The UMBC Career Fair is on September 17 - ensure your resume is in top shape.

Join me for one-on-one resume review sessions to:

• Strengthen formatting and structure

• Highlight your skills and experiences effectively

• Tailor your resume for jobs, internships, or graduate opportunities

Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Commons 318

Your resume is your ticket to opportunities—let’s make it shine.

Name: Viyali Bhattacharjee

Pronouns: She/Her  

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Environmental Engineering

Current Class Level: Master's Student

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

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

Location of the Organization (City, State): Alexandria, Virginia

Title of position: Intern Engineering Designer

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

My internship at TYLin as an Intern Engineering Designer in the Water division has been both technically enriching and personally rewarding. On a day-to-day basis, I have worked on condition assessment reports, supported stormwater management initiatives, and contributed to water and wastewater infrastructure projects. I also had the opportunity to work on the Community Rating System (CRS) project conducted by FEMA, which focuses on improving floodplain management practices and reducing flood insurance costs for residents. Along the way, I developed technical skills in ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap, assisted with data analysis and mapping, and gained exposure to the permit review process and water treatment plant design. The balance between meaningful technical tasks and a supportive, collaborative work environment has made this internship a transformative experience.

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

I came across the TYLin internship posting in December 2025 and decided to apply. After submitting my application, I received an email from HR around 2nd week of January for an initial screening interview, which I completed in January last week. In early March, I received a call while I was at school, asking if I was still available for the internship. I shared my updated resume, and shortly after, on the 2nd week of March, my future mentor reached out to schedule a team interview. I had that interview after 3 days, which turned out to be an engaging and welcoming conversation with the team. On the very next day, I received the exciting news that I had been selected. It was truly a memorable moment, as I felt both grateful and motivated to begin this new chapter.

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?

Honestly, my internship at TYLin feels less like “just work” and more like joining a family that somehow knows how to throw a lunch party for every little occasion. From boat rides behind the office creek to surprise gifts that matched my hobbies (painting colors, books, even baking utensils!), I’ve realized this team celebrates people just as much as projects. And in between all the fun, I’ve gotten to dive deep into water and wastewater projects that genuinely shape sustainable communities. It’s the perfect mix of heart and hard hats!

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

I think my impact came from the “little big things.” Whether it was writing condition assessment reports, supporting stormwater management projects, or contributing to water treatment designs, I brought my dedication and fresh perspective as a student. But beyond the technical work, I also tried to spread positivity—asking questions, sharing ideas, and reminding my team that enthusiasm can be contagious (in a good way, not the viral way!).

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

Treat your internship like a two-way street: you’re not just there to learn, but also to add value. Ask questions—even the “silly” ones (those usually spark the best discussions). Build relationships with mentors and colleagues, because the people you meet often teach you more than the manuals. And most importantly, bring your whole self—your skills, your curiosity, and even your hobbies—because you never know when your love for painting or baking might lead to an unexpected bond with your team.

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

The best part of my position was being surrounded by mentors and colleagues who celebrated learning, collaboration, and even my hobbies. The Career Center helped me refine my resume to land this opportunity, and the PRAC course equipped me with the professional skills to grow and prepare for the industry.

Public Policy Professor Chul Hyun Park has published a new article in Social Science & Medicine, one of the leading journals in public health research. The article, "A Panel Data Analysis of the Impact of Government Trust on Support for Universal and Air Travel Vaccine Mandates During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” looks at how trust in the executive branch influences support for collective public health measures.

Read the article here.

Greetings, 

• Monday, September 15th 

• Thursday, September 18th 

• Friday, September 19th

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at studentorgs@umbc.edu

We hope to see you there! 

See original post from the Mosaic Center here: 

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic/posts/152466

Celebrating Hispanic and Latine/x Heritage Month at UMBC

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we recognize the contributions and celebrate the vibrant presence of Hispanic and Latine/x Americans in the United States. At UMBC and The Mosaic Center, we honor the heritage, resilience, and cultural richness of these communities, and uplift the stories that have shaped and continue to shape our national identity.

Our Hispanic and Latine/x communities have profoundly and positively influenced our country through their deep-rooted commitments to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enriched our shared culture through centuries-old traditions and the vibrant, multiethnic, multicultural customs they carry, which continue to evolve.

So why does Hispanic Heritage Month begin in the middle of September?
The celebration begins on September 15, which marks the independence anniversaries of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In the days that follow, Mexico (September 16), Chile (September 18), and Belize (September 21) also commemorate their independence. In addition to national independence celebrations, this month also includes days that honor cultural heritage and indigenous roots. October 12 is observed in various parts of Latin America as a day to recognize and reflect on the region’s rich cultural diversity. It is known as the “Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity” in Argentina and the “Day of Decolonization” in Bolivia, reminding us of the importance of honoring Indigenous histories and continuing efforts toward justice and representation. 

Understanding Terms: Hispanic vs. Latino/a/e/x
The term Hispanic generally refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries, including those with heritage from Spain. Latino, Latina, Latine, or Latinx refer to people with cultural and/or ancestral ties to Latin America and the Caribbean, regardless of language, and typically do not include Spain. Some may identify with one term, both, or neither, and it’s important to respect and affirm individual identities across the diaspora.

Curious about the term Latinx? Learn more here or here. 

The Power of Community

This month is not only about celebration, it’s also about connection. At a time when many of our communities, especially our Latine/x & Hispanic community, continue to face threats, erasure, and growing feelings of unsafety, being in community is essential. Celebrating and engaging in community together is a powerful form of resistance, healing, and joy. It is through shared spaces that we find strength, validation, and the opportunity to uplift one another.

We encourage all members of the UMBC community to come together, whether by attending events, sharing stories, or supporting identity-based spaces. If you are looking for community, you are not alone. The Mosaic Center and Student Belonging offer intentional spaces for belonging, cultural heritage events, and opportunities for dialogue and celebration throughout the year.

Join our Campus Organizations as they engage in celebration and community:

Hispanic and Latino Student Union (HLSU) (@umbc_hlsu)

Latinx and Hispanic Graduate Student Association (LHGSA) (@umbc_lhgsa)

Society of Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Latino/Hispanic Faculty Association (LHFA) 

Join Us
Share in this month-long tribute by learning about and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latine/x Americans who have influenced, shaped, and enriched our society. Let's honor their legacies and each other by building spaces of belonging, affirmation, and community.

We are excited to share about events The Mosaic is sponsoring/co-sponsoring during this Heritage Month! 

UNAPOLOGETIC: Street Art as Activism and Liberation

Tuesday, September 23 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn : Gallery

Hear Our Stories: Celebrating Hispanic & Latine/x Heritage Month 

Thursday, September 25 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | The Commons Mainstreet (in front of the Bookstore)

Bachata & Salsa Night 

Friday, September 26 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | The RAC

*This event requires sneakers