Name: Ahmad Adams

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: UMBC Division of Professional Studies

Position Title: Digital Marketing and Web Development Intern

Major or Program: Media & Communication Studies

Current Class Level: Senior

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

I currently manage the posts for the office of Summer and Winter programming. I gather useful media for students that is shared on our blog site, hang posters for upcoming events, table at events to inform them about the Department of Professional Services, and critique website layout choices to name a few.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about the position from Dr. Loviglio And Professor Hassan! I was in professor Hassan's class in Fall 2021 and she emailed about it. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization? 

I enjoy the flexibility that is provided when working in a hybrid setting. I can get in-person training and get help while in person. Then I'm left to my own devices and can produce work to be reviewed when I come back. Critique is easier for me to understand in person because little nuances can get lost over text. I also have class right next to Sherman (where my internship is located) so it only made sense that I walk there after class!

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I think what I've used to make the most impact so far is writing. Particularly for my upcoming post on the Career Center! I think many students gloss over what the Career Center has to offer until they're in the last month of their senior semester. The Career Center is such an amazing resource. It's the primary reason I have my current internship and the one I had this past summer! I also collect articles that can be of help to the student body. For example, topics like: stress management, eating healthy, dorm snack hacks (can't be too healthy), time management, and study tips. My main goal in whatever field I end up in is to help people. The Department of Professional Services helps me do that by allowing me room to be creative by using my skills to the fullest.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

Don't be afraid to reach out on LinkedIn to people that work at the company you're applying for. Your connections matter and it's a good way to get info on what they use at their job. Whether it's software, workflows, or the work environment. After reaching out initially and getting feedback, tell them how following their advice turned out! It's a good way to interact with your connections organically (not every day or every month but often enough they don't forget you).

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I think what helped  me most was having an advisor specialized in helping Arts & Humanities majors. When I think of the Career Center, I think of people looking for jobs in economics, front and back end web development, cyber security, and so on. Basically, the STEM majors since UMBC is known as a STEM school. It's easy to fall into the trap of "oh you're a humanities major, you're not gonna have a job when you graduate." Thanks to my advisor I'm already on my way to having 2 years worth of experience before I graduate in the spring next year!

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