The Global Asias Initiative is now offering the fourth and final round of its student research fellowship in Global Asias for Spring 2026. 

This spring the format for the fellowship will be a 3-credit undergraduate internship with Asian Studies or American Studies. Interns will also receive a $500 stipend. The intern will be working with the Howard County Historical Society (HCHS) to support increasing their archival material on the Asian American Community, which will include both gathering materials as well as community outreach and interviews. 

Internship applications are due October 12, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Application Process: 

• Review the full position description and requirements 

• Speak with a faculty member in Asian Studies or American Studies willing to serve as your Faculty Supervisor should you be selected for the internship

• By 11:59pm on Sun, October 12, 2025: Submit responses to the following questions to Dr. Tamara Bhalla (tbhalla@umbc.edu) and Priya Bhayana (priyab@umbc.edu). Please keep your total response (all 3 questions) to 250 words maximum.

• 1) What interests you about this position?

• 2) Please describe your prior experience with gathering archival material, if any (experience is not required!). If you don’t have direct professional experience in this area, please describe what skills you have that you would bring to this task.

• 3) Please describe your prior experience with community outreach or interviewing, if any (experience is not required!). If you don’t have direct professional experience in this area, please describe what skills you have that you would bring to this task.

TIMELINE:

Deadline for Application: Sun, Oct 12, 2025 by 11:59pm

Applicants Notified of Decision: Wed, October 22, 2025

Spring 2026 Course Registration Opens: October 27, 2025

PAYMENT DISBURSEMENT:

Payment will be distributed to the student as a stipend in two $250 amounts at the beginning and the end of the semester.

• If selected, students will have to complete a short onboarding process

• If students are not already employed by system, they will also have to fill out an I-9

CONTACT INFO:

Please reach out to both Dr. Tamara Bhalla at tbhalla@umbc.edu and Priya Bhayana at priyab@umbc.edu with any questions.

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!

RSVP by Clicking "Going" here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/144320

Join us for the Fall 25 Culture Builders Keynote featuring Dr. Kari Grain

Dr. Grain will share insights from Critical Hope, exploring how educators, leaders, and students can confront systemic harm with courage, reflection, and care while leading on purpose for more just and inclusive communities. Join Dr. Grain and the Fall'25 Culture Builders cohort for an inspiring exploration of Critical Hope, a call to embrace complexity, nurture relationships, and lead with imagination and courage to build communities where justice and belonging can flourish.

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Thursday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 pm in the Skylight Room, Commons Building

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You are also invited to hear Dr. Grain's Keynote address at the Provost's Teaching and Learning Symposium on Friday, Sept. 19. Lunch is served at 11:30 am, and Dr. Grain's talk will be from 12: - 1:30 pm. Registration is required.

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More about Culture Building at UMBC

Culture building is the intentional process of developing and nurturing a set of shared values, beliefs, and practices within an organization or community. Culture builders are actors who intentionally seek to foster a positive and productive environment.

Especially during times of deep societal polarization and loss of shared humanity, an inclusive and equitable culture benefits and requires everyone; we all have a role to play in building the culture we want to see.

The Culture Builders series will host a keynote and set of community conversations each semester focused on connecting community and culture across difference. The series is designed to engage topics and ideas grounded in shared community values, beliefs, and practices that pull us closer to a more loving and just campus. Join us for engaging lectures and community dialogues.

Collaboratively Presented by the Fall 2025 Culture Builders Cohort

• Michale Canale, Accessibility and Disability Services

• Sophia Park, Residential Life

• Priya Bhayana, Global Asias Initiative

• Mitchell Everett, Graduate Student Life

• Cindy Greenwood, The Center for Women in Technology

• Tory Williams, Office of Research Protections & Compliance

• Danielle Bolden, Office of International Students and Scholars

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This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Join us for Good Morning Commuters (GMC)!

Enjoy breakfast with other UMBC commuters and get connected with on-campus resources! There isn't a better way to start your day!

GMC will be hosted every Tuesday morning from 8:30am to 11:00am. It is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time per academic year purchase and are available to be purchased at every GMC with cash only.

Gold Cards at $5 for Commuters

$10 for Residential & Graduate Students 

Name: Gabriel Farmer

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science

Current Class Level: Junior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): T. Rowe Price

Location of the Organization (City, State): Owings Mills, MD

Title of position: Global Technology Intern (Software Engineering)

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

During my time at T. Rowe Price I worked together with a talented team of developers to help support the firm. I was tasked with multiple projects spanning weeks at a time, and was tasked to use problem solving skills and time management to complete the projects within the necessary time frame. It was a social and collaborative environment as each day I’d have a meeting with the whole team and many smaller ones throughout the day connecting me with other software engineers or colleagues at the firm who I collaborated with on facets of the project. It was an amazing opportunity, and a chance for growth as I gained hands-on experience and insight into the actual day to day work of a software engineer.

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

There is an outreach program held by T. Rowe Price early summer called launching your legacy. That program is two days of networking and information sessions with the hopes to connect to recruiters and others throughout the firm as well as learn about the history, culture, and goals of T. Rowe. Throughout that program I gained great insight into T. Rowe, and had the chance to connect to my recruiter, and other software engineers and previous interns to who granted me amazing advice and support. This support continued during the application process, as my recruiter connected me to previous or current interns who could answer any questions I have, and would set me up for practice sessions to prepare for the interview. When applications opened and I’d applied, my recruiter communicated with me throughout the whole process and gave me any advice that I needed. After a behavioral and slightly technical interview I was able to receive the position and have the great opportunity to work at T. Rowe Price for the summer.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Hackathon, Launch your Legacy

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

What I enjoyed most about the organization was the culture. There was never a point where I felt that I couldn’t ask a question, or that I felt out of place. They prioritize community and collaboration. At first I only heard employees say that it was like that, and they even had a catchphrase of “T. Rowe Nice”, but after my short time there it showed me that it truly is that way. There’s never a moment you can’t reach out to someone, ask a question, schedule a quick meeting, and it was amazing to be a part of a culture that knew the importance of connection and community.

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

I believe I made an impact in my work through doing my part for the team. There was no “Intern project” that I’m tasked with that contributed nothing to the team. All of my projects were tasks that were necessary for the team to continue their work. From changing emails that are sent all across the firm, or developing comparison tests vital for a database migration, each project I had felt huge to me, but was truly just a step in the long run. Knowing that my work will be seen and utilized in all of these large projects, and that my work, even the small tasks, are helping someone will always be impactful to me. Being a part of the larger mission and leaving an impression through my work to support the company even while I’m gone.

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

Skills are what can get you an interview, but your personality and attitude is what leaves an impression. Being able to connect personally to those you network with is vital to the process. Once you have those connections, build them up and maintain them. I wouldn’t have the position I did if I’d not connected to those in the firm or my recruiter, and having people inside who support you throughout the process, will only make it easier for you to land that position you dream of.

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

I couldn’t be more grateful to be on a team where no task lacked importance, and no question was too small. Without the career center I wouldn’t have built the confidence to apply to these positions, or the knowledge on networking that has helped me so much throughout this process.