Name:
Ameen Salih

Pronouns:
he/him

Semester of Internship:
Summer 2024

Major:
Mechanical Engineering

Current Class Level:
Junior

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment

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

Title of position:
Mechanical Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
I am currently an intern at Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment, where I’ve worked for nine months. My day-to-day includes designing truck fixtures and upgrades using SolidWorks. I also assist with business operations—managing Excel sheets, handling customer emails, and communicating with clients. This role has strengthened my technical, communication, and leadership skills.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I applied for the internship during the Spring 2024 semester after finding the opportunity on Handshake. I quickly scheduled an interview, toured the facility, and received an offer shortly after.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
I used Handshake and the UMBC Career Center’s resume and interview prep resources.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I’ve enjoyed most is seeing my designs come to life and knowing they’re making a real impact for customers.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I’ve completed numerous tasks that directly contribute to product development. Seeing the final results of my designs being delivered to customers is very rewarding.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Start early and apply widely—even to roles where you don’t meet every requirement. Use multiple platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and company websites. Tailor your resume, prepare for interviews, and make the most of networking opportunities.

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’ve enjoyed most about my position at Dejana is seeing my designs come to life and knowing they’re making a real impact for customers. The Career Center played a key role in my journey by providing resources like Handshake, which helped me find this opportunity, and offering guidance on resume building and interview preparation.”

Join Us for Our Selfie Contest!

To compete, tag your photos, #umbcURCAD

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Take a selfie at URCAD and upload it to URCAD social media to enter to win a gift card to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories are:

• Best Overall Selfie ($100)
• Best Selfie with Your Mentor ($50)
• Best Selfie with Your Presentation ($50)
• Best Selfie with a Family Member ($50)

Get creative!!

URCAD is this Wednesday, April 16th!

Afternoon Poster Session I | 1 – 2 p.m. | Poster #26

Evaluating POLI 301 As A Gateway Course For Upper-Level Political Science Electives

Nehal Naqvi
Mentors: Ian Anson, Political Science; Carolyn Forestiere, Department of Political Science, UMBC; William Blake, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Laura Antkowiak, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Brian Grodsky, Department of Political Science, UMBC; Mileah Kromer, Department of Political Science, UMBC

This research study examined the role of personal and demographic characteristics towards performance, enrollment frequency, and retake odds in Research Methods in Political Science, alongside the transferability of course skills towards upper level political science electives. Determinants for success in POLI 301 and its utility towards departmental curriculum have remained under focus, with widespread reputation as the most challenging course in the political science major (even after a major redesign in Fall 2019). We employed a quantitative design, analyzing course performance data from Fall 2020 to Spring 2024 and course to course performance comparisons from Fall 2020 to Spring 2022 using bivariate analysis, regression analysis, paired analysis, and ANOVA. Our research found that political science GPA, admission type, and biological sex were significant predictors of performance and enrollment frequency in POLI 301 when controlling for competing covariates. Political science GPA and admission type also significantly explained retake odds for the course. Additionally, we found that performance in STAT 121 significantly predicted POLI 301 performance. Lastly, we did not find added benefit in completing POLI 301 towards performance in political science electives or increased conformity in performance between POLI 301 and upper level electives through greater inclusion of research methods skills.

• Mahmoud Abdel-Halim | The Relationship Between Inflammatory Markers and Mood States in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
  Daniel Roche
  Morning Poster Session I | 10 – 11 a.m. | Poster #1

• Sean Agbor-Enoh | Using Barnes Maze Paradigm to Examine Spatial Learning With Food and Social Rewards
  Tara LeGates
  Morning Poster Session I | 10 – 11 a.m. | Poster #2