Kate Phelps
Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help technical students find internships and full-time opportunities by helping students with their resume and other professional documents. Additionally, I help oversee the 0 credit PRAC course.
Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?
A: Florida State University (FSU)
Tallahassee, FL
M.S. Higher Education Administration-Student Affairs Concentration
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
B.A. Communication Studies
Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?
A: M.S. Higher Education Administration- Student Affairs Concentration
- I worked on campus in the Student Activities Office at UT. I was also involved in many other aspects of campus life. I asked my advisors and mentors how they earned their job, and they helped my find my career path into Student Affairs.
B.A. Communication Studies
- I came to UT as an undecided student. My freshman year, I took a career class
to explore different majors. I discovered quickly that I wanted to be in the
College of Communication. I spoke with a communication advisor and took a few
classes to choose Communication Studies.
Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?
A: In undergrad, I was lucky enough to have 3 paid internships for different non profits. I diversified how I applied to these positions as I used friends, Hire-a-Vol (our version of UMBCworks), and just a generic company website positing.
My student worker job in the student activities office along with my campus
involvement helped me find a GA in the Career Center in grad school.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
A: You only have one chance to make a first impression. Use that time well.
Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?
A: Students should not wait until they are a senior to come to the Career Center and get their resume reviewed and attend our events.
We want them to come early in their career and start working toward their
professional presence to find internships and jobs!
Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?
A: Students are excited to try new things and approach a problem with a new set of eyes.
Q: What is one item on your bucket list?
A: Visit all 50 states. I love to travel!
Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?
A: I live right in the middle of downtown Baltimore. I love finding a new restaurant, exploring a festival, or just taking in the different events Baltimore brings in throughout the year.
Want to connect with Kate or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/
