, building on ideas shared by our campus community through the series UMBC Talks in 2024 and 2025. The framework is intended to articulate our shared commitments, communicate our values, guide action, inspire collaboration, and support the development and implementation of UMBC’s next strategic plan.

This spring, we are inviting the entire campus community to participate in dialogue sessions to help continue to shape the framework. These conversations are an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on your values, and provide feedback to strengthen this work.

UMBC Talks dialogues are 90-minute, facilitated conversations led by Ciara Christian, M.A. ’18, Ph.D. ’22, director of the Center for Social Justice Dialogue, and David Hoffman, Ph.D. ’13, director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Life.

The following UMBC Talks dialogue sessions are currently scheduled:

• Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. – noon, UC 312 - Focused on graduate student experiences, but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

• Friday, April 24, 2 – 4 p.m., UC 312 - Focused on undergraduate student experiences but open to all. Participants will have opportunities to connect with others who share similar UMBC affiliations. RSVP here.

• Tuesday, April 28, 3 – 5 p.m., Virtual - Open to all. Conversations will take place in mixed groups. RSVP here.

Each session will follow the same format, so you can choose the time that works best for you. We encourage you to participate and share your perspective as we shape this important work together.

Sincerely, 

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

Photo by Hussein Abdullah on Unsplash

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22nd, in the RAC. Get ready to rock the RAC as URCAD celebrates its 30th anniversary!

See over 400 student presentations- posters, performances, exhibitions, oral talks, films, and more!
Keynote speaker, Karena Ingram '16, Music Composition, will talk from 12-1pm on the RAC stage.
For the full schedule of events, see:

Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day – UMBC

ALEX. BROWN CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRESENTERS

Sara Abbas| Intelligent Fault Detection and Risk Management for Autonomous Spacecraft Operations | Mentor: Anthony Campbell | Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

RAC Arena, 10-11am Poster #3

Lehbah Amin, Farell Kimble, Samira Ali| Perceptions of Fairness in AI-Driven Screening Systems Among Undergraduate Students | Mentor: Edward Dillon | Information Systems

RAC Arena, 10-11am Poster #9

Jada Iwuoha| The Campus Connect: A Centralized Digital Marketplace for Student Entrepreneurship and Campus-Based Services | Mentor: Kevin Fulmer | Interdisciplinary Studies

RAC Arena, 2-3pm Poster #34

What? URCAD 30

When? Weds. Apr. 22, 9 am-3 pm

Where? The RAC

Private room available in a 2BHK townhouse for a male at Westland Gardens for a 3-month move-in, available from May 24th to August 15th. 

Fully furnished 2BHK townhouse: 

What you get:

• Spacious living room with sofa + TV
• Fully equipped kitchen (Oven, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher)
• In-unit Washer & Dryer
• Central heating & cooling
• Just a 1-minute walk to the UMBC bus stop
• Only 10 minutes walk to campus

DM for more information: +1-202-937-5716 or email me at IO95979@umbc.edu

This Week in EA:

Global Career Conversations ft. Eddie Resende | Thursday, April 23 | 4pm-5:15pm | UC310

Join the Global Studies Department and the CEO of the largest network of globally minded businesses in the Mid-Atlantic for a conversation about global careers. During his 17-year tenure at WTCI, Eddie Resende has developed many initiatives for the organization, including international business and diplomacy fellowships and conferences, the Global Economic Outlook Report, World-Lens Podcast, and the Maryland Innovation Lab. Eddie and his family migrated to the United States from Brazil when he was 11. He is an advocate for human rights issues, and today serves as the chairman of the board at New American Careers, a social enterprise that connects immigrant professionals to employment opportunities in the U.S. In 2023, Eddie was recognized as one of Maryland’s Most Influential Leaders by the Daily Record.

Advanced Study (MA/MS/PhD) in Germany | Monday, April 27 | 12pm-1pm | Fine Arts Room 459

The German Program at UMBC is hosting an informational event on April 27th, 2026 about financially attractive opportunities to pursue advanced degrees (MA/MS/PhD) in Germany! Hear from Amelia Wallace, Danielle Bolden, and S. Maila Raphael about their experiences with the DAAD and the Fulbright program in Germany. The event will be held in the Fine Arts Building in Room 459 from 12.00-1.00pm.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines:

• Have you confirmed your participation in a Study Abroad program for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Academic Year 2026-2027? If so, please make sure that you have marked your calendar for your Orientation! General Program Orientation is on May 1st from 1:30-4-30pm in ILSB118. If you are unable to make it to your assigned orientation, please contact our office by emailing educationabroad@umbc.edu.

• Advising for Spring 2027 and Winter 2027 study abroad programs is now available! After you have attended a Study Abroad 101 session, email educationabroad@umbc.edu to schedule your meeting!

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions
  Monday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual
  Tuesday | 1pm-2pm | Virtual
  {RESCHEDULED} Friday | 12pm-1pm | Virtual

UMBC students are invited to get involved in the upcoming Free Name Change & Gender Designation Clinic in partnership with FreeState Justice!

Students can participate in two ways:

(1) Volunteer: Sign up to support the clinic and assist with this important community service event.

To sign up as a student volunteer: please review the available time slots and sign up here.

(2) Attend as a client: If you are seeking a legal name change or gender designation update, you are welcome to attend and receive assistance. All are welcome!

Walk-in clients are welcome, but registration is preferred.
 

Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Baltimore County Public Library, Catonsville Branch, 1100 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228

Note: Student volunteers/clients will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the event. UMBC students/clients can take the UMBC Transit Catonsville Line directly from campus to Frederick Road, just a short walk from the Catonsville Library.

FreeState Justice is Maryland’s leading legal nonprofit working to improve the lives of Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

Applications are open for the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Affiliates Program! 

• In honoring UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence, the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program has established an Affiliates Program to support more undergraduate students in pursuing their public service goals.
• The Affiliates Program creates an opportunity for UMBC students who did not apply for or were not selected for the Sondheim Program as prospective freshmen, but whose qualities and goals align with the Sondheim Program. 
• The Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program supports, inspires, and empowers talented undergraduate students as they address society’s most pressing problems. 

Eligibility

For the 2026-2027 academic year, applicants may be:

• Freshmen
• Sophomores
• Juniors
• Transfer students with at least two years remaining at UMBC
• Note: Seniors, graduate students, and current Sondheim Scholars are not eligible to apply
• Applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA.

Application and Selection Process

Deadline: July 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET

The application process will include completing an online application form, and submitting a resume and unofficial transcript by email to sondheimscholars@umbc.edu.

• A cohort of up to 10 Sondheim Affiliates will be selected for the upcoming academic year. 
• Affiliates will have access to many of our Sondheim events, resources, and activities.
• After 1 year of active participation in the program, Affiliates will be eligible to apply for an Experiential Learning Award (up to $5,500) and an Academic Enrichment & Professional Development (up to $550) Award.
• The Affiliates Program is open to students who will be incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and transfer students (with at least 2 years of time remaining at UMBC).

Sondheim Program Affiliates Information Sheet

Sondheim Affiliates Application

Questions can be directed to sondheimscholars@umbc.edu. 

This program is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

🚨 Now Recruiting:

Grant Writing Coaching for NIH Applicants!

The Leadership Alliance is now accepting applications for its Grant Writing Coaching Group (GWCG)—a powerful program designed to support postdocs and early-career faculty preparing NIH proposals.

🗓 Program runs: June 2026 – January 2027
⏰ Application deadline: May 15, 2026
📄 See attached flyer and details for application requirements

Interested? Reach out directly to Dr. Jane Indorf (jane_indorf@brown.edu), Assistant Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, to learn more before applying.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your grant writing and boost your NIH funding success!

Thank you,

UMBC and Brown University

Keith M. Harmon
Director
Meyerhoff Scholars Program
UMBC
410-455-3139 phone
meyerhoff.umbc.edu

Jane L. Indorf, Ph.D.

Assistant Director of Undergraduate & Graduate Programs

The Leadership Alliance

Brown University

www.theleadershipalliance.org