Written by Jenika Brown, OAPA Peer Advisor

It’s time to dispel the notion that taking advantage of people is bad! Okay, before you judge, let me explain. You shouldn’t take advantage of people, but more so the opportunities around you. As a student at UMBC, you are literally surrounded by professionals who are in your desired career field, know people in that field, or are able to provide you with the fundamentals that you need for this field…take advantage of that while you can. It’s as easy as 1,2,3! Keep reading to see how.

Make everyone your advisor!

Believe it or not, the successful professionals around you had to discover themselves, their path, and their passion…just like you. Just asking a professional in your field(s) of interest about their story will open your eyes and doors to countless opportunities! Remember, establishing a good rapport with professionals around you can lead to letters of recommendation, internships, jobs, etc.

Use social media like a pro!

First impressions are everything, and for your potential employer this can mean social media. Forget Instagram; Snapchat; or Facebook, LinkedIn is the place to be!

LinkedIn is a social media site catered to building professional connections. As opposed to funny videos and cool selfies, your LinkedIn profile works as an interactive resume. You can list your credentials, join professional groups, and search and apply for jobs!

P.S.- There’s a UMBC Alumni group on LinkedIn, click here to follow them now!

P.S.S.- Make sure you have a professional email handy, i.e.- your first and last name and minimal numbers.

Start right here at UMBC!

Where better to learn how to effectively network than the Career Center? In addition to hosting a plethora of events that function to further your professional endeavors, like the Career Fair and informational sessions, there are plenty of helpful sources available to you online such as: Networking 101, 10 Effective Tips for Networking, Informational Interviews

Community work is always important and a bonus, and the Shriver Center has plenty of programs, mentorships, etc. that are based in vital civic duties/community service. Click here to learn more about the Programs and Initiatives The Shriver Center sponsors!

It is likely that social media is a part of your daily routine and a main way that you stay socially connected to friends and family.

But perhaps you don’t know some of the more unique ways social media can help maximize your overall college experience.  If that’s the case, let us highlight three ways you can use social media as a college student:

Connect with UMBC Offices and Organizations

Many UMBC offices and organizations have their own active social media accounts. You can follow a UMBC office or organization to learn more about the services they provide or exciting opportunities they have for students. And some, like our office, welcome DMs (direct messages) from students regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

Check out some of these UMBC social media accounts:

UMBC Life

UMBC Campus Life

SEB (Student Events Board)

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Career Center

UMBC Athletics

Network with potential employers

Whether you are on the hunt for an internship, job, or exploring graduate school opportunities, following the social media accounts of places you’re interested in can tell you a lot about its mission, values, and community. This can give you some insight into whether or not a place would be a good fit for you. Some companies and organizations might even use their social media accounts to advertise employment opportunities.

If you are preparing for an internship or job interview, the information you gather from social media can then be used to show that you’ve done your research and have a working knowledge of the company or organization’s practices and current ventures.

Having a LinkedIn account is a great way to connect with professionals working in the field you are interested in. Using LinkedIn, you can message professionals to set up informational interviews (i.e. - to learn about how they entered into the field or to learn more about their job). You could also use a site like LinkedIn to join interest groups and participate in online discussions related to your field of interest.

Learn more about LinkedIn and how you can use it effectively as a college student here.

Gathering Survey Data/Assistance with Class Assignments

Do you need to conduct research for your class? Whether posting qualitative questions you want students to respond to, or sending out a survey link, social media can help you get responses from a larger group of people in a shorter amount of time – just be sure to check ahead of time to make sure your professor is okay with you using this method to gather information!

Additionally, if a class assignment requires community-based work or research, you can use social media to help you connect and network with local organizations that may be able to assist you.

--

Bonus:

Check out this UMBC course!

MCS 355 – Social Media: Networking and Mobility; pre-requisites are MCS 101 or 222 and ENGL 100 or equivalent

This course is designed to encourage students to critically engage with the growing role that social media, online networks, and mobile communication technologies play in their understanding of self and community, sociability and privacy. Students will reflect on the centrality of collaboration, networking, and participation in social media technologies. Assignments and readings will require students to interact with core questions surrounding the emergence of social media and the impact of living increasingly mediated lives. Special attention will be paid to the centrality of writing in a digital world, even as the platforms for composition, editing, and publication have changed.

We often hear the question, "When should I start looking for internships and service-learning?"
Our answer: Now!

Tutoring at-risk middle school students, studying abroad in Portugal, interning at Google, and participating in summer research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are all examples of experiential learning.

Through experiential learning, you will have a chance to learn the coveted "on the job" skills and training that many employers have at the top of their lists.  And, in some cases, you can even earn academic credit while learning! 

Below are some ways that you can gain hands-on, practical experience:

The Center for Democracy and Civic Life:

Interested in strategies for initiating/bringing about social change? The Center for Democracy and Civic Life develops learning forums in which participants enact civic values and build civic capacities. Two of the Center’s initiatives are immersive learning experiences for students: the STRiVE leadership and social change retreat, and Alternative Spring Break.

Undergraduate Research: 

The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) will take place on Wednesday, April 22! Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film. Over 300 presenters participate annually. Researchers work with faculty mentors on independent research or research that is part of the mentor’s on-going projects. 

Education Abroad:  

Studying abroad is one of the best ways to acquire global and intercultural skills.  Research has shown that students that study abroad have greater self-confidence and maturity have better grades, and graduate from college at higher rates.  Attending a Study Abroad 101 information session is the first step to study abroad at UMBC.  Sessions are offered three times per week for the entire semester in Admin 301 at the following times:

Mondays at Noon

Wednesdays at 11:00 am

Thursdays at 3:00 pm

If you act quickly, you might also be to take advantage of these special programs that have extended their deadlines!

UMBC Faculty-Led: Picturing Italian Art & Culture in Context in Rome, Italy: 6-credit program (ART 329 or ART216 (C & AH GEP approved) and ART 369 or ART 392) Learn more by visiting the program brochure linked above. Extended Deadline: February 28, 2020

UMBC Faculty-Led: Child Developmental Psychology & Applied Internship in Granada, Spain: 4-credit program (PSYC200 (SS GEP) & PSYC398(Internship) Learn more by visiting the program brochure linked above. Extended Deadline: February 21, 2020

The Shriver Center:  

The Shriver Center addresses critical social challenges by bridging campus and community through engaged scholarship and applied learning. Through the work of The Shriver Center, UMBC has become a national leader in applied learning, community engagement, and community-based service delivery.

Internships & Co-Ops:

Gaining real-world experience through internship, research, or co-op experience is one of the best ways to make yourself a competitive candidate for full-time jobs and graduate school after you graduate.

Keep an eye out for Career Month in April 2020!  There will be several opportunities to connect with prospective employers who are hiring students for internships and co-ops. You have a chance to win some goodies, as well!

Remember, it is never too early to get a head start on your career! Take the first step today!

Written by Jenika Brown, OAPA Peer Advisor

Who says there can only be one leader? At UMBC you’re never short on opportunities that allow your light to shine as bright as gold! Make a difference in the UMBC community, forge everlasting relationships, or simply add new, advantageous skills to your resume by taking on various leadership roles on campus.

Join a Student Organization

Whether it be a club sport or a sorority/fraternity, you are bound to implement and gain leadership skills, while also becoming part of a supportive family! Serving on an organization’s executive board will allow you to enact skills that you will need in the workforce, as well as help you to initiate positive changes on campus or in the community. Check out this link for a full list of our incredibly diverse organizations.

Get a Job on Campus

Put some extra money in your pocket, and extra skills on your resume. Most student positions on campus promote leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. Log in to your UMBCworks to find open positions right here on campus!

Still don’t know where to start? Let me give you a hand

•  Join forces with the SGA! As an undergrad student you’re already a part of the SGA, you might as well assume a role and work hand-in-hand with faculty to implement the change you want to see! The 2020-2021 candidate application is open now.

• Campus residents stand up and get involved with the RSA! UMBC is not just your school, it is your home. Engage with residential life staff to make the most out of your on-campus living experience.

•  Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA) – Be a part of a close-knit team of students who welcome new students and their families to campus during the summer and winter terms during New Student Orientation.

•   Welcome Week Leaders (Woolies) – As part of the Woolie team you will serve as a resource to all incoming students during Welcome Week, supporting students in their transition to campus and helping them connect to events and upcoming opportunities.

• IHU Peer Facilitator – IHU Peer Facilitators are an integral part of all Introduction to an Honor’s University (IHU) courses, assisting instructors in course preparation, lesson implementation and serving as a resource to students throughout their time in the course.

• Become a part of the A-Team AKA Undergraduate Admissions! Help incoming students with everything admissions!

• Join the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA) as a Peer Advisor! This may sound like a shameless plug...but I can assure you it’s not. This is in fact a very prideful plug! Despite being very shy, working as a Peer Advisor has made me self-assured due to the tasks entrusted to me. Not to mention, my interpersonal skills have increased immensely due to the diverse students I interact with and help daily. We’re hiring now by the way...so if you want, go to UMBCworks and either type in Peer Advisor or the Job ID: 9313716 and apply now!

The end is in sight! If you've earned 90 or more academic credits, you received a message from the Registrar's Office informing you that you are eligible to apply for graduation.

However, eligibility is only the start of the graduation application process. Below are four simple steps you can take now to ensure that you’ll soon be shaking hands with Dr. Hrabowski as you receive your UMBC diploma.

Note: Even if you do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony, you still need to apply to graduate in order to earn your degree.

Step 1: Apply for Graduation!

Friday, February 14^th is the last day undergraduates can apply for May Graduation.

Only those students who have every single requirement needed for degree completion on their spring semester schedules will be permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

If you are taking a course at another institution that you plan to transfer, you must have an approved Verification of Transferability formon file with the Registrar’s Office and be prepared to submit a copy of your schedule.

Step 2: Embrace your degree audit!

Your degree audit indicates your progress toward degree completion. If you see “unsatisfied” items, these are requirements that need to be addressed immediately. Your degree audit is located on your profile in myUMBC, under "Degree."

Makesure any substitutions or waivers of major requirements are documented in your degree audit; you may need to submit a Help/RT ticket to the Registrar’s Office to add these notations to your record.

Step 3: Wrap up any outstanding details ASAP!

If you have Advanced Placement or CLEP scores, transfer transcripts, 201 lever language substitutions, or other items you need to provide to UMBC, delay no longer!  If the major, minor, or certificate program on your record is out of date, or if you have additional majors or minors that you need to remove, submit a new Declaration of Major form.  Any of these items could prevent you from being able to graduate.

Step 4: Let the celebration begin!

Participating in the commencement ceremony* and other celebratory activities on campus is the culmination of all of your hard work. Take time to recognize all it took to get you to this moment and be proud of your accomplishments!

Finally, use this link to check your Honors eligibility.

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, your sophomore year of college can be one of heightened uncertainty and lower motivation, as many students start to second guess choices and paths that were chosen during their first year. In fact, this time frame has a name – The Sophomore Slump.

Fear not, this is a very normal experience for a lot of students!

If you currently find yourself in the midst of the slump, we’ve laid out some ideas for how to cure any “symptoms” you might be experiencing. 

COUNTERING THE SLUMP SYMPTOMS 

Social Symptoms may include no longer feeling that “click” with some friends made in freshman year or feeling like you don’t quite belong in a certain friend group. 

Solutions:  It’s okay to gradually move away from the friends you no longer feel close to and create situations in which you will naturally meet new people. Start trying to form connections with other students in your classes, in your residence hall, or even in a student org you’ve recently joined. 

Academic Symptoms may include lack of motivation to attend class and study, sometimes accompanied by second guessing the major you are pursuing. 

Solutions:  Find some ways to bring novelty and excitement to your academic life.  Change study groups, start using electronic flashcards and study tools (See Study Stack, for example), make a point of speaking in class, etc. And start planning now to take something really intriguing or outside your comfort zone during Winter session. (Winter 2020 registration in now live and you do not need registration clearance!) With respect to the major, talk to your academic advisor, visit the Career Center to take an interest inventory, and network with students in majors that appeal to you.  

Life Direction Symptoms may include guilt about the cost of college given your indecision about the future, or general boredom alternating with feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  

Solutions:  Plan some very positive next steps!  Plan to study abroad. Plan an internship in a field related to your current major or a potential major.  And sign up for new recreational and extracurricular activities like intramural sports, taking up a musical instrument, or joining new clubs or campus organizations.  

GENERALLY SPEAKING 

Sophomore slump tendencies are a reflection of your “middle child” status on campus—no longer new and not yet in the big leagues of academic work. You are no longer eligible for the extra attention given to freshmen, but you are starting to take some challenging upper level courses along with juniors and perhaps even seniors.  

The solution to the malaise of sophomore-hood is almost always action. This would be action to make changes in social habit patterns, action to try new courses, join new organizations, and plan new enriching activities. Sometimes the action you need to take is to collect additional information – about majors and careers, about internships and study abroad programs. Less stewing and more motion will help you beat the slump and stay on course toward graduation and all around success.