As college students, I’m sure you’ve written your fair amount of essays. I know I sure have. But writing professional documents is a whole different ball game. Sure, a lot of the same skills are needed. Proper grammar is important and effective communication is a must. There are a few key skills, however, that only come with writing and reading hundreds of resumes. We don’t expect you to do that, which is why we’re here to help with all your professional document needs. Write a first draft, then drop by the Career Center (drop-ins weekdays from 2 pm - 4 pm) to get it professionally reviewed.
When you’re writing a resume keep in mind, it must convey a lot of information in one page without looking crowded or disorganized. That's why we suggest ditching the template and doing it by hand. Check out some sample resumes on our website to get an idea of how to format them. You may notice that there are a lot of different types of sections. We want you to include everything that will showcase your hard work the best, but the ones that must be included are Contact Information, Education, Skills, and Experience. When you’re writing your experience section, try to have descriptive bullet points that show the value you brought to the company you worked for. When in doubt, use this simple formula: action verb + what you did, who you did it for/with, and why it mattered. Check out a longer guide here.
Cover letters are job specific. That is, when you’re writing a resume, it can be used to apply for multiple jobs, but a new cover letter should be written for each job you’re applying to. Samples of cover letters can be seen here. Overall, they should be one page long, with three to four paragraphs. The first should describe how you found the position, the second why you want to work for the company, the third why you’d make a good fit and the fourth a salutation, thank you, and reminder of your contact information. As a rule of thumb, you should reduce any negative language (whether it be about you or the company). Check out a more extensive guide and some examples on our website.
Other documents you might be asked for include (but are not limited to) CVs, personal statements, and writing samples. If you have questions about any of these, please feel free to make an appointment with a Career Counselor. Samples of documents can also be found here on our website.
Name:Mamadou Aliou Diallo
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Regal Beloit
Position Title: Engineering Design and Applications Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Mechanical Engineering
Work Term:Summer 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
As an intern in the Applications team, my duties are to review customer requests and select couplings that best meet their application needs. This involves ensuring that selections are neither overemphasized or undersized, which would lead to overpricing or failure, respectively, and that they meet industry regulations. This also includes making engineering modifications to standard couplings as needed in order to meet specifications.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I first learned of the position during the Spring 2018 Career Fair after speaking with the recruiters, who suggested that I apply online. After applying for the position through UMBCworks, I was called in for an interview. I was finally offered the position after two interviews.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
I enjoyed that fact that my job was never repetitive. Every application is different and therefore requires me to conduct lots of research, almost like a detective. As a result, I learned much about coupling applications in other industries such as steel, paper, and oil. Additionally, I enjoyed working with and learning from other engineers in the company. Everyone was understanding and helpful in making me feel comfortable not only at the beginning of the internship but throughout. The company also has a great culture.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I think my work made a valuable impact as it helped in making sure that requests were processed in a timely manner. I also worked on projects to help improve the efficiency of the process, which will positively impact the company long term.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Be involved in extracurricular activities. After being hired, I spoke with one of the recruiters as to why I was selected out of the many applicants. She replied that my involvements outside of the classroom were what stood out the most. For her, it showed that I was a well rounded individual and that I am able to manage multiple responsibilities at once. Extracurricular activities are a great way to distinguish yourself from every other student out there. And they show that you have some leadership experience and that you’re driven, which are skills highly valued by any employer.
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]]>Why did we partner with Universum?
Because they rock! They are a global research firm specialized in employer branding. This means they help companies become better at offering the best job offer to students, aligned with what you are truly interested in! In the process, be able to see the aggregated data and check out what you are truly interested in. Check-out last year's national insights here!
Looking for any sort of job is a lot of work. Figuring out what job you want to do, finding applications, and submitting your documents is scary and time consuming, let alone trying to do it while juggling a full course load during midterm season. But luckily, UMBC recognizes all of these challenges (and more you might not be considering) and created their Career Center to guide you through the process.
If you’re not sure what you want to do: Check out our online self assessments! They range from the Traitify (takes about 5 minutes) to the Focus2 (takes about an hour). They’re a great starting point when you’re beginning to explore what you want to do with your life. After you take the assessments, you can schedule an appointment with a Career specialist here at the Career Center to discuss your results and what steps to take next towards your new career goals.
If you don’t know where you want to work: Spend a few minutes (or hours, if you like research like I do) reading up on companies. The Career Center pays for access to Vault, a site that has amazing research and reviews all in one place. If there is a company you particularly like, see if they have any upcoming events hosted by the Career Center. Stop by and chat with representatives about their experiences at work.
If you’re applying to positions: Start with UMBCworks. Use the filters to find jobs you’re interested in (as well as the ones you qualify for). After that, try looking at the links by major to find job sites for your specific field. If you want to learn more about the application process, you can make an appointment with a member of our Internships and Employment team to discuss potential places to apply and how to wow hiring managers with your application.
If you’re getting ready to interview: Research common interview questions for your field and see examples of great answers with Big Interview. After you read, try recording yourself answering those questions and send it in to the Career Center to review. We’ll give you feedback on your answers, and you’ll never even have to change out of your sweatpants! If you want more experience interviewing, you can also make a mock interview appointment with the Career Center to practice.
Name:Amina Maswadeh
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Wellness Corporate Solutions
Position Title: Healthy at Hopkins Wellness Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Health Administration and Policy Program
Work Term:Spring 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
My internship is focused on promoting health and well-being within the Johns Hopkins employees. There are multiple avenues that the Healthy at Hopkins teams use including webinars, on-site activities, and a Champion program (a team of Hopkins employees who work with the Healthy at Hopkins team to spread well-being within their individual departments). However, one of the key programs instituted is called the Quarterly Rewards Program where an individual receives points for pursuing healthy actions throughout a three month period which then results in a bonus in their paycheck. My project is gathering multiple resources and coming up with ideas that can be included within the program. Alongside this project, I also am in charge of enrolling and welcoming any new Champions that we receive along with creating resources and activities that can be used during on-site booths and events.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I contacted the support team via the email linked on the Healthy at Hopkins page. I was then transferred to the program manager who asked me to send her a copy of my resume and cover letter. Afterwards, I had a phone interview followed by an in-person interview before receiving an email saying that I was selected as the intern.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
I have enjoyed being able to see the way in which teamwork truly pays off. By working alongside my teammates, I have learned the importance of communication and work ethic. In addition, it is always rewarding to hear and read about successes within the Hopkins employees.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe that by completing this internship, I will have not only assisted in the creation of a program that will be utilized by hundreds, if not thousands. But rather, I will also help inspire someone to take their life, their health into their own hands.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Search for an internship that resonates with you! It truly makes you motivated to work harder and push yourself to accomplish all your goals. At the same time, do not be discouraged if something doesn't happen the way you wanted, it is very possible that something better is waiting for you. So patience and passion is the key!
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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!
]]>Whether you’re graduating and looking for a full-time position (congrats!) or looking for a summer internship, the time has arrived to begin the search. The benefits of internships are extensive. Some majors or programs require them, and even if they aren’t required, they’re a great way to gain experience, make contacts in your field, get a feel for different company cultures, and (maybe) earn some money. As for full-time positions, the answer is obvious. You’ve spent the last four(ish) years of your life earning this degree, and now you get to go out into the real world and put the degree to use!
So, how do you find these internships and job opportunities? There are two main ways:
In Person
The Career Center offers many events through the semester to facilitate connections between employers and students. You can check out all our coming events on our calendar, but I’ll highlight three types here:
On The Roads: These require you to sign up, but it’s definitely worth it. The Career Center takes you by bus to the company where you get to talk with employees and get a feel for the culture and workplace.
UMBC Connects: These events are hosted on campus, no RSVP required. Show up and chat one on one with company representatives.
Career Corner: The least formal of the three options. Stop by the table set up in the Commons and chat for a few minutes with recruiters.
If employer recruiters are feeling a little too intimidating for you at the moment, I’d highly suggest coming in and talking with the Career Center Internship and Employment team. You can make a 30 minute appointment through UMBCworks, and they’ll walk you through the process. When I was a freshman, I came into the Career Center with no idea where to begin or what to do. They helped me land the most amazing summer position. Also consider signing up for the Intern Success Conference on November 7th! There’ll be a panel, keynote speaker, and information sessions all to help you land that perfect internship.
Online
Over the last few years, online networking and job search tools have exploded in popularity. Check out a few of our favorites:
UMBCworks: Just for UMBC students and alumni! Find all types of jobs and on-campus interviews here.
Links by Major: These give you websites and resources exclusive to your major!
Vault: Find companies by types of programs, locations, and majors hired. Then check out reviews from current and past employees.
Linkedin: The classic. There's a reason everyone’s on Linkedin. One of the best ways to network online. Check out our guide here.
If you’re lacking inspiration or not sure what exactly you’d do at an internship, take a look at the Career Center’s Intern of the Week series. Once a week, we interview UMBC students who completed internships about their favorite parts of the job.
Next week, we’ll go over more tools the Career Center has to help you reach your career goals. Over the next few days, look out for events connecting you to Northrop Grumman, T. Rowe Price, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Also, be sure to sign up and attend our Diversity Recruitment event! You’ll get to network with recruiters and eat a free dinner. Good luck with your applications, and I’ll see you next week!