Wow, thanks to everyone who came out to the Spring Career & Internship Fair on Friday! I was working there all day, so I probably saw most of you! The fair was a huge success, and I definitely saw some people leaving with smiling faces.
You might be saying to yourself, “Wait, did I miss the career fair?” If you did, you definitely need to check your email more because we made sure EVERYONE knew this event was happening! Now, don’t panic. The career fair isn’t the only place to find a job or internship. Believe it or not, the career fair is just ONE of a plethora of networking events that we hold throughout the semester. We have employers here all the time! So definitely check out our Calendar of Events to see everything else we have to offer this spring. Another fun fact: every UMBC student can also visit the career fairs of other universities in the Maryland Career Consortium! This includes Towson, Goucher, Morgan State, and several other Maryland schools! Be sure to check out the MCC’s full calendar of career fairs at www.marylandcareerconsortium.org or check out the flier attached to this post.
While at the career fair, I was able to interview a few students and ask them about their experience. One student, Tony Dang (‘18, chemistry) gives this piece of advice to future job-seekers, “Just do your research on the company, because I’ve had companies ask me what I know about them and I didn’t have an answer”. Another student, Josie Aquino (‘19, mechanical engineering) mentioned how she prepares for the fair, “I used the Career Guide, I have a hard copy and I looked it up on the website, and all the stuff on resumes was really helpful … I felt like I could make something that looks really presentable and professional.” It seems like the moral of the story is to ALWAYS PREPARE! No matter what you’re going out for, knowing your employer and knowing your resume can get you far.
Some of you might have left the fair feeling discouraged. Maybe you were totally overwhelmed, you didn’t get to talk to anyone, or when asked a question you clammed up. That’s okay! Career fairs can be a crazy experience, but what most people don’t realize is that there are tons of other ways to snag a job or internship. Employers are constantly posting positions on UMBCworks, and our website page on Where to Find Internships and Jobs has all the job-hunting websites that are worth your time. If you need more help through your search process, check out our page on the Job and Internship Search, and make an appointment to meet with our Internship & Employment team who want nothing more than to get you hired!
All I want you to get from this is 1) the career fair was not your only shot, and 2) There are people at the Career Center every weekday ready to help you achieve your goals. No need to despair! The entire month of April is Career Month, so keep an eye out for more events and opportunities.
Interested in learning about various chemical engineering career paths? UMBC’s Career Center is hosting a panel on Monday, February 26th from Noon-1pm in Commons 331. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with professionals in this field and gain insight on their career paths and what you can do now to prepare!
Panelists include:
No RSVP required.
]]>Verisk 3E is currently hiring for a Chemical Data Analyst to join their team in Bethesda, MD.
Description of Role:
Purpose of Job:
• To provide administrative support to the staff
• To assist with organizing and production of client marketing material
• To assist with organization and overall maintenance of office administration
Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide complete support to the management and perform clerical tasks. Tasks may include,
Display excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge of office equipment, like printers and fax machines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, in particular)
Strong time management skills
Located approximately 15 minutes from campus:
1344 Ashton Road
Hanover, MD 21076
Name:Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:Summer Research Initiative (SRI) at the University of Maryland, College Park
Position Title:Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Department of Economics
Major(s)/Minor(s):Mathematics and Economics
Work Term:Summer 2017
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I worked on an independent project under the supervision of Dr. Judith Hellerstein and Sai Luo in the Department of Economics at the University of Maryland, College Park's School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. My project focused on labor force non-participation rates among prime-age men (ages 25-44) in the United States. On a daily basis, I used the statistical software, STATA, to clean up the raw data from non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics. I eventually conducted statistical tests on the overall declining trend in labor force participation rate (LFPR) and the racial/ethnic gaps in that exist in LFPR. Other components of the program included attending graduate school preparation workshops and meeting with leaders in the field.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I found out about this position through Dr. Tim Gindling of the Department of Economics and a friend, Brandon Enriquez. Dr. Gindling informed me of Dr. Jessica Goldberg, a development economics professor at the University of Maryland-College Park. She and I spoke over the phone for short time about her research. Eventually, she passed me to her colleague, Dr. Hellerstein, because she didn’t have work for me to do. Brandon also informed me to apply to research positions through the Big 10 Network. Both situations worked together for my good, and I obtained the position right before Spring Break. Before I submitted my application, I reached out to my go-to Career Center advisor, Ms. Susan Hindle. She is a reliable resource and assisted me in countless drafts of my essays and resumes.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Perhaps what I enjoyed most about my position was the research, mentoring, and networking. Before this summer, I had not taken a statistics course in over five years and I was unaware of how to code in STATA. I appreciated learning about the statistical software and was excited to eventually use the software to answer the questions I had about the data. Secondly, I had a fantastic mentor: Dr. Judith Hellerstein. Her and I met on a weekly to bi-weekly basis to discuss my progress on the project and career goals. She and I still talk regularly to this day, and I can say that she has fundamentally changed the course of my career. Lastly, I loved how the SRI program required us to go out of our comfort zone and reach out to leaders in the field. At first it was daunting, many of these folks are in high positions at important organizations. However, I am glad I participated in this aspect of program. I was able to visit the World Bank for the first time and speak with an economist that worked closely with President Obama during the financial crisis.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
The steady decline in LFPR for all prime-age males is concerning since we expect these men to be working and contributing to society in a productive way. Understanding why American prime-age men are leaving the labor force helps us better understand the flaws that exist in our current labor market. For example, the United States does not have many programs that help people find jobs or improve their skills. Sometimes when we hear that the unemployment rate is low, we associate that with job growth or economic stability. However, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) is a much more telling statistic that shows us who is actively looking for work or who is employed. In regards to the racial gap in LFPR, I found that educational attainment contributes to some of the gap between Blacks and Whites. This finding could be used by policymakers to advocate for educational initiatives for black males who have obtained a high school degree or less.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice is to not be afraid to call someone and strike up a conversation. I doubt that I would have been accepted if I had not spoken with Dr. Goldberg. Our conversation was 12 minutes, but it launched into an 8-week internship (of course, I had to be qualified too!). I believe that the power of networking can change your circumstances. I also advise that when you obtain an internship, do the best that you can and do not be afraid to ask questions. How you perform in the internship can open doors for you in the future and take you to the next level professionally.
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]]>So that title is cheesy, but really the spring semester is a great time to take advantage of all the resources the Career Center has to offer you! I KNOW you’re looking for a summer job or internship, because I myself am still on the search. New jobs and internships are being posted on UMBCworks every day, so keep checking to find an opportunity that’s perfect for you.
NEWSFLASH: The Spring Internship and Career fair is THIS FRIDAY! This is THE place to get your name (and your resume) out there to potential employers. Whether you’re looking for a summer job, an internship next fall, or a full-time job for after graduation, this is the best place to start. Over 130 employers are registered to be there, and you can find a full list here. This semester, there are NEW resources available to you before the big day! Here’s the run-down:
1: Spice up your resume! Tomorrow is Resume Rescue+, which is more than it has ever been before! In the past, Resume Rescue was a day where drop-in resume review hours were extended to 10am-4pm the Tuesday before the fair. This is still the case! February 13th is the day you have NO EXCUSES to get your resume in top condition, so come in anytime during those hours. Drop-in hours are still every Monday-Thursday from 2pm-4pm, except on the day of the Career Fair, as all staff will be at the fair. Now here’s where the “+” comes in….
2: Create a Professional Pitch! In addition to resume reviews, Resume Rescue+ will have two additional services, the first of which is developing your 30-second commercial. This tool is completely under-utilized by most students, but it makes for a more confident-sounding job-seeker!
3: Look your best! The last station is all about dressing professionally, which is a confusing concept for a lot of people (myself included). You can get tips and have your questions answered on how to look the part. The link above gives you the basics on professional dress, but it also doesn’t hurt to stand out! You still want to be tasteful, but it’s always important to let your personal style shine through.
And finally, try to relax. Employers can smell fear.
Just kidding, there’s nothing to worry about! Even though this is a huge recruiting event, it’s not your only chance to gain a job/internship this semester. And if you do obtain an internship, congratulations!! You should enroll in the Intern Success Practicum, which helps you go the extra mile in your internship. The entire month of April is Career Month: a whole month dedicated to strengthening your professional skills and connecting you with fantastic employers! Check out our Calendar of Events to see what else is available to you.