Hi Retrievers, my name is Annie Weinschenk and I work at the UMBC Career Center supporting the Maryland Technology Internship Program. I speak with employers often and many of them are eager to get things back on track and hire talented Retrievers. Although we don’t know when things will reopen, organizations are pivoting and quickly moving to remote opportunities. This post will hopefully provide resources for your career and internship search.
As you are adjusting to the new format of distance learning, you might be worrying about the future of the workforce. We want you to know that the UMBC Career Center is here to support you during this time. The Career Center offers online appointments, virtual resume reviews, mock interviews via Big Interview, online workshops, panels, and one-on-one advising meetings as well as resources on the website to help you get through this time. Here is a link to all of the services that the Career Center is offering.
If you have an internship for the summer and are wondering how it may be affected by COVID here are a few resources for you: (please note these are mostly crowdsourced so please double check information for accuracy)
Even before people were required to work remotely, organizations were using online hiring software more frequently and adapting to workers not being centralized in one location. This is a time for organizations to focus on what their needs truly are and fill the most critical positions. According to Fast Company, industries including communications, education technology, and delivery services are growing during this time.
Remote interviews and meetings have become common so now is a good time to familiarize yourselves with the various tools used to connect with potential employers and colleagues. Become an expert on virtual meeting tools, virtual interviewing tools and shine during your interview. Working remotely exists in many industries, whether it is nonprofit, creative, or tech work, and there are websites dedicated to online remote work. Here are a few remote work resources to begin your search:
Additionally, if you had your mind set on working for a large accounting firm or doing consulting work there are resources dedicated to keeping people informed as to who is actively hiring and who is on a hiring freeze:
This is an uncertain time for everyone and you are not alone. While we do not know what the future will hold, we will get through this together. Keep applying and stay positive, and if you need additional assistance with your job or internship search, log into your UMBCworks account to schedule a Webex/phone appointment with a career advisor.
