Kerry Kidwell-Slakl

Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help connect engineering and math majors with internships and careers.

Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: Duke University, Durham, NC

A: I completed my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. I attended a Math/Science magnet program in high school so knew I enjoyed STEM fields and thought engineering was a good fit because I enjoyed solving challenging problems.  I picked Mechanical because I felt that it was very broad and I could in a lot of different directions with it as a professional.  I worked as a consultant in nuclear engineering after graduation and while I enjoyed the challenge of the work, I felt like I wanted to use more of my people skills.  I looked at what I did enjoy in my professional and personal life and found that I was spending a lot of time with college students.  That pointed me toward researching graduate programs in Higher Education Administration and I eventually undertook a two year Master's program at GWU with a focus on applied learning.

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: During my undergrad, I didn't do any "traditional" commercial internships - my summer's were spent as a Teaching Assistant for STEM camps and working on a grant on Educational research for an engineering professor (we were exploring whether this crazy new piece of software called "Blackboard" would be useful and whether professors would actually use LCD projectors with computers in class - both things that we definitely take for granted now!).  Hindsight being 20-20, I probably should have paid attention to those experiences and it may have gotten me to my current career a lot faster.

The full-time job I had after graduation, I obtained using on campus resources through the Career Center.  I had my resume reviewed, attended info sessions and career fairs and eventually obtained an offer through on-campus interviewing.  I like to think that I am proof that the system can work!

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

A: Hanlon's Razor: "Never assume malice when stupidity will suffice."

I don't like the word choices, but I think the essence of the quote is helpful. If we approach life with a spirit of positivity and wanting to educate others about what we know rather than a sense of negativity and paranoia, I think we are all more likely to achieve success.

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: To learn more about Information Sessions - I think these are undervalued as a way for students to meet employers and learn about possible career paths.  Employers are there because they want to meet you and if you are one of the students who takes the time to come it shows your sincere interest and commitment.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: The spirit of innovation and collaboration that permeates campus.  Everyone, students, staff and faculty, demonstrates a willingness to try new things and work together for the common good.  I think that makes us a true gem in higher education!

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: Backpacking the Appalachian Trail.  I did a lot of hiking/camping when I was younger and miss it.

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

A: Being outside - I love how it's easy to get to both the beach and the mountains from here and how many state, local and national parks we have in our backyard.

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

Jo Anne Cottrell

Role at the UMBC Career Center: Office Manager

Q:Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: Towson University

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

A: I studied 3 languages in High School and knew that I wanted to pursue languages in college.  I graduated with a BA in Spanish.

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

A: Think for yourself

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: Students should visit the Career Center to explore the range of possibilities that they can pursue with their education.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: UMBC is a very supportive environment which encourages participation at all levels on campus.

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: I have always wanted to live in a foreign country.  Someplace in Europe would be ideal for the travel opportunities it would present.

Want to connect with Jo Anne 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/

At the Fall Career Fair next week you are going to need a resume. You will probably find a company that will want to give YOU an internship or a job. The first thing they might ask you for is your resume. If you don’t have your resume updated, don’t panic. I have some tips on how you can show your already impressive accomplishments.

Your resume gives you 30 seconds to grab the reviewer’s attention and get into the yes pile.  You might be thinking: “That sounds impossible!”

It’s not impossible. There are actually a few easy steps that you can take that will place your resume in the YES pile. 

STEP 1:  Create a list of all relevant coursework, projects, work/volunteer experiences, and organizations in which you have participated. All of these things add significant value to your resume.

STEP 2:  Identify the important skills, achievements, and interests that you want to highlight on your resume.

STEP 3:  Develop descriptive phrases for your experiences. Qualify and Quantify what you accomplished on a daily basis. Develop statements like these for your course projects also. Start these phrases with strong action verbs.

STEP 4:  Put your resume into an organized format. Keep your formatting clear and consistent throughout the document. Your font can be between 10.5 and 12pt. and margins can be between .5 and 1 inch.

STEP 5:  Upload your resume to UMBCworks for review. Then come to drop-in hours or schedule an appointment with your career adviser.

Here are some additional Do’s and Don’t’s of resume writing:

Do:

Don’t:

The resume is not the only thing employers at the Fall Career Fair will be looking for. Here are some tips for Job Fair Etiquette. 

My last tip to prepare for this Career Fair is to start researching the employers who will be in attendance now. You can find the list at the bottom of the page HERE. Identify what skills you have that these companies need and make sure those skills are highlighted on your resume.

The Career Center has a lot more tips to resume writing. Check out the UMBC Career Guide for resume tips specific to UMBC students! If you are having trouble with starting your resume, have additional questions, or want to get your resume approved the Career Center has drop-in hours from 2 – 4pm Monday – Friday at the Career Center in Math/Psych 212, and 6 – 8pm Tuesday and Wednesday in the Library at the Writing Center.