The Career Center works very hard to ensure that job postings in Handshake are legitimate. However, scammers are becoming more and more creative, especially through direct offer emails.

The Career Center is here to support you. If you encounter a position that you fear may be fraudulent, don’t hesitate to reach out to us careers@umbc.edu

Below we provide some helpful information to assist you with spotting scams before engaging with them.

• Look at the email domain of the sender (john@gmail vs. john@avalidcompany) Be CAUTIOUS if the domain does not match the domain of the company. Emails from UMBC will always come from a UMBC email address.

• NEVER provide your credit card, bank account numbers, social security number or other financial documentation.

• BE CAUTIOUS of an employer offering a check before work has commenced and NEVER deposit a check before work has commenced. This is almost always a scam. 

• NEVER engage with an employer that requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire.

• BE CAUTIOUS of an employer whose posting includes many spelling and grammatical errors.

• BE CAUTIOUS of an employer who asks for anything out of the ordinary such as a picture of you or who is not operating by normal hiring procedures, such as hiring you without interviewing you.

• Google the employer’s phone number, fax number and/or email address. If it does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag. Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/us/consumers/), Hoovers (http://www.hoovers.com/) and AT&T’s Anywho (http://www.anywho.com/) can be used to verify organizations.

Scammers often use phishing emails. Some key things to note are:

• The FROM address on an email can easily be spoofed/faked. Just because an email you receive looks like it came from an “@umbc.edu” address or someone you know, does not always mean it actually came from that person.

• Some people may ask,“How does a scammer get my UMBC email address in the first place?”Your email address is not private information. If someone knows your name, they can look up your UMBC email address in the campus directory, or if you have your email address attached to social media or other online accounts and those get hacked, or if someone you know has had their email hacked, etc.  There are many different ways your email address can end up in the hands of a scammer. 

• Never click on the links in a phishing message.  Just by clicking on the link, you may download a malicious program onto your computer.

• For more information from DoIT on phishing, click HERE.

• Please see the information and recommendations from DoIT at UMBC about online safety and best practices HERE.

If you feel that you have already been scammed, there are important steps you should take.

• If you have already given your personal information, you should follow DoIT's recommendations.  You may want to alert the campus police about your particular concerns.

• ***In order to assist the DoIT Security Team's investigation, recipients of the email should send security@umbc.edu a notification including the full header set of the message. These headers are not normally displayed but can be easily accessed. For more instruction on how to send the full header set of the message, please refer to: https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1867970 

• If you have already fallen victim to this scam and transferred funds to someone, please file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. They can be reached at the following web address: Internet Crime Complaint Center

• If you have not wired money to the criminals, please stop communicating with them. You should still report the situation to the campus police and follow DoIT’s instructions.  There is no need to report it to the FBI. 

*You will continue to receive scam emails periodically from all types of sources.  Please refer to Page 65 of the Career Guide - "Is this Posting for Real?". HERE is a link to that page. For a more in depth look at how to evaluate employer emails and identify fraudulent offer, please see the Career Center page on Fraudulent Jobs & Email Scams HERE.

Handshake also provides information on How to Spot and Report Scams.

Disclaimer

UMBC is not responsible for employers’ representations or guarantees with regard to job postings, nor is it responsible for wages, working conditions, safety, or other work-related issues that may arise after placement with an employer. UMBC is not responsible for fraudulent job postings, however if a job listed on UMBCworks is found to be fraudulent, please report it immediately to careers@umbc.edu or call 410-455-2216 so that it can be removed from UMBCworks and any other applicants can be notified.

Name:

Tess Clayville

Pronouns:

She/Her

Semester of Internship:

Summer 2024

Major:

Psychology

Current Class Level:

Senior

This semester I completed a(n):

Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):

Kennedy Krieger Institute - Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit

Location of the Organization (City, State):

Baltimore, Maryland

Title of Position:

Behavioral Data Specialist

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my time in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit, I collaborated with a multidisciplinary clinical team to oversee the care of four pediatric patients, managing their progress from admission to discharge over the eight-week program. My main role included recording data during meal sessions, tracking up to 15+ variables at once using BData Pro software. I then entered and analyzed data into Excel sheets and graphs, collaborating with supervisors to refine individualized treatment plans based on patient progress. I also had supervised meetings with psychologists two to three times per week to apply creative problem-solving strategies to address feeding challenges, enhancing patient engagement and outcomes for up to three children daily during therapeutic meal sessions.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
After struggling to find a summer internship, I reached out to my advisor for extra help. She recommended a small list of internships to her students. After reading through the list, I directly contacted the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute with my resume, cover letter, and additional information about myself. I heard back within the same week about scheduling an interview!

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Faculty Connections

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my position at the Kennedy Krieger Institute was the opportunity to work directly with children and adolescents facing unique challenges. Being part of their treatment process and witnessing their progress was incredibly fulfilling. I also appreciated the collaborative environment, where I gained different perspectives on patient care and received invaluable mentorship from the professionals in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I made an impact in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Unit by contributing to the care and treatment of children and adolescents with feeding disorders. My role in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data during meal sessions supported the creation of individualized treatment plans, which were crucial to each patient’s progress. Additionally, my efforts in reinforcing behavioral strategies during treatment sessions helped patients overcome their challenges and achieve important milestones in therapy.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice to another student would be to step outside of your comfort zone. You may discover a new area of interest or develop new skills. Sometimes the most rewarding experiences come from positions that challenge your expectations. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to UMBC faculty for guidance! Advisors, professors, and the Career Center are all great resources for finding opportunities and preparing for the application process.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
What I liked most about my position was the hands-on experience of working directly with patients and being part of a collaborative team focused on meaningful work. The Career Center helped me develop my resume and prepare for interviews, guiding me toward opportunities that aligned with my career goals.

Name: Shubham Manoj Gengaje

Pronouns:He/him

Semester of Internship:Summer 2024

Major:Data science

Current Class Level:Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship 

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Amtrak

Location of the Organization (City, State):Washington D.C

Title of position: Demand Forecasting Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my internship at Amtrak, weekly I had different tasks from data validation , data processing and preparing reports for the purpose of forecasting demand based on passengers or commuters load factor in different types of train. For these purposes, various factors were being considered such as demographics of a location, employment rate etc.During my internship at Amtrak, weekly I had different tasks from data validation , data processing and preparing reports for the purpose of forecasting of demand based on passengers or commuters load factor in different types of train. For these purposes, various factors were being considered such as demographics of a location, employment rate etc.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I applied to this position via glassdoor. I applied around mid April and received a call from the hiring manager around mid May.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Handshake, Indeed

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

I've enjoyed the hands-on experience of analyzing production processes and implementing improvements that have a tangible impact on efficiency. The collaborative environment and supportive team have made it a rewarding experience, allowing me to learn and grow in a real-world setting.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

My work on reducing process downtime and developing Standard Operating Procedures has significantly enhanced production efficiency and consistency. Additionally, implementing an inventory tracking system helped generate revenue and reduce waste, making a lasting impact on the organization's operations.

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

Start early, tailor your application to each role, and be persistent in your search. Make sure to highlight relevant skills and experiences, and prepare thoroughly for interviews to showcase your value to potential employers.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

What I liked most about my position was the opportunity to see the direct impact of my work on production efficiency. The Career Center was instrumental in guiding me through the application process and preparing me for interviews, making my internship journey a success.