Despite what you might read in the news or on social media, diversity is more than just a buzzword when it comes to the workplace. It can actually help companies build innovation, profitability, and employee satisfaction. Here are a few ways that diversity in the workplace can create positive, lasting impact.

Builds Creativity. When organizations bring together employees from different cultural and experiential backgrounds, generating creative solutions can come more easily. Employees are more likely to question the status quo and think outside of the box to tackle complex problems. They take more novel approaches to the work that they do, causing the company to overall be more adaptable.

Fosters Innovation. Diverse teams bring broader perspectives and foster innovation. By challenging conventional thinking, companies can now make decisions that positively impact the bottom line. According to a McKinsey report (1), companies in the top quartile for gender and racial diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Additionally, a BCG study (2) highlighted that organizations with more diverse management teams have a 19% higher revenue from innovation compared to companies with below-average diversity.

Causes Work Satisfaction. Other than financial benefits, diversity promotes a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture, which increases employee engagement and retention. People feel valued when their unique perspectives are welcomed, a consideration that recent grads do not take lightly, nor should they. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), equity and inclusion is a career readiness competency that employers should seek to promote open-mindedness, flexibility, and adaptability in the workplace in order to recruit top talent (3).  

Represents Customer Base. Lastly, having a more diverse workforce better reflects the global customer base companies serve. As businesses operate in increasingly international markets, the ability to meet diverse consumer needs becomes crucial to ensure success. Additionally, companies that embrace diversity and reflect a diverse workforce are seen as more relatable and inclusive by global customers, opening the door for lucrative relationship building opportunities and partnerships.

Increasing workplace diversity isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic imperative for companies hoping to hire and retain the best employees. What that said, students should strongly consider a diverse organization for their next internship or job to experience the benefits firsthand.

If you want to get a head start, join us for our Diversity Recruitment Event on Thursday, October 17^th from 5-8 PM at the University Center Ballroom. This is open to ALL students. Enjoy a free dinner, network with top organizations, and hear from UMBC alum Bobby Allen ’99 about his work at Google.

(1)   https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/diversity%20and%20inclusion/diversity%20wins%20how%20inclusion%20matters/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters-vf.pdf

(2)  https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation

(3)  https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined

Date: October 30th 

Time: 10:00 - 11:00

Where: ITE 238

Dr Ferraro, Associate Professor of Computer Science and PhD graduate from Johns Hopkins University, will be discussing strategies, considerations, and tips for preparing for computing, technology, and engineering graduate programs. 

Faculty members from other departments will be on hand to answer questions. We will also highlight the graduate programs available right here at UMBC!

This presentation will be especially helpful for juniors and seniors, but all students are welcome to attend. 

Refreshments will be served!

Name:
Amey Ashtekar

Pronouns:
He/Him

Semester of Internship:
Summer 2024

Major:
Cybersecurity

Current Class Level:
Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...
Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Walmart Global Tech

Location of the Organization (City, State):
Bentonville, Arkansas

Title of position:
Cybersecurity Intern - Threat and Detection Engineering

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
In the summer of 2024, I interned at Walmart Global Tech in the Infosec Department, working closely with the Threat Hunting and Detection Engineering team in the Security Operations Center (SOC). My role centered on developing detection rules and logic, as well as automating processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security analysts in responding to cyber threats. I contributed to the creation and optimization of detection mechanisms, controls, and playbooks, which improved incident response workflows. Additionally, I integrated automated alert functions that helped streamline resolution processes. Collaborating with my team, I supported critical incident management and detection strategies, strengthening Walmart's overall security posture.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I began applying on LinkedIn during the summer of 2023, interviewed around August, and secured my offer by October 2023.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I’ve enjoyed most about my time at Walmart Global Tech is the sheer scale and complexity of working at the world’s largest company. The InfoSec team operates with cutting-edge technology and advanced security mechanisms, providing a challenging and rewarding environment. Above all, it’s the people—my mentor, teammates, and leadership—that have made the experience truly exceptional. They are not only technically sharp but also incredibly supportive and inspiring, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented atmosphere.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe my work has made an impact by enhancing Walmart's threat detection and response capabilities. By developing detection rules, streamlining incident response processes, and implementing automation, I helped improve overall efficiency and security posture. Additionally, collaborating with my team on critical incidents and refining security controls has contributed to stronger defense mechanisms, ensuring better protection of sensitive data and continuity of operations. Through these efforts, I’ve been able to support the organization in mitigating risks and responding to evolving cyber threats more effectively.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice to students seeking an internship or similar experience would be to start early and apply as soon as a job is posted. Networking is key—connect with professionals in your field and seek guidance. Focus on quality over quantity in your applications by tailoring each one to the specific role. Be persistent in your search and don't be discouraged by rejections—use them as opportunities to improve. Always read the job description carefully, highlight relevant skills and experiences, and prepare thoroughly for interviews to effectively showcase your value. Lastly, stay confident throughout the process!

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 valued most about my position was seeing the direct impact of my work on reducing the mean time to resolve security events. The Career Center was instrumental in my internship journey, organizing networking events and job fairs, guiding me through the application process, and preparing me for interviews, which boosted my confidence and contributed to my success.

Deciding whether to attend graduate school can be a significant, life-altering step that requires a lot of research and thoughtful consideration. Grad school offers an opportunity to deepen expertise in an area of interest, conduct specialized research, enter the world of academia, or gain professional qualifications, but it’s not always a necessary step based on your career goals.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you weigh your options:

Ask if you need it. Figure out if a graduate degree is absolutely necessary for your desired career. Keep in mind the time, money, and energetic commitment it would take to complete your degree, and consider the return on your investment (ROI). Would going to grad school increase your job options? Speed up the promotion timeline? Increase your starting salary? These considerations can be industry dependent. Do your research and decide if grad school provides these benefits and more.

Consider your motivations. Are you passionate about a particular subject or career path that requires advanced education? For example, fields like law, medicine, and academia often require a graduate or professional degree. But even if the degree is not required for your desired career, you may still benefit from the added skills, networking opportunities, and specialized knowledge that a graduate program could offer. Think through the “why” behind your interest in graduate school and determine if it makes sense to go through the process based on what you’ve gathered.

Evaluate the commitment. Graduate school often involves years of rigorous study and research — it’s not an easy process, even for the most prepared and enthusiastic. You’ll also need to assess the financial and personal implications, such as tuition costs, possible time away from the workforce, and potential debt. A gap year or work experience might help you decide whether you're ready to make this commitment before you fully dive in, though it can be harder to return to school after being away for a while. Figure out the timing and decide whether you’re ready to make the commitment, both financially and energetically.

Do your research. Review the types of graduate degrees relevant to your field, whether it’s a master’s, Ph.D., or professional degree. Each option has different expectations and outcomes, so aligning your goals with the right program is key. Think about where you hope to land when it comes to your career and determine the type of program that will best help you get there. Then, explore the requirements for the programs you’re interested in and see whether you can meet those requirements by the application deadline. The timeline that we provide on our website can be a helpful tool to figure out your specific timing. Please note, however, that if you’re planning on applying to medical school in particular the timeline could vary.

Ultimately, grad school can be a highly rewarding experience, but it should align with both your career ambitions and personal readiness for it to be worthwhile. Hopefully these tips will help with your decision making, but if you need more information join us at our Grad School 101 Event at the Skylight Room in the Commons from 4:45-7:00 PM. 

We’ll be breaking down conference applications and making fun phone bracelet charms. Join us for a great mix of networking, learning, and creativity—don’t miss out!

Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: ITE 239

See you there!