Welcome back Retrievers! We hope you had a good winter break, but now it’s time to talk about something important — your future.

No matter where you are in your academic career, there is always the looming pressure of starting your career after graduation. Many students make the mistake of waiting too long to start their search, only to realize that opportunities have passed them by. Don’t be one of those students! Here are some steps you can take right now to set yourself up for success and launch your career.

1. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
   Your resume should reflect your most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. It should also align with the top skill-based keywords found in job descriptions of interest. Remember, a well-formatted resume that is optimized for the job is more likely to make it past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and into the hands of a hiring manager or recruiter. Make sure it’s in good shape!
2. Strengthen Your Online Presence
   Believe it or not, recruiters are now checking LinkedIn profiles before looking at resumes and reaching out to candidates. Make sure your LinkedIn is up-to-date with a professional photo, an engaging “About” section, and relevant experiences with skills attached. You can similarly update your Handshake profile and share your profile link publicly with employers. To learn more about how to set this up, check out this article.
3. Research and Apply to Jobs Early
   According to Talentworks, Inc., there is an 8 TIMES ADVANTAGE to applying within the first 96 hours of a job being posted. In fact, the start of the new year is a peak hiring period, so don’t wait until after graduation to start applying. Set aside time each week to browse job search sites, attend career fairs, and tap your network for leads.
4. Practice Your Interview Skills
   Confidence in interviews comes with preparation and practice. Explore the practice question sets in Big Interview, record responses in real time, and send your videos to the Career Center for feedback. Then, schedule a Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center to get comfortable answering common questions and to brainstorm questions to ask the interviewer.

Don't let your job search become a last-minute scramble. Use your time wisely by being proactive and strategic. Whether it’s fine-tuning your resume, networking with industry professionals, or practicing interviews, every step you take now brings you closer to securing a job you love.

To get more personalized support, attend Resume Rescue on February 4 from 10 AM to 4 PM and get feedback on your materials. 

Are you interested in Statistics and looking for ways to grow academically and professionally? Mu Sigma Rho, the Honor Society for Statistics Students, offers opportunities to connect with peers, learn, and celebrate the field of statistics together.

Eligibility Requirements

If you meet the following criteria, we’d be happy to have you apply:

Undergraduate Students:

• Completed at least 2 years of college coursework.
• Completed 8 semester hours (or 12 quarter hours) of statistics courses, including 5 semester hours (or 7 quarter hours) at the junior level.
• Earned a GPA of at least 3.40 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate statistics courses and a minimum GPA of 3.20 in all undergraduate courses.

Graduate Students:

• Completed at least 12 semester hours (or 18 quarter hours) of graduate-level statistics courses.
• Maintained a GPA of at least 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate-level statistics courses.
• Enrolled as a graduate student in good standing.

Why Join Mu Sigma Rho?

Joining Mu Sigma Rho is not just an opportunity to enhance your statistical knowledge and network with peers, but also a nice addition to your CV! Whether you're pursuing further studies or planning your career, membership in an honor society like Mu Sigma Rho reflects your dedication and academic excellence.

Benefits Include:

• A membership certificate and Mu Sigma Rho pin.
• A complimentary 1-year student membership in the American Statistical Association (ASA), a valuable resource for aspiring statisticians
• Opportunities to connect with fellow students and professionals in the field.

Please note: If selected, there is a one-time membership fee of $5, which covers your membership materials and ASA student membership.

Activities We Host:

• Workshops and advising sessions tailored to students’ needs.
• Guest speakers from academia and industry.
• Fun and engaging events like games, competitions, movie nights, and pizza parties.

How to Join

To apply, please submit the following materials to Dr. Thu Nguyen at thu.nguyen@umbc.edu by 11:59 PM on Friday, February 21st, 2025:

1. Completed membership form (available in the “Files” tab on the Mu Sigma Rho group page).
2. A copy of your transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

For more information, visit our chapter group:

         https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/msr

Learn more about Mu Sigma Rho by reviewing our constitution and bylaws here:

      
         http://www.stat.purdue.edu/msr/index.html 

         http://www.stat.purdue.edu/msr/ConstitutionAndByLaws.pdf

We’d love for you to join us in learning, sharing, and celebrating statistics. Consider applying to become part of the Mu Sigma Rho community!

Name: Hira Khan

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Semester of Internship: Summer 2024

Major: Biology

Current Class Level: Junior

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Kennedy Krieger MCH-LEARN Program

Location of the Organization (City, State): Baltimore, Maryland

Title of position: MCH-LEARN Scholar

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
The day-to-day experiences at Kennedy Krieger's MCH-LEARN program involved weekly lectures and presentations from established professionals in the public health field, ranging from organizations such as the NIH to CDC. In a typical day, we had our Research Seminar and Undergraduate Research Accountability Group, where students collaborate with mentors to work on their summer research poster for presentation at the Johns Hopkins University CARES Symposium and abstract writing for ABCRMS. Additionally, collaborative Friday Professional Development and Advocacy seminars covered tips for building a network, maintaining professionalism, job searching, and discovering personal strengths and weaknesses. Fridays also included CDC Optimal Opportunities for Prevention to Promote Health, where students from different programs prepare interactive presentations on public health issues. MCH-LEARN also provided opportunities to attend conferences such as Room to Grow and Maryland Developmental Disabilities Day, as well as a visit to NIH's Career Fair.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I first heard of Kennedy Krieger through personal experience with my family using their services. However, I did not know they offered internship opportunities until I found the UMBC Public Health major's internship page. I began searching for internships during the fall semester and submitted my application a week after it opened.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
I used UMBC's Career Center to tailor my resume for this position. Being proactive and aware of internship deadlines was crucial since they can easily slip by.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
I have truly enjoyed the experience of conducting research and presenting at a high level. This was my first time engaging in such activities, and I grew to enjoy public speaking. I also loved the supportive environment at Kennedy Krieger, where people go above and beyond to guide and help you every step of the way.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
My research poster focused on children facing ADHD and anxiety. While presenting my research at CARES, many students and educators expressed how these issues need more attention in our society. Students with ADHD or anxiety shared how they wished people were more knowledgeable about their experiences. It made me realize my research was addressing an overlooked aspect of people's lives.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Stay proactive and determined. It can be challenging to search for internships during a busy semester with difficult courses and extracurricular activities, but it is worth the effort. Build long-lasting relationships at your internship and think about the experiences you want to explore. For instance, as a Biology major, I wanted to explore the public health field, and this internship gave me valuable insight. Don't feel discouraged if you don't have the "correct" major or experience—try anyway! You never know what opportunities it may lead to.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:
"I liked building connections and feeling the power of community here. I think UMBC's Career Center connects to you personally and provides personalized resources and support to help you find the internship that matches you."