Name:  Atul Sharma

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site:  Aion Management LLC

Position Title:  Data Analyst

Major or Program: Information Systems

Current Class Level:  Master's Student

Work Term:   Spring 2023

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

 I assist my senior manager in building customized report dashboards on PowerBI and perform other tasks assigned by him.

Attend calls or meetings and coordinate with other senior managers in building reports.

Gather information for reporting by combining data from various databases into a single destination table, running longer-running data processing queries across several databases, and using BI tools and dashboards to translate numerous and complex streams of information into clear, concise, and simple terms.

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

I heard about this position on May 22 and applied. After my resume was picked, I gave the online assessment, which was followed by 2 rounds of interviews. I was hired on 06/08/2022

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

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, UMBCworks, Networking Events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts with A Purpose, etc.), LinkedIn or Other Social Media

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

This position is constantly changing. I've been learning a lot of new skills that are not only job-related but also necessary to become a more desirable team member.

Since my arrival, the company has undergone a significant transformation in terms of the technology and platform it uses for operations, and I have been fortunate to be a part of it. I've learned a lot about data integration, cloud computing, and data warehouses, which are really crucial skills to learn in this day and age. Moreover, all of my senior managers and co-workers have been extremely helpful and accommodating, which is one of the best aspects of this company.

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

This Co-op has, in my opinion, given me a sense of belonging to my work. I enjoy the challenges that are thrown at me, and I have always performed above expectations. This has given me a lot of confidence in my abilities and earned me the trust of my seniors. I am now an essential member of my team. 

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

Just believe in your skills and do not get disheartened by rejections. 

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

I believe the career center has done an excellent job for us students. The team has always been extremely accommodating and helpful. I suppose this internship has given me a better understanding of the work culture in the United States. I have gained a variety of skills that I do not believe I would have obtained without this internship. In my office, I've formed some wonderful personal and professional relationships, and I'm proud of what I've accomplished thus far. 

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Name:  Vidit Hitesh Gandhi

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: John Staurulakis, LLC 

Position Title: Data Analyst Intern 

Major or Program: Information System

Current Class Level: Master's Student 

Work Term: Fall 2022  

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

Generate weekly reports and create dashboards highlighting the KPI for the VPs and other leaders to review. Create tools to help the team track their billable hours and learn NetSuite and assist the team in implementing NetSuite. Documentation of the new inhouse tool being created to track the regulatory requirements. 

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

Got to know about it from a friend and applied with my resume directly to the hiring manager.

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

Personal Connection.

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

I got to work with people from different backgrounds who were passionate about data and working in this field. My team was very cooperative and encouraged when during my initial days and made me feel welcomed. I also got an opportunity to interact and learn from the leaders of the organization by attending various high level meetings. I got to learn a lot and gain valuable industry experience.

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

I helped the team in data management and data visualization. The kind of work I did and assisted my team helped the higher management make better informed decisions to help the clients and in turn increase the revenue. 

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

KEEP APPLYING! This is even more important for international students. Do not get demotivated after seeing a couple of rejections or ghosting. Keep working on your resume, talk to seniors and get it reviewed by them and UMBC career center.

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

“Work hard and be kind and amazing things will happen.” -Conan O’Brien 

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#UMBCintern 

Here is a scenario: You are in the midst of applying for a job, submitted your resume and then the "Add a  Cover letter" option comes up. Oh no! And now you have to write a cover letter....ugh!

Cover letter writing can seem like such a daunting task; however, it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for writing a great cover letter from one of your Career Peers, Natalia Alfaro, who proofreads a lot of cover letters while working at the Career Center. 

While you are writing, here are 10 tips to keep in mind when writing a cover letter: 

1. Cover Letters Should Expand On Experience, Not Repeat The Resume
1. All experiences you write about in your cover letter should be listed on your resume. But be mindful not to summarize your resume in your cover letter. 
2. Keep It Short And To The Point 
1. Ideal cover letters are 3/4-page to a full page in length. A cover letter that uses purposeful and precise wording conveys strong communication skills. Click here for a formatting guide 
3. Open With Position and Source
1. Whoever reads your letter will first want to know how you found out about this position and what position you're applying for. So it is recommended to include this information in your opening sentence. Click here for sample cover letters.
4. Research
1. Make it clear that you spent time researching the organization and that you understand their work and mission. Gather information from sources such as the organization's website, LinkedIn, etc. 
5. Explain Why You Want The Position
1. Each cover letter you write should always answer the question, "Why this position?" Explain how this position fits with your career goals and why you’re interested or excited about this position, preferably in the opening paragraph.
6. Describe Your Specific Contributions
1. List one or two examples of how your skills, experiences, and qualities directly fit the company's needs and position description. Answer questions such as: "How can the company benefit from your experiences?" and "What are you bringing to the table?"
7. Be Convincing
1. This is a letter to persuade the recruiter that you are qualified and right for the position. Focus on your strengths and use positive, powerful nouns and adjectives (Page 16 of the Career Guide).
8. Avoid Overusing "I"
1. Minimize the use of "I", "me", and "my". Instead, use "you" and "your". For example, instead of "I believe your company would benefit...." try "Your company could benefit from...."
9. End With a Strong Action Statement 
1. The final paragraph should clearly state the exact manner in which you will follow up and request an interview, as well as how the recruiter can contact you.  
10. Proofread !!!
1. Re-read your letter, Schedule an appointment at the Career Center in Handshake, or attend drop-in hours to have your letter reviewed by a Career Peer.

Cover letter writing is a learned skill; the more you write the better you will get! So don't stress, and use all the resources the Career Center offers. Good luck on your cover letter writing!

Best Regards, 

Natalia Alfaro

Career Peer