Susan Hindle
Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help students majoring in life sciences make themselves competitive candidates for jobs and internships.
Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?
A: I hold a M.S. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from University of Maryland.
Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?
A: I majored in Elementary Education as an undergraduate. My roommate who was studying to be a teacher and knew I was unhappy with my major, said to me one day, “Have you ever considered being a teacher?” It was the one major I had not considered! My journey back then mirrors that of many others with whom I’ve worked with over the years – finding their way through trial and error. It never occurred to me to seek guidance from a professional!
I later decided to pursue my master’s degree but, unlike my undergraduate degree where I stumbled onto my major, I sought the guidance of a career counselor. That experience was through an interesting twist of fate, I was offered a full-time position at JHU’s Career Center while pursing my counseling degree. Upon the completion of my degree, I transitioned into the role of career counselor.
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: UMD had established relationships with local counties so it was easy to find a placement for my student teaching internship. Upon graduation, UMD held a job consortium for education majors where representatives from various counties came to interview students.
For my master’s, I participated in an internship at a family counseling center in Catonsville, MD. Once again, JHU had established relationships with various counseling centers in the Baltimore region, which made finding a placement easy.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
A: I can’t say there is one best piece of advice I have received. My greatest lessons have come from life experiences. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that, while you may not be able to change your circumstances or what happens to you, you have control over how you respond. I believe how we choose to think about and respond to events shapes our destiny more than any other factor.
Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?
A: I view one’s career as a journey, not a destination -- an ever-changing canvas that one must continually adapt to. The Career Center's mission is to help people navigate their way – much like a compass to a traveler. While you may find your way without our guidance, much like I did early on in my career -- through trial and error -- there is an easier way! And no matter where you are along your career path, the Career Center can provide the guidance you need when you need it.
Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?
A: UMBC is such a dynamic place to work, it’s difficult to choose one thing. But one thing that stands out is that it is a place where ideas are welcome and where collaboration is encouraged – at all levels.
Q: What is one item on your bucket list?
A: After seeing "Riverdance", I fell in love with Irish dancing. I would love to learn how to Irish dance!
Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?
A: Our family enjoys spending time visiting historic sites and museums in Baltimore and DC. We also love hiking Patapsco Valley State Park. The park is in our back yard and we hike there year-round.
Want to connect with Susan 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/
