Name:  Aaron Samuels

Internship, Co-op or Research Site:  BITHGROUP TECHNOLOGIES

Major(s)/Minor(s):   Psychology

Expected Graduation Year: June 2014

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

During the fall and part of the summer, I worked under the current Human Resource Manager, Robert H. Greene III, at BITHGROUP TECHNOLOGIES, an IT consulting firm that also provides a wide range of services to the City of Baltimore, MD. The majority of my time was spent shadowing Mr. Greene and observing the various daily activities he undertook, none of which were routine. On several occasions I was tasked with researching new potential employees, reviewing newly submitted resume's, updating employee profiles both on file and online, and organizing certain in office events.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

I enjoyed the "hands-on" experience I obtained throughout my time there. I spent the first half of my summer researching what an H.R. Generalist does but I could never get a full picture until I started working there. I also enjoyed sitting in on personal conversation involving employee disputes and personal issues, it was there that I found exactly what roll psychology played in this occupation. My manager was especially outstanding in these types of situations as well. It was almost as if he could read minds! That's how great he was at reading people. Not only that, but he always seemed to know the right way to approach delicate situations and how to acknowledge the employee's difficulties without compromising his own feelings on the issue.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

I don't think I would have obtained the intrapersonal social skills here at my old job. For example, I have always had trouble remembering names because I was never really motivated too until I came to the company. I've noticed a huge difference in how people react when you use their name versus a general pronoun. I know that sounds arbitrary and just a bit cheesy but it really is something I've come to value.

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

Never assume anything and always double check yourself: If there is something you don’t know or not sure of, FIND IT OUT! If you only feel like an employee remembers an important date or you believe that they may have completed a task, you should still follow up on it personally if it’s possible.

How do you see your experience as meaningful? This might involve skills you’ve gained, information you’ve learned, mentors you’ve connected with, or projects you’ve completed.

I know now what I'm getting into, that was my main goal in doing this internship. I know now the person I have to become in order perform this kind of work. Now it's just a matter of getting certified.

Please provide a short quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

If you get an opportunity, take it! If you have the connections and resources, use them! Do not wait! What I loved most about this entire experience is that I could make mistakes and not be fired. And you will make mistakes. Better to do it as an intern than when you have a career on the line. This is the rationale behind an internship, so you can say on your resume. "Yes! I have experience!" Because as I've experienced with a lot of jobs I've applied for and from working here, most employer's today won't even look at you without this experience.

Self-Assessments

What career is best for you?

Are you struggling with picking or major, undecided, or not sure of what you want to do with your major

If you answered yes to these questions, then check out how the Career Services Center can help.

Dependable Strengths is a two-day workshop to help you assess your strengths and identify what you enjoy, what you do well, and events or experiences you are proud of. It motivates you to succeed. By learning more about yourself, you will discover new opportunities. There will be guided group discussions.

Register now for the summer Dependable Strengths Workshop (Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, 2014)                 http://www.careers.umbc.edu/skills/ds.php

Focus 2 is an Internet based self-assessment tool designed to help you explore career options best for you based on you interests, work values, personality, skills, and educational and leisure time preferences. After you take Focus, please schedule an appointment with a career specialist. The specialist will help you clarify your career path and get you headed in the right direction.

http://www.careers.umbc.edu/skills/selfexp.php#focus

Compass Woofound is our newest self-assessment. This is a visual personality assessment in which you select if a picture is you or not you. This assessment provides information about your personality, how you interact with other personalities, career fields best for you, and what majors and classes would be best for you.  

https://umbc.woofound.com/

The Hatcher Group - Baltimore, Maryland

POSITION TYPE: Internship Opportunities

POSTING DATE: April 21, 2014

Maxim Healthcare Services - Columbia, Maryland

POSITION TYPE: Internship Opportunities

POSTING DATE: April 16, 2014

Maxim Healthcare Services - Columbia, Maryland

POSITION TYPE: Internship Opportunities

POSTING DATE: April 14, 2014

OmniTi Computer Consulting - Fulton, Maryland

POSITION TYPE: Internship Opportunities

POSTING DATE: April 14, 2014

Graduate Student Support Group 

Are you a graduate student? Are you free Friday’s at 2 pm? Join the Graduate Student Support Group! The group focuses on issues related to dissertations/theses, relationships with advisors, balancing school and social life, etc. The best way to sign-up is to contact the Counseling Center and schedule a pre-group interview, stating an interest in the Graduate Student Support Group.  

If there are any questions, please free to contact Alexis M. Melville. 

Contact Information: 

Alexis M. Melville, Psy.D.

Staff Psychologist/Multicultural Coordinator 

Counseling Center

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

1000 Hilltop CircleBaltimore, MD   21250

tel:   410-455-2472   fax:  410-455-2399

melville@umbc.edu