Dining Website: https://www.dineoncampus.com/umbc
STEM BUILD at UMBC is an undergraduate success initiative and research study at UMBC funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). UMBC is investigating ways to enhance the success and persistence of students who have the goal of pursuing baccalaureate degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The STEM BUILD at UMBC Initiative is looking for Peer Mentors to assist with the a six-week summer internship program on the UMBC campus (June 11-July 20, 2018) for non-UMBC students from local community colleges and four-year institutions.
Position Description:
Minimum Qualifications:
Compensation: $10/hour (20 hours min/ 40 hours max)
Apply via UMBCworks Job ID: 9297332Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2018
Questions?: Email: Lucie Blauvelt at blauve@umbc.edu
]]>Who’s in your network these days? Sure, you have plenty of Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook friends-- but are you connected with professionals within your career field of interest? Networking and developing relationships with professionals are some the most effective ways of learning how to navigate your career path. Who knows -- someone in your professional network may have an opportunity for you to take your first or next career step!
Below are a few tips on how to go beyond your social network and make professional connections!
Tip 1: Ask everybody for advice, ideas, leads and referrals
You may gain a lot of insight just by listening to the fascinating and inspiring career stories from professionals in your field. Many professionals (new and seasoned) are happy to talk about their career pathways with aspiring professionals just like you! Politely asking them if they could share a little time with you in person (preferably); or via email –could open up the opportunity for you to discover key facts and details about someone who is “actually doing” the things you are considering doing in the future. Furthermore, they also might help you find “insider” opportunities for internships, part-time jobs or high-profile volunteering assignments.
Tip 2: Create a professional email and/or professional networking profile
LinkedInis a social network created primarily for building professional connections. Your profile serves as an interactive resume, where you can list your professional experience and educational credentials. You can join professional groups and search and apply for jobs. There are more than 51,800 UMBC alumni currently on LinkedIn! Sign up here: https://www.linkedin.com/
Tip 3: Start Connecting at UMBC!
Build Your Network - http://careers.umbc.edu/students/network/
The Career Centerhosts networking events and job fairs on a regular basis. Participate in informational interviews, Networking 101, LinkedIn 101 or join the UMBC-Alumni Student Networking Group on LinkedIn!
April is Career Month – http://careermonth.umbc.edu/
Are you ready for the Career Road Trip Challenge? This month, you can attend events/presentations, grab badges along the way, get connected to the rest of the world and explore professional options!
Shriver Center – http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/
There are many career networking and professional mentorship opportunities which are available through the range of services, programs and initiatives sponsored by the Shriver Center – especially with respect to civic engagement and community based service delivery.
And Remember…
Follow up, follow up, and follow up (you get the point) – with your professional contacts! Whether it’s sending them an email every few months, or a message through Linked In, or placing a call to check in – it’s important to maintain all of the connections you make. They’ll be sure to come in handy when you are ready to make your next step!
Name:Olivia Soudry
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Lieber Institute for Brain Development
Position Title: Research Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology
Work Term:Summer 2017 to Spring 2018
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
I work at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, and I am researching psychiatric diseases including Schizophrenia and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome through stem cell research with induced pluripotent stem cells. I reprogram human fibroblast into induced pluripotent stem cells and then differentiate them into neurons. I am specifically interested in the development of neural progenitor cells. I also grow mouse embryonic fibroblasts to use for cell culture plates. On a day to day basis, I assess my cell cultures and decide whether to passage them, expand them, conduct molecular analysis, or to freeze them. The goal of my research is to understand how stem cells from patients with psychiatric disorders develop in comparison to stem cells from patients without these disorders.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
Two summers ago, I shadowed a psychiatrist at Hopkins. The experience went very well and he became a mentor for me. I mentioned that I was interested in research and he suggested I apply to work at Lieber. With his recommendation, I was able to submit an application and the stem cell group decided to take me on as an intern. The UMBC career center was also pivotal to my success by helping me tremendously improve my resume.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
The part that I have enjoyed the most about Lieber is the welcoming environment and the encouraging members of the lab. When I first started my internship, I knew almost nothing about cell culture. The scientists I work with were patient and supportive through my entire learning process. They continue to challenge me every day, and support me through my successes and my failures. This is the reason that I have learned so much in my time at the lab. I have loved working with a group of people who are always happy to teach, guide, and support me and everyone else in the lab. I have loved being a part of such an amazing team of scientists.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I have made an impact in my work by joining a team and helping our team be successful. More importantly, I feel that I have found my niche in the lab. For example, I quickly grasped the skill of culturing mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which are essential for growing stem cells. By growing these cells for the lab, I have saved the lab money that can now be spent in new ways to improve our research.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would urge students seeking internships to seek environments with great people who are willing to teach. The best advice I got when looking for an internship was to ask "Who is the most fun mentor?" Thanks to this advice, I was paired with the most enthusiastic scientist in the lab. He is always happy to explain concepts and experiments to me, no matter how simple or complicated.
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