Susan V. Plitt, Associate Director, Employer Relations & Recruitment Programs

The Career Center

Who hasn’t, at some point in time, wished for a crystal ball to see the future?  It is, among many other things, the uncertainty about how our children will make it on their own that keeps many a parent up at night.   When it comes to the careers and professional paths our children will follow, there are likely outcomes, but, with no guarantees, the future is ultimately theirs to make.                                  

For instance, we can look to occupational forecasts, such as data shared by Maryland’s Office of Workforce Information and Performance.  They have created a list occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher that expect the largest number of annual openings through 2017.  A sample of those on the list with at least 500 openings each year includes:  Managers, Teachers, Accountants, Computer Systems Analysts, and Software Engineers.  If your student wants to stay in Maryland following graduation and is majoring in IT, education or a business-related field, they are set.  Except, maybe they’re not.  A degree, even in a “hot” field, does not guarantee a rewarding and successful professional future.  First and foremost, it is important that students pick majors and make career decisions based on their true strengths and genuine areas of interest -- not just on predicted job prospects.  Additionally, it is also crucial, that students prepare well beyond the classroom.  Relevant experience, be it through internships, service, or research, can make the difference between multiple job offers and no job offers.

Another factor that may predict success is access to leading employers.  CollegeGrad.com compiles an annual list of top entry-level employers and at the top of this year’s list (those hiring at least 1000 entry-level employees in 2016) you will find a number of employers that actively recruit UMBC students, including:  Deloitte, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, General Electric, Amazon.com, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Enterprise Holdings, and the United States Air Force.  To embark on their professional careers, students are actually able to connect with these and other employers by using services offered by the UMBC Career Center, never having to leave campus:  Spring Career & Internship Fair (February 17), UMBC Connects corporate visibility days; employer information sessions, on-campus interviews, and their UMBCworks account. In the end, all this proximity requires student action for meaningful results and we ask for your support by encouraging your student to utilize the Career Center’s services.

Luckily, in an uncertain world, the UMBC Career Center (careers.umbc.edu) can help to stack the deck in your student’s favor.  Tomorrow may be unknown, but today – from self-assessment and individual advising, to a calendar full of recruitment events -- students have advocates and resources here to help them make informed decisions and significant connections.  It may not be a crystal ball, but we hope it helps you rest a bit easier!