CSEE Professor Chintan Patel and computer engineering student Gurashish Singh recently demonstrated a prototype system that can detect distracted driving behavior at the ATPA expo, the largest gathering of industries involved with transportation. Their novel wearable proximity sensor-based system alerts drivers who show signs of falling asleep, being distracted or driving dangerously.

The project is a collaboration between Professors Ryan Robucci, Chintan Patel and Nilanjan Banerjee. The system was built by graduate students Gurashish Singh and Tsu An Chen. This short video shows some of the dangerous behaviors being detected.

Name: Gretchen Quiteles

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)

Major(s)/Minor(s): Health Administration and Policy

Expected Graduation Year: December 2014

Briefly describe your internship, co-op, research, or service-learning opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

When I come in I assist Hilary Strahota, the Senior Specialist of Communications. Since I've started I have transcribed an audio interview she had with one of the Emergency and Preparedness personnel from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). I have also been helping her keep track of the publications for the upcoming fiscal year. A big project I will be working on throughout my internship is sorting through all the photos the association has had since the beginning and determining which ones will be used for future publications. Responsibilities I have is to assist with the APHL twitter account, help proofread and edit publications, research images for articles and create weekly e-newsletter updates when needed.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

This past summer I was on many job search engines and learned about Indeed. I didn't think I would be able to find an internship to my liking but when I found the internship position I applied immediately. When they sent me an e-mail about a phone screening for the position I prepped myself. I did the same prep for the team interviews that followed. I usually prep by reading through my resumes, reviewing my LinkedIn profile and thinking about my past leadership skills in organizations. After I prep I think of possibly interview questions and create answers that would strengthen my application. But before the phone screening and interviews, I always sat myself down and took a deep breath so I could relax. That's how I knew I wanted the position the most and it definitely helps.

Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

Indeed.com

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

I really enjoyed learning how influential this association is to public health. I never knew that this association is the reason why the CDC receives funding and how they retrieve the data needed to send out the public. Every time I come into the office I feel as if I learn something new about current public health issues and I love it!

What have you gained from your experience that you could not have gained from another opportunity?

Everyone in the workplace has their own work ethic and personality that creates a team. With each personality it can really strengthen a team. Diversity is what is needed the most to achieve a lot.

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

Always listen to your gut. Never give up applying to places. I was rejected by many internships that I thought would be perfect for me and when I got the offer for APHL I was happy the other places rejected me.

Please provide a short quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / the internship placement process.

Working with an open mind can take you further than you can imagine.

UMBC CYBR MPS students Zack Rich and Jeff Scheier (pictured) are interns at the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) in Rockville, MD.

On October 15, 2014, they presented NCCoE use case projects to leading cybersecurity experts from both the private and public domains at the NCCoE’s fall Open House on education and workforce development.

Zack’s project aims to simplify the risk analysis and standards mapping for the health IT sector to create a bridge between security technologies and government standards recommendations. Jeff’s project focuses on providing a foundation for e-commerce businesses to implement easy and low cost network security systems.

Both students are enrolled in UMBC’s graduate cybersecurity program at the Universities at Shady Grove campus. CSEE lecturer and Assistant CYBR GPD Ben Shariati (also pictured) is the academic advisor for students in the NCCoE internship program.

One of the best summer research opportunities out there-- in nearby Gaithersburg, MD.  For students in physics, material science, chemistry, applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering.  Paid accommodations. 

UPCOMING FALL SURF WORKSHOPS

Wednesday, December 3rd

12-1 p.m.

Sherman Hall, Rm.150

Monday, December 8th

4-5:30 p.m.

Sherman Hall, Rm.114

To be placed on a list to receive occasional updates, email Devon Fick at dfick1@umbc.edu

Ridgeback Internship

Ridgeback Network Defense, Inc. is seeking motivated interns to assist with building a cybersecurity device.

• Paid position, 90 day duration, 20-30 hours per week, starting late November or December.
• The location would be in the UMBC CyberHive on the UMBC campus.
• Expertise in C++ is a must. All other criteria are highly desirable.
• Educational attainment is of minimal importance compared to all other criteria.

Criteria for Candidate Selection

>
• Highly skilled at C++ (minimum requirement, must have significant expertise)
• Knowledge of, or experience with, low-level systems programming (e.g., has written a device driver for an operating system)
• Understanding of various AI techniques (e.g., has implemented a computer opponent in a game)
• Understanding of various pattern recognition techniques (e.g., has written software to perform data transformation or analysis)
• Affinity for hacking (the traditional sense of the term; e.g., programs microcontrollers as a hobby)
• High degree of initiative (e.g., regularly learns new subjects or engages in technical projects outside of school)
• High degree of self-confidence (e.g., enjoys projects in unfamiliar fields)
• Achievement or goal oriented (e.g., sets and works toward specific objectives)

Contact Thomas Phillips (Sorry, you need javascript to view this email address. ) with any questions or inquiries.

Laura McDonald

Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help students identify their passions, strengths, and career interests. I also help them prepare to achieve their long term academic and career goals.

Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A:Loyola University MD University of MD, University College University of MD, Baltimore County (Go Retrievers!)

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

A: M.A. in Education/School Counseling (Loyola). I wanted to pursue a second career in counseling. I realized that I had a passion for helping others realize their natural gifts and pursue their dreams. M.S. in Computer Systems Management (UMUC). My goal was to stay cutting edge in the technology field, and increase my career opportunities. B.S. in Information Systems Management (UMBC). The area of IT was a fast growing field. I had strong technical and analytical skills and enjoyed the combined focus of business and IT that the program offered.

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: Yes, I was able as an undergrad to find lots of Co-op opportunities! That is what excited me about going to UMBC. The school was "cutting edge" in this area in the mid '80's. I was able to get a co-op position in IT at NASA, and only delayed my graduation by 1 semester. As a result of having impressive work experience on top of a strong academic background, I got a job as a systems consultant with a Big 8 Accounting firm immediately upon graduation. I owe tremendous thanks to UMBC, and Dr. John Martello for making those opportunities possible. Internship opportunities were incorporated into the School Counseling Masters' program at Loyola. It was a great opportunity to work in a variety of school settings, so that I could get a feel for what was the best fit for me once I graduated.

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

A: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." -Confucious

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: AS SOON AS THEY GET TO UMBC, they should meet with us to learn about important steps they should take to discover their interests and strengths, and plan their career. This process begins immediately, and continues throughout their time at UMBC.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: It is a high quality institution that emphasizes the importance of obtaining valuable work and academic experiences. It's also a great value!

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: To return to Switzerland and Austria with my husband and 3 kids and "re-do" our honeymoon.

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

A: I love to go to the Baltimore harbor with my yellow lab, and anyone else who wants to join me, and walk along the water from Harbor East to Canton.

Want to connect with Laura 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/

This guest post was written by Women’s Center student staff member Ty Philip. 

In celebrating LGBTQ History Month, it’s important to remember those who don’t fit into the mainstream representation of the LGBTQ community. As the LGBTQ community has made gains in society, it is important to recognize that the face of the movement is increasingly white, cis, male, gay, upper class, able-bodied, and heteronormative. When arguments for marriage equality are made, our leaders look back to Stonewall as a way to validate their arguments. Stonewall, after all, sparked the beginning of the LGBTQ rights movement in America. So it’s only right for us to assume that because the face of the LGBTQ movement today is one that is predominantly white, cis, male, gay, upper class, able-bodied, and heteronormative, it has historically been the face of the movement. We know that this is not true.

When we think of LGBTQ rights and Stonewall, we don’t think of all of the trans women of color who have both presently and historically risked their safety and continuously had their lives threatened in order to try to claim a right to navigate in our society. What we think of is people like Harvey Milk whose politics are catered towards those of a privileged LGBTQ identity. We think of Neil Patrick Harris, who is a living representation of the effects and benefits of those privileges. We don’t think of people like Sylvia Rivera, who was present on the actual night of the Stonewall riots. We don’t think of Reina Gossett, either, a trans woman of color who is representative of the same kinds of intersectional oppression faced by Sylvia and all of the others present at Stonewall. It is important to remember that what is the face of the community is not representative of the community itself, that there is marginalization within the community that leaves certain narratives untold. 

As a trans woman of color, Reina Gossett’s narrative is one that is largely untold. Mainstream trans women of color such as Laverne Cox and Janet Mock do an excellent job at bringing widespread attention to unheard narratives, but Gossett delivers this narrative from an activist perspective. Gossett’s emphasis on social change and social action are things that I strongly identify with. With Gossett coming to UMBC, I find myself able to see how social justice can be practiced through social programming. I see how people like Reina Gossett, people like me with marginalized identities and generally untold stories, can find platforms through which we can have our voices heard and inspire change.

I commend Critical Social Justice, the Women’s Center, and Student Life’s Mosaic: Cultural & Diversity Center for choosing Reina Gossett as the keynote speaker for LGBTQ History Month. I am appreciative that untold narratives are being given a space to exist and thrive when they are not given such opportunities by mainstream media. It is important to remember that the while the L and G are the most prominently seen part of the LGBTQ community, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are representative of the community. Trans people of color exist now, and have existed since even before the Stonewall riots. Our stories will not be erased or eradicated.