Political science professor Tom Schaller’s latest column for The Baltimore Sun was published on July 24th. “American should give up its role as lone superpower” dealt with the shifting paradigm in global relations, with nations such as Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia and South Korea becoming major players in the international economy in the coming decades, while simultaneously there has been a decline in the United States’ ability to alter such currents.

Schaller suggested that rather than holding onto the idea of itself as the lone superpower, the U.S. should instead draw down its international dominance and focus more on domestic priorities. He also noted that, while such a decision may be unpopular with some, it could prove more beneficial in terms of life at home, and eventually bring a renewal of esteem for the United States and its ideals in the future.

“Chest-thumping nationalists may scream that American power is vital in a dangerous world,” wrote Schaller, “but the United States will never recede from the global scene entirely, nor shrink from future threats. Besides, a nation weak at home is doomed for weakness abroad. To lead the world anew we must lead ourselves first.”

Alumnus Matthew Panunto ’12, M.S. geography and environmental systems (GES), has won the 2012 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) National Conference Student Poster Competition for his submission “Effects of valley segment sequencing on floodplain hydroperiods.”

According to the abstract, Panunto and co-authors Philippe Vidon, Pierre-André Jacinthe, and GES professor Matthew Baker’s piece used “numerical simulations of… hypothetical hydraulic constraints and empirical characterizations of valley segments and flood hydrographs in central Indiana’s White River valley” in order to understand more about the impact of “valley sequencing” on floodplain hydroperiods, or when a region is waterlogged. Along with a certificate and monetary award from AWRA, Panunto will be featured on the organization’s website, as well as in an upcoming issue of IMPACT magazine.

Panunto recently accepted a position at the USEPA in Athens, GA, where he is working on a term contract with the the Office of Research and Development’s National Exposure Research Laboratory Ecosystems Research Division. Panunto will help develop hydrologic and hydraulic watershed models and program applications for Geographic Information Systems for the EPA.

This article first appeared in UMBC Insights.

Alumnus Matthew Panunto ’12, M.S. geography and environmental systems (GES), has won the 2012 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) National Conference Student Poster Competition for his submission “Effects of valley segment sequencing on floodplain hydroperiods.”

According to the abstract, Panunto and co-authors Philippe Vidon, Pierre-André Jacinthe, and GES professor Matthew Baker’s piece used “numerical simulations of… hypothetical hydraulic constraints and empirical characterizations of valley segments and flood hydrographs in central Indiana’s White River valley” in order to understand more about the impact of “valley sequencing” on floodplain hydroperiods, or when a region is waterlogged. Along with a certificate and monetary award from AWRA, Panunto will be featured on the organization’s website, as well as in an upcoming issue of IMPACT magazine.

Panunto recently accepted a position at the USEPA in Athens, GA, where he is working on a term contract with the the Office of Research and Development’s National Exposure Research Laboratory Ecosystems Research Division. Panunto will help develop hydrologic and hydraulic watershed models and program applications for Geographic Information Systems for the EPA.

This article first appeared in UMBC Insights.

Turn Your Internship Into Your Job

Click for full photo gallery: How To Turn Your Internship Into Your Job

Every summer New Yorkers hear a steady thwack of rubber slapping pavement as flip-flop-wearing interns pour out of subways and into offices across the city. There, the very best ones change into real shoes, put their heads down and land a real full-time job offer three months later.

Internships are a great opportunity to test out a company and determine whether you’d want to work there full-time. The most successful interns view their short-term opportunities as more than just a summer gig. “They treat an internship as a 10- to 12-week job interview,” says Alex Taylor, a senior vice president and human resources manager at Bank of America.

How do you pull that off? First, act the part. Adhere to your company’s dress code and office hours. Model your wardrobe after those of senior-level colleagues. Never wear flip-flops, show cleavage or wear anything that’s ripped or torn. Treat everyone you meet with respect and professionalism, and don’t badmouth co-workers. Leave your personal life at home.

In Pictures: How To Turn Your Internship Into Your Job

Within the first week of starting your internship, make an appointment with your manager to establish goals. Discuss projects you’d like to tackle and specific skills you hope to gain over the summer. Always have a positive attitude about the work, however menial it may seem. “Not every task you’re going to do is something you’ll enjoy, but have the attitude that these are building blocks to your career,” says Tom Musbach, a former producer at Yahoo. “Once you show you can be trusted with small tasks, managers will give you more responsibility.”

Don’t be shy about asking questions, especially if you need clarification on an assignment. Carry a notebook with you at all times. “While it’s important to treat your internship as a job interview, it’s also important to make it a learning experience coupled with self-exploration,” says Holly Stroupe Vestal, a human resources consultant for Bank of America’s Banking Center Channel, who was hired full time after her own internship. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s a great way to show your level of engagement and connect the dots. It also will help you obtain a rounded, realistic preview of a prospective employer and job, so you can make an educated decision about your career options down the road.”

Be assertive. Don’t overextend yourself, but raise your hand when a manager asks for help. Don’t just stick to your department, either; volunteer to work in other areas of the company so you get an overview of as many as possible. Prove that you can meet the responsibilities of holding a full-time job.

To avoid spinning your wheels and wasting time, make sure you’re on the same page as your manager. After you’ve met with him or her to discuss a particular project, take the time to carefully think through the problem before racing ahead on the work. “Then go back to your manager the following morning and check your understanding of the challenge and how to best approach it,” says Chris Bierly, the head of North American associate consultant recruiting at Bain & Co. “It’s important to get out of the blocks fast, but first you want to make sure you’re holding the baton.”

Use your internship as an opportunity to network with senior leaders and your fellow interns. They are all vital contacts who can serve as references, recommend you for a job, and alert you to positions at other companies. Most businesses host intern events throughout the summer to encourage networking. Attend all of them. If the company has a softball team, join it. Talk to your colleagues to find out all you can about the company and what they like and don’t like about working there.

Throughout the summer, keep a record of the new skills you’ve acquired and the assignments you’ve completed. “They’ll be great building blocks for your résumé,” says Musbach. Save any complimentary e-mails or notes, too, to get ideas for potential references.

Before the summer ends, get your colleagues’ contact information and send thank-you notes. Network with them throughout the year by sending casual e-mails asking them about their work. If you performed well over the summer, they’ll think of you when a job opens up. As Chris Bierly observes, “Applying for a job is a mutual courtship.”

In Pictures: How To Turn Your Internship Into Your Job

This story is an update of a piece written by Helen Coster.

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This article is available online at:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/05/21/turn-your-internship-into-your-job/

Over 1100 full-time employees contributed to the 2011 Maryland Charity Campaign, a participation rate of 70 percent, earning UMBC the Maryland Charity Campaign Governor’s Cup Award for Outstanding Performance for the fifth consecutive year.

John Jeffries, Shelly Graham and Terry Aylsworth presented the Cup to President Freeman Hrabowski.

“The national recognition our students and faculty receive is a testament not only to their achievements, but also to how well this campus cultivates the life of the mind.”
-President Freeman A. Hrabowski III

The end of the academic year at UMBC brought a host of prestigious awards, recognizing the excellence of our students and faculty in fields as diverse as visual arts, political science and engineering. Just a few of their achievements:

Eric Dyer, associate professor of visual arts, was awarded a 2012 fellowship for creative arts by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation – one of the most prestigious awards for faculty in the arts and humanities. Professor Dyer is an artist, filmmaker, experimental animator and educator whose award-winning films have screened internationally at numerous festivals.

Two faculty members received 2012-13 Fulbright awards for scholars. Marc Zupan, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will teach and conduct research at the Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto in Portugal. John Sturgeon, professor of Visual Arts, will serve as Distinguished Chair at the London College of Art. The appointment marks his second Fulbright Scholar award.

A record five UMBC students and recent alumni earned 2012-13 Fulbright awards for students. Vivian Ekey ’11, political science and modern languages and linguistics, will conduct research in Brazil; Ryan Max ’11, biochemistry, will teach English in Laos; David Anguish ’12, political science, will do research in Mexico; Achsah Joseph ’12, media and communication studies and interdisciplinary studies, will teach English in Malaysia; and Elena Mawyer ’12, modern languages and linguistics, will teach English in Spain.

Two recent graduates were invited to the 62nd Nobel Laureate Meeting, held this month in Lindau, Germany. Patrice Starck ’12 and Class of 2012 Salutatorian Robert Wardlow, both biochemistry and molecular biology, were among a few hundred young researchers invited to the conference to exchange ideas with Laureates. This is the third year in a row that UMBC students have been invited to the meeting.

Gunther Holtorf's 23-year road trip

Back in 1989, as the Berlin Wall fell, Gunther Holtorf and his wife Christine set out on what was meant to be an 18-month tour of Africa in their Mercedes Benz G Wagen. Now, with more than 800,000km (500,000 miles) on the clock, Gunther is still going.

The German former airline executive has travelled the equivalent of 20 times around the planet in the vehicle - which he calls Otto. He says he has never had a serious breakdown. Recently in Vietnam, Canadian-born photographer David Lemke joined Gunther on one section of his epic journey.