Name: Edgar Douanla Nzokwe

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: FINRA

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

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.

Interning at FINRA has allowed/granted me the opportunity to participate in and undertake various different tasks. For example, one of my very first tasks was to update the department's wiki page, which I did using HTML, SQL, Javascript and CSS to display information on the web page. However, I also participated in some more challenging tasks such as rebooting FINRA's servers after an upgrade. Actually, participating in this reboot let me see just how interrelated the departments are and how much coordination is required to ensure all services get restored. One more task, in fact my favorite one, was writing a program that parses a 20000 line data file and stores the information in Microsoft Excel worksheets and workbooks. Currently, I am working on writing scripts to automate part of the deployment process (getting applications to run on the cloud so that users can access it through the FINRA website).

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

First, I got my resume reviewed by the UMBC Career Center. My resume was 2 pages long when I took it to them but they help me reduce it to a single page with very rich content.

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

Career Center, Career Fairs, UMBCworks, Networking Events (Corporate Visibility Days, Info Sessions, Arts with A Purpose,etc.) 

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

I had the chance to work with a wonderful team. Everyone was always happy to answer my questions. I also visited the server room and got to see servers and watch administrators troubleshooting them.

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

I had the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks which required me to learn new languages such as batch programming, SQL, and Jquery.

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

Get your resume reviewed by the Career Center. Go for a mock interview to learn about your strengths and weaknesses Apply for internships Before Career Fairs, check out companies you like and apply for their internship through their website. Visit them during the fair, talk more about the company and tell them you already applied. Do not get discouraged when you get denied an internship. Just keep applying for more.

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

Never be afraid to express your opinion. It is better to say the wrong thing and be corrected than to never know if your opinion was wrong or right.

Below are just a few of the new Internship positions posted to UMBCworks in the past week. Check them out today!

Fall 2014 - Development Internship (9268575)
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning - Baltimore, Maryland
This is an internship that will provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to work in a busy fundraising office and to manage a project from start to finish. The project is a donor stewardship initiative to increase donor profiles on YA’s website. 

Fall 2014 - Media and Special Events Intern (9268571)
Federal Hill Main Street, Inc. - Baltimore, Maryland
Federal Hill Main Street is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving business community that meets the needs of the neighborhood while preserving its unique and historic character.

National Museum of American History Internship (9268668)
The Smithsonian Institution - Washington, D.C., District of Columbia
The National Museum of American History internship program allows a diverse group of people with innumerable interests, strengths, and goals to encounter an educational environment where they can work with and learn from professionals and scholars in related areas of concentration.

Spring Internships at World Relief (9268464)
World Relief - Baltimore, Maryland
World Relief Baltimore is seeking interns who are passionate about serving the most vulnerable, and we think you could be a great fit! Interning with World Relief is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of relief and development work, while adding an internationally recognized organization to your resume.

Summer 2015 White House Intern (9268665)
The White House Internship Program - Washington, District of Columbia
Summer 2015 application is open and the application deadline is January 11, 2015
The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive branch.

Writing Intern (9268143)
CoolCAD Electronics - College Park, Maryland
University of Maryland tech startup expanding the team to initiate new growth initiatives. Looking for interns who are interested in assisting with the growing and running of a startup operation. Intern will be tasked with a high level of responsibility and must act accordingly.

Fall 2014 - Gallery Intern (9268572)
Full Circle Photo - Baltimore, Maryland
Assist in the organization, design, and marketing of exhibitions in the lobby gallery. Attend & help manage receptions. Contact artists and assist curators. Applicants with a background in curatorial practice are encouraged to apply. Must be highly organized and personable, likes listening to problems and then find solutions, can swing a hammer...and more!

Fine Arts Intern (9268620)
Hamilton Arts Collective/Hamilton Gallery - Baltimore, Maryland
An established cooperative fine arts gallery in the Hamilton business district of Baltimore is looking for an intern to join our team and learn the ropes of managing a gallery with monthly changing exhibition schedule. The intern hired for this position should expect to be involved in all aspects of gallery management.

Spring 2015 - Research Intern (paid) (9268614)
The Chesapeake Group - Baltimore- 10 minutes from campus, Maryland
Use computer for analysis and graphic presentation of data and maps, use of standard programs, data input from surveys performed by others, data collection and entry, development of newsletters and other materials as required, updating networking sites (linkedin, etc.), spatial, planning or economic analysis opportunities as well.

Building Efficiency Intern (9268252)
SOL VISTA - Silver Spring, Maryland
SOL VISTA’s on-site services and proprietary technology helps hotel and other commercial building owners reduce their utility bills and environmental impact. Our clientele are located throughout the U.S. and Caribbean, and include well-known brands such as W Hotels, InterContinental, Sofitel, Viceroy, and Westin.

Intern (6807) (9268618)
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield - Owings Mills, Maryland
The intern is an integral member of the Product/Segment Management Team, located in the CareFirst Strategic Marketing Department in Owings Mills.

This position may include the following duties: Analyze market and segment competitors. Market research on segments and products within the CareFirst geographic region.

Spring 2015 - Clinical & Public Health/Policy Internships available (9268637)
The Pro Bono Counseling Project, Inc. - Baltimore, Maryland
The Pro Bono Counseling Project offers two different internship experiences- one that is clinical and designed to give psychology and social work majors experience in conducting intake interviews and assessments of clients presenting needs and documenting some case management.

Spring 2015 - Research Intern (9268615)
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center - Catonsville, Maryland
The Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) is looking for a part time student intern for the spring of 2015 for 6-12 hours per week. Our program monitors antipsychotic prescription in Maryland youth under 18, while supporting research on schizophrenia and substance abuse.

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 and be released to apply to internships. To schedule an appointment, access our online system in UMBCworks or call (410) 455-2216.

Need assistance with a resume, cover letter, or have quick questions? Stop by during our drop-in hours!

Seniors: Employers do their heaviest recruiting from October to May!  Start updating your resume today so you can be the top candidate!

Juniors and sophomores: Update your resume and cover letter with all of your accomplishments for internships, research, and part time positions.

Freshman: Welcome to UMBC! A college resume is quite different from a high school resume! Come drop in at the Career Center for some tips and advice.

Even if you don’t think that you have anything to include on your resume, come in anyway.  We can help you put together a resume based on your life experience and transferable skills.

Hours:

We offer 15-minute drop-in appointments Monday-Friday from 2-4 PM for quick resume critiques, on-the-spot job search advice, and an overview of services.

Please bring a hard copy of your resume or cover letter for review, upload the document to UMBCworks or have it accessible using the Internet so you can print the document in our reception area. Drop-in appointments are taken in our main office, Math/Psych 212, on a first-come, first-served basis with the last drop-in taken at 3:45PM.

We also offer assistance with resumes, cover letters, and quick questions in The Writing Center on the first floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-8 PM.

If you are not available during these hours, you can schedule an appointment: online using UMBCworks, call our office (410-455-2216), or stop by our office (Math/Psyc 212).

The Resume: Your 15-Second Chance to an Interview

If you are applying for internships or jobs, you will need a well crafted resume. Carefully crafted resumes are your key to obtaining invitations to interviews. 

Resumes should be tailored to the positions for which you are applying. Employers use resumes to judge qualifications and skills as they relate to the available position. 

A resume can be considered a brief commercial. The goal of a resume is to convince the reader to invest in what you have to offer.

Parts of a Resume: Contact Information, Education, Course Projects, Work Experience, Special Skills and Training, Professional Memberships, Publications, Presentations, Activities, Military History, Honors/Awards, Travel/Study Abroad Interests

For samples and more information: View Pages 10-23 of the Career Development Guideand http://www.careers.umbc.edu/skills/resume/.  Additional samples can also be found on our Career Paths website                                

Cover Letter

A cover letter is required whenever you are not present to personally introduce your resume, unless the employer specifically states that they do not want cover letters.

Employers want to see how you are able to communicate through the written word and this is your first opportunity to show them your abilities and to make the best first impression possible.

The cover letter provides you with the opportunity to introduce yourself, express your interest in a position, offer extra details, and show your personality.

Parts of a Cover Letter: Why You’re Writing, Why Hire Me, Next Step.

For samples and more information: View pages 25-26  of the Career Development Guide

If you need help with getting ready for your job search, don’t hesitate. Stop by Career Services today. We’d love to see you there.