The job search can be an exciting time — but it can also feel discouraging when applications go unanswered or interviews don't lead to offers. In a competitive market, rejection is normal, but that doesn't make it easy. The good news? You can learn to navigate setbacks, stay motivated, and keep moving forward, with the help of these tips:

1. Reframe Rejection as Redirection

Remember: every "no" brings you closer to the right "yes." Instead of seeing rejection as failure, view it as feedback. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience — maybe it's refining your resume, expanding your network, or exploring a different industry. Book a Search Strategies appointment with a Career Center Advisor to get even more ideas on how to improve.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

A long job search can feel endless, but there are ways to make it feel more manageable. Break the search down into steps you can accomplish each week, like updating one section of your resume, applying to three jobs, or reaching out to two networking contacts. Small wins can add up — and help you build momentum.

3. Lean on Your Support System

You don't have to go through this process alone. Share your pitfalls and wins with friends, mentors, or career advisors at the Career Center or beyond. They can offer encouragement, perspective, and even new job leads. The more you let others know that you're on the hunt, the more eyes there will be out there seeking viable opportunities. Maybe it would be helpful to meet with a friend outside of career events and apply for job positions together. It's ok to ask for help, accountability, and support.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Stress can easily build up during a long search. Make time for activities that recharge you — whether that's exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a day off from applications. Maybe making a curated playlist while you submit applications can help you stay motivated, or maybe you need to engage in breathwork and affirmations before starting each day. A clear mind helps you stay confident and focused. 

5. Keep Building Skills While You Search

If you're waiting on responses, invest in your professional growth. Take an online course, volunteer for a nonprofit you're interested in, or start a personal project. Sign up for a micro-internship at Parker Dewey or a job simulation at The Forage. Check out offerings from the UMBC Training Centers and watch the Paws & Pivot Webinar Series. Adding new experiences and skills to your resume shows employers that you are staying active and adaptable.

Strategize Your Next Steps

Setbacks don't define your career — they guide it. For more ways to stay resilient and turn challenges into opportunities, join us at our online workshop, Mindset & Momentum: Staying Resilient in the Job Hunt, at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, September 30. This supportive session will share practical strategies to help you stay motivated and keep your search moving forward.

Graduating soon? Whether you’re wrapping up your undergraduate or graduate degree, the final semester isn’t just about finishing papers and projects — it’s also about preparing for what comes next. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until after commencement to start your job search or build your professional momentum. With the right strategy, you can step confidently into the workforce before you toss that cap in the air.

1. Start Early and Stay Organized

Employers often begin recruiting well before graduation dates. Create a system to track job postings, applications, and follow-ups, whether that’s through a platform like Huntr or just a good old spreadsheet. Treat your job search like another class — set deadlines, make checklists, and hold yourself accountable. Find an accountability buddy, if possible, who is also graduating.

2. Leverage Your Network

Your professors, advisors, classmates, and alumni are valuable connections. Share your career goals and ask for advice or introductions. Check out Retrievers Connect or LinkedIn for possible leads to request informational interviews. A single conversation could open doors to opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

3. Polish Your Professional Materials

Your resume and LinkedIn profile should reflect your most recent projects, internships, and accomplishments. Tailor each application to the role you want by emphasizing relevant skills and measurable outcomes. Quantify your achievements whenever you can, and don’t just reiterate your job description. Showcase the impact you’ve made on an organization.

4. Gain Exposure Beyond the Classroom

If you still have time before graduation, consider short-term opportunities like micro-internships, freelance projects, job simulations, or research assistant roles. These experiences show employers your initiative and ability to apply what you’ve learned.

5. Prepare for Interviews with Confidence

Practice common interview questions, prepare stories that highlight your strengths using the STAR technique, and rehearse your 30-second commercial. Confidence comes from preparation — so put in the time now to reduce nerves later. You can even practice by doing a mock interview through the Big Interview platform or by scheduling a Career Center appointment.

Put It All Into Action

Want more strategies to help you transition from student to professional? Join us for the Career Launch Conferenceon September 12 from 12:00-4:00 PM— an action-packed afternoon designed to give you the skills, strategies, and confidence to land your first post-grad role. You’ll learn how to leverage AI tools, impress employers, and make meaningful connections over a free networking lunch. We hope to see you there!

Internships in the tech industry are highly competitive, but with the right search strategy, you can secure an opportunity that will set you up for future success. Whether you're interested in software development, cybersecurity, data science, IT, or others, here are some key steps to help you land a tech internship.

1. Build a Strong Resume and Portfolio

Tech employers seek candidates with relevant skills and experience. Highlight coursework, personal projects, hackathons, or freelance work that demonstrate your technical abilities. If you’re in software development, create a GitHub profile showcasing your code, add the link to the top with your contact information, and reference aspects of your GitHub throughout your resume. For UI/UX roles, build a portfolio website with your designs and write a narrative about how you completed projects from start to finish.

2. Gain Hands-On Experience

Practical experience is crucial to land a tech internship. If you have yet to land something formalized, consider working on open-source projects, participating in coding competitions, or taking on freelance work. Many companies also offer virtual internships and apprenticeships to help students build experience before applying for formal internships. You can also consider checking out sites like Parker Dewey and Forage. 

3. Network with Industry Professionals

Networking plays a huge role in landing tech internships, as you’re 10x more likely to get a job from a referral vs. a cold application. Attend career fairs, tech meetups, and industry conferences to connect with recruiters and professionals in your field. Engage with alumni on Retrievers Connect and LinkedIn, and join student chapters of professional organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). You can also find professional associations that are relevant to your interests through our Majors Resources page.

4. Apply Early and Strategically

Many tech companies recruit interns months in advance, so it’s wise to start your search earlier than you may think. For example, you can start searching for a summer internship in the fall semester. To help with this process, first go to Handshake to and review its internship postings. Then, you can also use platforms like Steppingblocks, LinkedIn, and company career pages to find openings. Tailor your applications by incorporating keywords and industry jargon to your materials, emphasizing relevant skills and quantifying achievements.

5. Prepare for Both Technical and Traditional Interviews

Most tech internships require technical assessments or coding interviews. Practice with platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal, which have free options for students and junior developers. Review common data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques to improve your chances of success. For more traditional interviews you want to make sure you’re prepared to answer questions about yourself, your work, and the role. Practice your responses using Big Interview, or schedule an Interview Prep or Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center.

Time to Take the Next Step

As previously mentioned, one of the best ways to find a tech internship is by attending networking and hiring events. The Maryland Technology Internship Program 2025 Hiring Event is an excellent opportunity to connect with Maryland-based tech employers. There are also opportunities to meet with UMBC alumni in Data Science and Health Information Technology, as well as our Technology and Engineering Industry Fair as part of Career Month in April. Register now for these events to meet with professionals in tech and increase your chances of securing an internship. You got this!