What is your strategy to Connect Four? Taking advantage of the many opportunities at UMBC outside the classroom is an important part of achieving success. It is also important in preparing you to go on to graduate school or enter the job market. Students who take advantage of UMBC’s opportunities build leadership skills, research skills, and professional skills that benefit them long after they graduate from UMBC.
As a transfer student you should be thinking about how you can connect the opportunities you had at your previous college with the awesome opportunities available here at UMBC.
So how do you start connecting? We recommend you start by connecting with the four offices listed below. The staff members in these offices are ready to help you make your UMBC years building blocks for future success.
OCSS coordinates the Transfer Student Network (TSN). TSN hosts events throughout the semester and is a great place to connect with other transfer students. The OCSS staff (Dan, Ben, Lauren, and Emily) are great resources for helping you get involved in leadership roles across campus!
OUE is a great office to connect with if you would like to get involved with Undergraduate Research or are trying to figure out a plan to make the most of your UMBC experience. The OUE staff (Janet and Jarrett) enjoy hearing transfer students’ individual stories and making good suggestions.
The Career Services Center is the place to go if you would like to connect with internship opportunities. They can assist you in putting together or refining your resume to start your internship search. They can also help you find an on-campus job, a summer position, or a permanent job after graduation.
The Shriver Center can connect you with Service Learning experiences throughout the Baltimore area. Volunteering is an important way to give back, but also can be a great achievement to highlight on a resume.
We recognize that there are many different needs vying for your time, but our experience has shown that students who take advantage of the opportunities to connect listed above are successful as they graduate from UMBC. There are so many ways to Connect Four! The most important thing is to get started!
FOUR HELPFUL TIPS
1. Start connecting with UMBC faculty, staff, and fellow students. Create your UMBC network.
2. Think about how you can build on the activities and experiences you participated in at your previous institution.
3. It is never too late to Connect Four! Contact one of the four offices mentioned above.
4. Be open to fellow students who want to connect with YOU to learn about your experiences.
BONUS INFORMATION
Follow the link here to a nostalgic Connect Four video:
EXTRA CREDIT DISCUSSION QUESTION
What experiences will make up your Connect Four?
