Susan Hindle

Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help students majoring in life sciences make themselves competitive candidates for jobs and internships.

 Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: I hold a M.S. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from University of Maryland.

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: I majored in Elementary Education as an undergraduate.   My roommate who was studying to be a teacher and knew I was unhappy with my major, said to me one day, “Have you ever considered being a teacher?”  It was the one major I had not considered!  My journey back then mirrors that of many others with whom I’ve worked with over the years – finding their way through trial and error.   It never occurred to me to seek guidance from a professional! 

I later decided to pursue my master’s degree but, unlike my undergraduate degree where I stumbled onto my major, I sought the guidance of a career counselor.  That experience was through an interesting twist of fate, I was offered a full-time position at JHU’s Career Center while pursing my counseling degree.  Upon the completion of my degree, I transitioned into the role of career counselor.

Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?

A: UMD had established relationships with local counties so it was easy to find a placement for my student teaching internship. Upon graduation, UMD held a job consortium for education majors where representatives from various counties came to interview students.

For my master’s, I participated in an internship at a family counseling center in Catonsville, MD.  Once again, JHU had established relationships with various counseling centers in the Baltimore region, which made finding a placement easy.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: I can’t say there is one best piece of advice I have received.  My greatest lessons have come from life experiences.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is that, while you may not be able to change your circumstances or what happens to you, you have control over how you respond.  I believe how we choose to think about and respond to events shapes our destiny more than any other factor. 

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: I view one’s career as a journey, not a destination -- an ever-changing canvas that one must continually adapt to.  The Career Center's mission is to help people navigate their way – much like a compass to a traveler.  While you may find your way without our guidance, much like I did early on in my career -- through trial and error -- there is an easier way!  And no matter where you are along your career path, the Career Center can provide the guidance you need when you need it.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: UMBC is such a dynamic place to work, it’s difficult to choose one thing. But one thing that stands out is that it is a place where ideas are welcome and where collaboration is encouraged – at all levels.

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: After seeing "Riverdance", I fell in love with Irish dancing.  I would love to learn how to Irish dance!

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: Our family enjoys spending time visiting historic sites and museums in Baltimore and DC.  We also love hiking Patapsco Valley State Park.  The park is in our back yard and we hike there year-round.

Want to connect with Susan or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/

Come out TOMORROW, Friday November 7, 2014 at 12 noon in SOND 103 to learn more about How To Get Started in Research!

Follow the link to read about the opportunities and benefits available to you, and also to see what others in your field have done!

Joan Allen

Role at the UMBC Career Center: I coordinate employer recruiting activities.

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: Business.  I enjoyed detailed work.

Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?

A: I participated in a work study program in which I had the opportunity to work at an insurance company in Baltimore.  I was able to not learn many business and administrative processes but was also able to realize that I thrived in this type of environment.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: It is your attitude, not your aptitude.

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: There are a hundred reasons the least of which is to receive the service or advice personalized for you.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: Supportive, positive, community vibe. 

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: Castle tour in Europe.

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: Downtown Baltimore restaurants and DC museums.

Want to connect with Joan or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/

The Washington Center offers the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative (formerly known as the Competitive Government Program) to help students from a wide variety of backgrounds access opportunities with selected government agencies. Positions are located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as well as in other regions across the United States. 

Review this resource to determine if the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative is the best way for you to participate in The Washington Center.

Goals of the Initiative

This initiative is designed to assist the federal government with hiring and training the next generation of leaders. It is focused on supporting federal agencies so that they can meet the priorities of:

• Promoting diversity in the federal workforce
• Increasing the number of veterans hired by the government
• Increasing the representation of people with disabilities

The Federal Diversity Internship Initiative is open to all qualified candidates without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law.

Program Components

• Internship: Students are immersed in a work environment full-time (40 hours/week) and receive direction from a mentor at the federal agency.
• Professional Development: In addition to the internship experience, students have an academic program advisor who organizes workshops on various topics (conducted as webinars for students placed outside of the D.C. area) and provides feedback on written assignments.

Benefits of Participation

• Gain professional experience within the U.S. government
• Learn how to navigate USAJobs.gov
• Build a federal resume
• Conduct informational interviews
• Create an individual development plan and enhance goal setting skills

Contact Info

Federal Agencies

Please contact Nick Catanzaro at Nick.Catanzaro@twc.edu or 202-238-7995 for more information.

Prospective Students

Please contact Lyndsy Horn at Lyndsy.Horn@twc.edu or 202-238-7917 for more information.