Believe it or not, it’s almost time for the Spring 2025 Career & Internship Fair on Friday, February 7, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Retriever Activities Center (RAC). This is the Career Center’s biggest event of the semester and we want to make sure that you feel adequately prepared. That’s why we’ve pulled together these tips that will be essential for your success.

1. Do Your Homework. We strongly suggest that you come to the fair knowing exactly who you want to talk to and where their booth is located. How do you find that information? By checking out the Career Fair Directory, and maybe even marking the location of your top employers on a hard copy or digital copy of the floorplan. Then, plan out your route so that you’re most efficient with your time. Consider visiting in-demand companies first if they have longer lines. Take a look at their current job openings to have a more focused conversation. And be ready to give them your best 30-second commercial.
   
   
2. Prep Your Materials. Once you know where to go at the fair, you need to make sure that your resume is updated and ready. Are all of your most recent and relevant experiences listed on your document, with bullet points that clearly state the impact you’ve made at that particular organization? Does your resume incorporate industry keywords that demonstrate your alignment with job posts of interest? If you need help, come to our drop-in hours at the Center. We’ll help you determine the skills and accomplishments that should be highlighted to help you stand out.
   
   
3. Leverage Handshake. In addition to the Career Fair Directory, you can review a list of employers on Handshake as well. New this semester, we’re adding a QR code to every employer table so you can check-in and your information is captured by the company. This will get you connected to the company more easily and allow you to more properly follow up after the fair (more on that below). You can also upload your most recent resume onto Handshake at the fair (so have your resume on your device) or prior to the fair so the company has that information readily available as well. Be sure that your Handshake profile is complete ahead of time and consider setting your profile to public.
   
   
4. Follow Up Post Fair. According to our latest UMBC Careers Unleashed podcast episode on Stress-Free Networking, you don’t need to worry about having little face time with employers at events like career fairs because it’s all about the follow up. What does this mean? You need to be intentional with how to (re)connect with the professionals you met at the fair. Send them a message or email reminding them of the context of your conversation. Don’t say something like, “you probably don’t remember me” because that’s presumptuous. Just thank them for the time you had at the fair and ask for another brief meeting or phone call to ask a few more questions. If you were unable to get their contact info at the fair, search for them on LinkedIn or Handshake and reach out from there.
   
   

With these essential tips, you’ll hopefully be fully prepared and ready to make connections at the Spring Internship & Career Fair. Best of luck, and we’ll see you at the RAC on February 7.

Dionne Cole is a double major in Biological Sciences and Social Work who will graduate in May 2025.

Title of your project: Evaluating the Impact of Retriever Essentials on UMBC students  

How did you find the research opportunity?

My mentor is Dr. Laura Ting from the School of Social Work. The semester before I applied for the URA, I took a class called Social Work Research with Dr. Ting where I fell in love with the concept of research in a social sciences setting and grew in curiosity about its application. I expressed my interest of doing research to Dr. Ting and she placed the Undergraduate Research Award (URA) on my radar, however I did not have a specific research topic until my involvement with Retriever Essentials. At Retriever Essentials I learned about the prevalence of food insecurity on college campuses. I became invested in examining Retriever Essentials impact on combating food insecurity at UMBC and decided to focus my research on that.

What was the hardest part about your research? 

Prior to beginning research, I didn’t anticipate the variability in timeline for research. I thought I knew how much time it would take to get all the different steps done (such as proper training, getting all my materials together, IRB approval, etc…) but everything took longer than I expected. At first this was very frustrating for me due to my perfectionist tendencies, but thanks to my mentor and a friend in research, I have learned to embrace changes in my timeline and be flexible. In fact, I have found that things not going as planned gives me an opportunity to reassess and revaluate my methodology before I am too entrenched in the process.

What is the most rewarding part of your research, and how do you plan to disseminate it?

 With every qualitative interview I conduct where a student shares with me their personal experience with Retriever Essentials or an idea they have to improve the program, I get excited because I anticipate that their contributions are going to have a profound impact on the provision of Retriever Essentials services and food insecurity at UMBC. Oddly enough, I am eager to get to the end because I want to see the fruit of my labor and everyone’s contributions. The plan is not just to present the findings at URCAD and to Retriever Essentials leaders but also, as a joint project with a friend who is conducting similar research on food insecurity, but also to UMBC administration. Our hope is to create lasting change in eliminating food insecurity at UMBC.  

How does this research experience relate to your work in other classes?

Currently, I am taking a class called Medical Case Studies where I, along with my group members, integrate our knowledge of our respective disciplines to design and present our own novel case studies. Specifically, I am integrating my social work and public health knowledge surrounding the topic of food insecurity. Our case follows a middle-aged man who contracts a food borne illness due to living in a food desert. The end of the case uses the evaluative research I have conducted from Retriever Essentials to suggest sustainable practices and outlines the roles various levels of society can play in addressing food insecurity and eliminating food deserts.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?  

I think a good approach to beginning research is finding a topic that you are interested in or passionate about and then exploring undiscovered aspects, knowledge gaps, or potential research benefits for those connected to the topic. In my opinion, this initial approach is beneficial because it will foster a genuine interest in your research, increasing your commitment to its success. It also gives you an opportunity to not reinvent the wheel and explore new areas of research which could have significant implications.

 Abstract:

Food insecurity is a socioeconomic condition of having limited or uncertain access to enough food. For college students, food insecurity can lead to poorer psychosocial and physical health, lower grade point average, and a higher dropout rate. UMBC’s Retrieval Essentials is a free food access program whose mission is to address college food insecurity by developing a comprehensive program of nutritional food resources for students who are experiencing food insecurity, such as a food pantry and the farmer’s market. Their hope is that by providing various food secure services, the academic retention and career success of UMBC students will improve. The research aims to understand the type and frequency of Retriever Essentials services being used by students and to learn how satisfied students are with the services, what additional needs students have, and any improvement that can be made to current services for these students. In hopes of enhancing the provision and planning of Retriever Essential services.

Name: Bharath Kumar Swargam

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Fall 2024

Major: Data Science

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Co-op

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Institute for Genome Sciences - University of Maryland School of Medicine

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

Title of position: Data Science Intern/Laboratory Assistant

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship at the Institute for Genome Sciences, I have been actively involved in research focused on polygenic risk analysis to better understand genetic predisposition to various traits, including pain and opioid intake. My primary responsibilities include data preprocessing, statistical modeling, and machine learning applications to analyze complex genomic datasets. On a typical day, I clean and structure genetic data, implement Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) analysis using different methods, and present it to researchers to identify meaningful insights.

Additionally, I explore ways to improve prediction models by integrating multiple traits to enhance variance in opioid intake prediction, which contributes to precision medicine efforts. I also collaborate with researchers and bioinformaticians to interpret results and validate findings. This hands-on experience has strengthened my skills in data science, statistical genetics, and machine learning, allowing me to contribute meaningful insights to genomics research.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I discovered this internship during my active search for opportunities that align with my passion for data science and its applications in real-world problems. Fortunately, I came across this exciting role, which immediately caught my interest due to its focus on genomic data analysis and predictive modeling. Eager to contribute, I promptly submitted my application.

After about two to three weeks, I received an interview call from a researcher at the institute, focusing on my background in Data Analysis and Machine Learning. Following a successful interview, I was offered the position, and I was thrilled to join the team to contribute to impactful research in precision medicine and predictive modeling.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.)

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I have enjoyed the most about my internship at the Institute for Genome Sciences is the opportunity to work at the intersection of data science and genomics, tackling complex problems with real-world impact. Analyzing polygenic risk scores and developing predictive models for precision medicine has been both intellectually stimulating and rewarding. I appreciate how my work contributes to understanding genetic predispositions and improving healthcare outcomes.

Additionally, the collaborative research environment at IGS has been incredible. I’ve had the chance to work alongside experts in bioinformatics and genomics, gaining exposure to cutting-edge research. The experience has deepened my understanding of healthcare research and reinforced my passion for leveraging data science to drive meaningful change.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I made an impact through my work, which helped researchers gain valuable insights into identifying genetic predispositions for opioid intake, contributing to the development of preventive and precision medicine. By leveraging different polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis methods, I enhanced the accuracy of risk assessment for post-surgical patients. Additionally, my experimentation with developing workflows for ML models has made it easier for researchers to understand and implement predictive models, streamlining analysis and improving interpretability in genomic research.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice would be to start exploring opportunities early and stay proactive. Leverage campus resources like career services and networking events to gain some exposure and be prepared. Stay focused and make the most of every learning experience.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
What I liked most about my position was the opportunity to learn and apply my skills to real-world healthcare data, directly contributing to precision medicine. The Career Center played a key role in preparing me by offering its valuable resources, which were instrumental in helping me secure this internship.

The Career Center is collecting new and gently used professional clothing for "UMBC Suits You" as part of Career Month.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about dressing professionally and then be able to select one free outfit to use for job interviews, career fairs, networking opportunities and much more.. We are asking staff, faculty, alumni, and affiliates to donate new and gently used professional attire at collection bins around campus from February 17th - February 28th.

Starting February 17th, professional clothing can be dropped off at the following on-campus locations:

• The Shriver Center, Public Policy Bldg., 1st Floor - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)
• Career Center, Math/Psych 201 - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri) 
• Campus Information Center, The Commons, Lobby
• Admin Building, 1st Floor near elevators
• Performing Arts & Humanities Building, 1st floor across from the ticket booth
• OCA Mocha, 5410 East Dr, Arbutus, MD

Do LLMs Show Cybersecurity Misconceptions?

Evaluation of LLMs Performance on Cybersecurity Concept Inventories

Shan Huang, UIUC

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. 

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."