Starting your career journey can feel like an overwhelming task, especially if you have yet to land relevant experience for your resume. However, with the right approach and mindset, landing your first career experience is not only possible, but also achievable.

Here are some essential tips to get your foot in the door with employers:

Tailor Your Resume. Optimize your resume as much as possible by aligning relevant experiences and skills with your job descriptions of interest. Use ChatGPT to determine the top skill-based keywords in the job description and see which ones can be incorporated into your resume. Not able to hit all the qualifications? No worries! Research has shown that just matching 50% of the keywords is good enough to be invited to an interview (1).

Develop Your Network. The power of networking when it comes to the job market cannot be understated, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics citing that 70% of jobs are found through networking (2). The Career Center offers a variety of different events with networking opportunities, including career fairs, industry panels, and UMBC Connects events, such as our campus visit with Career Center Employer Partner Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab on Wednesday, November 20th. There are also several online options to help build your network, including Retrievers Connect and the UMBC Alumni tab on LinkedIn.

Build Your Online Presence. According to Harvard Business Review, 40% of recruiters say that they have hired a candidate based on their LinkedIn profile alone (3). Therefore, it’s important to start building a LinkedIn profile that’s worth reviewing. Add a professional headshot and relevant cover photo, craft a strong About section, and include media and skills to your experiences. Need help with your profile? Schedule a LinkedIn appointment with the Career Center.

Get Interview Ready. Review common interview questions and make sure you’re comfortable answering them. For behavioral questions, prepare stories showcasing your skills using the STAR Approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Use Big Interview to practice answering questions in real-time, and share your videos with the Career Center for feedback. You can also schedule an Interview Prep or Practice Interview appointment to meet with someone in person.

Consider Volunteer Work. Search for local organizations that champion causes you’re passionate about and reach out to them to see if you can work for them. If you’re able to do tasks related to your major or industry of interest, that’s even better. Or you might consider exploring the many programs and initiatives of The Shriver Center or work closely with a faculty member in their research lab on campus. Either way, you’ll gain valuable and meaningful work experience. For more information about volunteer work and the job market, check out this blog post.

In conclusion, your efforts will pay off if you approach your job search strategically and stay persistent with the process. Everything mentioned here may take time, but with consistent effort, your first career will soon be within reach.

(1) https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/study-you-only-need-to-be-50-qualified-to-land-a-job-interview

(2) https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/article/how-to-land-a-job-by-networking 

(3) https://hbr.org/2019/05/your-approach-to-hiring-is-all-wrong

• Stipend: $12,000 for undergraduates, $14,000 for graduate students
• Duration: 10 weeks (June 2 – August 8, 2025)
• Location:  Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and UMD facilities (on-site, no remote option)
• Eligibility:
• U.S. citizens
• Full-time university students (all levels)
• Minimum preferred GPA: 3.0

1. Resume (1 page)
2. Cover Letter (1–2 pages): Include your education, experience, interests, GPA, internship goals, and up to 3 project preferences.
3. Apply here: http://go.umd.edu/nsssipsu25

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