1.  Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Carly Sciandra and I am a junior Biology major with a Chemistry and History minor. I hope to obtain my MD/Ph.D in the future and spend the rest of my life helping others.

2.  Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I am:

- an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Michael Summers HIV Structural Biology Lab

-the secretary/Risk Management Officer for Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity

-an athlete tutor and Organic Chemistry LA

3.  How long have you been tutoring/working as an SI/PASS Leader. 

-this is my third semester

4.  How and why did you get involved in SI/PASS?

I LOVED going to PASS_SI sessions when I took Biology 141. The confidence the leader instilled in me in my knowledge made me determined to become a leader to do the same for incoming students.

5.  What is your favorite thing about being an SI/PASS Leader?

I love watching students interact in groups to learn material that once confused them. The expression and pride they get when they finally grasp material is extremely rewarding.

6.  Why should students attend SI/PASS sessions?

Even if you are completely confident in the class or struggling to understand something, coming to these sessions will give a student the ability to work with peers to see their perspective on the material. They can gain more confidence through teaching others or work on understanding material through group work and activities.

7.  What advice would you give students about how to prepare for an SI/PASS session?

Read the textbook and take notes on the chapter.

8.  When and where can someone participate in your SI/PASS sessions?

SI/PASS Sessions Schedules are available online on our website.

My CHEM 352 sessions are on Wednesdays  11:00 – 11:50 a.m. and  Fridays 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. in SOND 208 

Attention all UMBC student employees!  
What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!
Make your campus experience count!

Enroll in PRAC 102 Building Skills for Career Success TODAY!  Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Click HERE to enroll in this zero credit practicum for Spring 2017.  Also, obtain the Syllabus below (SEE DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD).  Open to all levels and majors.  Deadline to enroll:  March 6, 2017

Must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus.

Supervisor confirmation of employment will be requested.

QUESTIONS, please contact Caroline Bodnar at the Career Center at  carolc@umbc.edu or (410) 455-2216.

What does the hiring freeze mean for you?

As one of his first acts in office, President Donald Trump on January 22 issued a memorandum to freeze federal hiring. This action halts the hiring of new federal employees, applies to executive branch agencies and aims to reduce the size of government. The freeze impacts hiring for civilian federal employees and exempts the military as well as national security and public safety positions deemed essential.

The hiring freeze is not indefinite. The presidential memo directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to recommend a long-term plan in 90 days to reduce the size of government through attrition. The current hiring freeze will expire once this plan is in place, although it is possible the plan could continue a hiring freeze for certain positions until the size of the workforce is reduced.

OMB and OPM recently issued guidance for federal agencies to help clarify how the freeze should be implemented. Several agencies – such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense – also have released their own specific guidance on exemptions. Please note that there may still be uncertainty at some agencies as federal leaders determine how to apply aspects of the hiring freeze to their workforce. Here are answers to some of the top questions you may be getting from students on your campus:

• Should students continue applying for federal jobs?
  • Yes! The freeze will eventually end and at that point applicants will again be considered for and offered positions. This may or may not occur in 90 days, pending the OMB/OPM plan. Many agencies may continue reviewing applications and conducting applicant assessments during the hiring freeze, although they cannot officially make offers until it ends.
• What if an application is currently under review?
  • Students are encouraged to follow up with the HR contact listed on the job opportunity announcement to see where they stand in the process; however, many federal HR employees are waiting for specific agency guidance and may not be able to provide any additional information at this time.
• What if a student has a job offer on the table?
  • Job offers made prior to January 22 with a start date before February 22 will be honored. Offers made prior to January 22 with start dates (confirmed or unconfirmed) after February 22 will be decided on a case-by-case basis and must be reviewed by the agency leader. Students in this situation should reach out to their federal HR point of contact for more information.
• Are certain programs exempted?
  • Agency leaders can exempt positions deemed necessary to national security (including foreign relations) and public safety (including essential activities to the extent that they protect life and property). These exemptions will be decided on a case-by-case basis and students should check with agencies. Students who take unpaid internships may not be impacted by the freeze since they aren’t being brought on as full-time employees, but they should verify that with the agency. A more complete breakdown of relevant exemptions are noted in this article.
• What about the Pathways Programs? Are they still hiring?
  • Pathways Internship and Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) programs are exempted from the freeze – great news for students and PMF finalists! These appointments are still provisional and conversion is not guaranteed, as noted in the OMB/OPM guidance. Pathways Recent Graduate positions are not exempted and are still subject to the hiring freeze.
  • Current employees under the Pathways Programs are still eligible for conversion to full-time positions. For example, a Pathways Intern or Recent Graduate currently serving in government can still be converted while the hiring freeze is in place, since these jobs often begin with a temporary appointment that is later converted to permanent.
• I heard that national security and public safety careers aren't affected. Is that true?
  • Positions related to national security and public safety may be exempted from the freeze and are determined by agency leaders. Students should check with agencies to determine if hiring still is taking place for posted national security and public safety positions. More specifically, federal civilian personnel jobs for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency are exempted from the freeze, meaning they are still hiring – good news for students interested in intelligence and cyber careers!
• Some students are now questioning whether they want to go into government. What can I tell them?
  • Our government hires for every skill and background imaginable – from engineers to nurses to zoologists to scientists to computer experts. There is a place in government for talented young people, and their impact serving our country can last for decades to come. Through administration changes and beyond, government will continue to need smart, strong and dedicated people to deliver important services for the American people. After a heated election season, emotions are high on both sides of the aisle, but our democracy is greater than the rhetoric and politics. Now, more than ever, is the time for millennials to join in as public servants.

For more on the Partnership’s view of the hiring freeze, check out our CEO Max Stier’s op-ed in the Washington Post. The Partnership will continue to share updates in our Call to Serve monthly e-newsletter for higher education professionals. We encourage you to subscribe at this link.

Image Source: Partnership for Public Service