Name:Samuel Bailor
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:Leidos
Position Title:Software Developer Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Computer Science
Current Class Level:Senior
Work Term:Summer 2020
*Don’t miss UMBC CONNECTS: Leidos, a virtual recruitment event on Wednesday, October 7, to learn how you could land an amazing, career-relevant opportunity like Samuel’s!
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
As a Software Developer Intern, I was developing software everyday. I created two Python applications including GUI and backend, as well as several Excel macros. All the software that I created was aimed at improving productivity by providing colleagues with automation. I created multiple programs that searched through documents, databases, and excel spreadsheets to present the user with the data that was most meaningful to them. I had to research new data science and GUI libraries, conduct meetings with the intended users, and create code that could be developed by others when I was gone.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
When I felt like I was ready to apply for internships in my sophomore year of college, I was set on applying to as many companies as it took. I had seen UMBCworks mentioned in some emails and figured I might as well get access to it. To get access to UMBCworks I had to get my resume approved by the career center, so I set up an appointment and brought in my resume. The resume approval appointment actually completely changed my resume for the better. The staff member I met with, Jennifer Heilman, pointed out all of the weak points and suggested how to improve it! After approval, I began applying to positions in UMBCworks as well as attending the Spring 2019 career fair. The interactions I had at that career fair brought me to a point where I received two offers, one from General Dynamics Information Technology and one with Leidos. To prepare for both interviews, I used software suggested by the Career Center, Big Interview. This interview preparation course was extremely helpful and I got offers for both positions. I ended up accepting the Leidos position and sticking around with the company for two internships!
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Seeing how the work I do in my major can be applied to the industry, as well as learning new things from the industry that simply can't be taught in school.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
The multitude of automation software that I created for Leidos saved my colleagues many hours of manual searching and processing, making their lives easier and making the company more profitable.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
First, you should build a strong academic foundation that can be translated into a great resume. UMBC is a tough school and if you do well, recruiters will notice you. You must also believe in yourself and really force yourself to do what you need to do to reach your goal. I applied to over 30 internship positions and only got interviews for two, but that's how I started my career!
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