How to Write a Personal Statement for Summer Research

The Purpose of a Personal Statement 

First Steps

The Basics

Experience in the Field

Your Proposed Contributions to the Program

When you have finished drafting your statement, ask yourself:

Some common mistakes to avoid:

Name: Stephen Moore

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: GE Oil & Gas

Major(s)/Minor(s): Computer Engineering, Mathematics

Expected Graduation Year: May 2015

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

As an ITLP intern, I was tasked with managing my own goals for the summer. Examples include developing a new project methodology to use as a standard, contributing to staff meetings and developing new websites, applications and tools for the office.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

My interview with General Electric was set up through UMBCworks. That single, in-depth interview was followed up immediately with an official offer.

Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBCworks

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

Working at GE has been a very diverse experience. I was entrusted with tasks that made a significant impact on the office I was involved with. Being able to gain real experience in project management and product development was a fantastic part of my internship.

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

The trust GE places in us interns was astounding. I was treated as a fellow manager instead of "The Intern." This unique atmosphere was something I have not experienced anywhere else. As such, it allowed me to gain experience working in a high-risk position with actual responsibilities - something that most internships do not offer.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

If you are interested in joining the ITLP program, enter it with an open and inquisitive mind. There are no set tasks for you to perform, no standard job responsibilities to fulfill; this is a position wherein you define what you want to take away from GE.

Please provide a short quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

I received an email about an interview that I "may find interesting," and decided to follow up. That surprise interview turned into my most rewarding summer yet and changed my entire job outlook for when I graduate. So yeah, that was pretty cool.

Dustin Eby

Role at the UMBC Career Center: Graphic Design, Web Development, Photography, Data Management, Technology

 Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: I got my B.S. in Digital Media from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: Growing up I was always drawing, creating, and interested in figuring out how things worked. I took art class every year and two television production classes in high school.
I started my college career wanting to do 3D animation and special effects, but became much more interested in the graphic design and programming aspects of web design and user interface development.

Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?

A: Drexel is a co-op school, so everyone had to do co-op to graduate. If your major was a 4-year program (like mine), your sophomore year consisted of 6-months classes and 6-months on co-op work experience, then junior year was a full year of class. I also took an internship position the summer between my freshman and sophomore year, which I found through a friend of my father's. (Networking is key.)

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: "Never stop learning."

Since graduating from undergrad, I have kept my skills current by taking classes through UMBC, UMUC, and Teamtreehouse.com and attended D2WC (Designer, Developer and Workflow Conference) and edUi Conference.

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: I visited my Career Center in college only when I had to in order to get credit for my Co-op, but not when I was graduating and looking for a full-time job. That was a mistake. Looking back and knowing what I know now after having worked in the Career Center at UMBC for years, is that I should have started earlier to look for a post graduation job, and sought advice from the Career Center. I should have learned the art of networking, and learned to research companies coming to the Career Fair before attending.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: Coming from a university in a large city, I got the sense that everyone fended for themselves. When I started at UMBC, I was pleasantly surprised by how supportive the students were to each other - from holding doors open for someone, to making sure each other have safe transportation to and from social events, to random students offering to help me when I am outside replacing marketing posters in our poster holders.

And just about everyone I have met that works at UMBC has a real drive and commitment to student success, and the betterment of the University.

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: Visit Hawaii.

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: The various festivals that happen every year: Artscape, Fells Point Fun Festival, Maryland Renaissance Festival (www.rennfest.com), 34th St. Lights, etc.

Want to connect with Dustin or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/

During the last week, multiple full-time and part-time positions have been posted to UMBCworks. Check out these key positions today!

Logistics Sales Representative (9268806)
Cowan Systems, LLC - Baltimore, Maryland

Logistics Sales Managers develop and maintain client relationships by developing effective ways to transport customers’ freight utilizing Cowan Logistics’ services. This role serves in a sales capacity and communicates with both customer and carrier contacts. Responsible for building and maintaining customer relationships and more!

Proposal Writer (9268396)
Aerotek - Hanover, Maryland

The proposal writer will be responsible for preparing high-quality, client-focused proposals and presentations. The proposal writer will work closely with Directors of Strategic Sales, Strategic Account Executives and local sales teams to provide proposal consultation, assist in RFPs and more!

Public Relations Coordinator (9252830)
Carahsoft Technology Corp - Reston, Virginia

Attention all recent Public Relations graduates! Carahsoft is looking for talented individuals to join our team as a Public Relations Coordinator. This entry level opportunity will enable you to familiarize yourself and become an expert in B2G events and campaigns.

Bilingual Case Manager (9269477)
Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) - Washington, District of Columbia

LAYC’s Workforce Investment department provides services to out-of-school youth ages 16-24 through its Workforce Investment for Successful Employment (WISE) program. WISE equips youth with the skills and credentials needed to obtain and retain meaningful employment and/or enter postsecondary education by offering job readiness (JRT) and more!

Chimes Multiple Positions (Updated October 27, 2014) (9269535)
Chimes Multiple Positions (Updated October 23, 2014) (9269451)
Chimes - nationwide, United States

Welcome to Chimes! Our company provides services and supports for people with disabilities. We have earned an excellent reputation in our field, and the people we support have come to expect and appreciate professionalism, courtesy and pride in a job well done

WEEKLY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Visit us at www.chimes.org for more information

Clinical Supervisor - Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (9269494)
Trellis Services, Inc. - Hunt Valley, Maryland
Sparks, Maryland
Towson, Maryland

The job of the Clinical Supervisor is to provide behavioral intervention programs in home, community, and school settings for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Graphic Artist (must be US citizen)(9266213)
Lufburrow & Company Inc. - Havre de Grace, Maryland

You’re a visual-thinking problem solver.
You create to communicate.
You have a good eye for form and color.

We NEED impact players. Forward thinking, smart people needed to tackle the complex challenges facing social workers and how they use technology. We need out of the box thinkers and more!

Graphics Designer (9269542)
Whitney, Bradley and Brown - Washington DC Area, District of Columbia

The successful candidate will support our work with the Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Department; the Headquarters Marine Corps department charged planning, directing, and more!

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To access these positions, login to your UMBCworks account (via the link in the Jobs & Internships topic in myUMBC) and find details and application instructions as well as hundreds of other job postings!  

Please note you MUST have an approved resume to apply to positions. To schedule an appoint access our online system in UMBCworks or call 410-455-2216. 

Jeremiah Sawyer

Role at the UMBC Career Center: Coordinator of Internships & Employment

 Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: UMBC 

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: I did PSYC w/ a PSYC of the workplace certificate.

I chose my major based on my natural skills, abilities and interests. Though… I did originally start our wanting to study Ancient History.

Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?

A: It’s amusing to be on the internship team as a staff member since I did do an internship with them (Kerry & Christine) while a student. I searched around UMBCworks and applied to a few things, but got my own internship by applying directly to Discovery Communications. It was hard for me to find things that matched my interests (Human Resources), but it has improved since then.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: “Desire is when you do what you want, will is when you can do what you do not want.”

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: You should come to the Career Center to get started with what you are doing. Not everyone is looking for their career or internship right now, and that is okay. Many times we can help you start looking for part-time/on-campus positions, or connect you to an employer that comes on campus, and/or etc. If you just want to come by to ask us questions, we would be happy to answer them.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: I like the diversity of the students and the way the University supports most of their efforts and energies in to making UMBC even better than it is. Also, URCAD is a really awesome day for everyone; if you haven't been, you should go.

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: I'd like to go backpacking in Peru one day....

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: The Mall. I've been there a million times, but I always find something new or fun to do.

Want to connect with Jeremiah or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/

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