Now that spring break is behind us, it’s time to think of the next big thing: graduation.

Graduation comes with a lot of feelings, maybe even anxiety or dread. This could be the result of many things, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. The Career Center is here to support you with your next steps.

Did you know that your network is your net worth? What this means is that having an extensive network could be the key to shiny job prospects. But where do you even start?

Answer: alumni networks.

Here are a couple of suggestions for how you can tap into the alumni resource:

1. Retrievers Connect. This professional networking platform is just for UMBC students and alumni. Once you join, you’ll be able to speak to alumni directly through email and video chat, ask them about their experiences, and gain access to a broad network of professionals.  Alumni volunteers are ready and available to help students just like you.
2. LinkedIn. On the UMBC LinkedIn page, you’ll have access to 79,000+ alumni, right at your fingertips. You can conduct a search on your career field of interest to find professionals in that field that you can reach out to. You can also see where alumni are employed, as well as the skills they have in order to do their work. You could be just one DM away from finding an alumni contact to help you with your career.

The alumni network is a resource worth exploring. Not only do they have shared experiences with you as a UMBC student, but they’ve also “been there” when it comes to the job market and can provide useful insight. Don’t wait, reach out to an alum today.

Looking to network with alumni in real-time? Join the Career Month Industry Fair for Technology & Engineering and learn all about potential career paths in an informal setting on Wednesday, April 3^rd from 11 AM to 2 PM.  

We're almost halfway through the semester. Do you know what you're doing career-wise? 

If you're still trying to figure that out, informational interviews are a helpful way to learn more about your options and gain valuable insights for the job hunt. You'll be the one driving the conversation and asking questions, so it's important to know what you’re seeking and having a solid list of questions ready.

Here are some examples of questions you can ask:

• What led you to your current job role? 
• What's a typical workday for you?
• What skills are important for this role? 
• What advice do you have for finding a job in this field?
• Are there other professionals you would recommend I speak to?

Do your homework on the company and professional you're speaking to as well. You want to make sure that the questions you have planned are relevant to the position AND give you what you need. You also need to make sure you have a good idea of what your strengths and weaknesses are so you could make an informed decision about the career field. 

For the interview itself, keep the conversation open and ask follow-up questions as needed. Make sure that both you and the professional are comfortable, and that you have enough questions to fill the time allotted, typically about 20 minutes max. 

Then, once you complete the informational interview (and send a thank you email!) you'll need to think about the responses and what you’ve learned. Did the interview provide a job option you think you'd like? Do you need to up-level your skills in any way? Are the challenges doable for you? Try to do about three informational interviews for each career field you're exploring. At the end of each one, simply ask, “Is there anyone else you’d recommend I speak to about this?” 

By taking the time to prepare informational interviews, you’ll have what you need to make your next job market moves. And if you want an opportunity to meet working professionals in real-time, sign up for the DCSA Virtual Information Session on March 13th from 5-6 PM. 

The day you've been preparing for has arrived.

The doors open, and you get in line. You have your padfolio and resume in hand. Your outfit is wrinkle free and freshly pressed.

You're ready to go except there's one problem. You have NO IDEA what you want to say.

Does this sound familiar? Here are five tips so you don't find yourself unprepared for a speed networking event ever again.

1. Make a Good First Impression. Confidently approach the employer, give good eye contact (and a firm handshake if you're comfortable with it), and introduce yourself with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. 
   
   
2. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch. This is an important part of your conversation, so make it count! You'll be telling the employer who you are, what you do, and what you are hoping for in the interaction. If you want to know more specifics about what goes into the elevator pitch, you can check out this post here. 
   
   
3. Focus on Relationships. Remember why you are at this speed networking event: to meet employers and build relationships. By keeping the conversation relationship-centered and focusing on a true give-and-take process, you're guaranteed to have a more positive experience by helping each other. 
   
   
4. Ask Good Questions. Because speed networking is fast-paced by nature, you might find yourself talking about yourself too much and missing out on the opportunity to make a meaningful connection. To avoid this from happening, be ready with a few good questions in mind so that it's a two-way conversation. Here are some informational interview questions to help you get started. 
   
   
5. Go in with a Goal in Mind. In order to assess the quality of the conversation, ask yourself what you'd like to accomplish by the end of the event. Are you looking for a full-time career opportunity? A part-time internship? Or informal mentorship? Use the goal you've set to help drive your experience.
   

Keep these tips in your back pocket and you'll walk away from the next speed networking event feeling optimistic and encouraged. Need a place to practice? Check out the CAHSS Career Connection Social happening on Thursday, March 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.