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The New Student Book Experience (NSBE), initiated by UMBC president Dr. Hrabowski, is unique in that the book selected each year
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Life would be so much easier if someone could tell us what we were good at. Imagine if we all could sit under a “sorting hat” and be told what characteristics dominate our personalities, what kind of person we are, or even have the chance to see what kind of person we don’t want to be (I’m looking at you, Lucius Malfoy).
Figuring out our skills and talents is hard. There have been so many times where I’ve laid in bed, staring at my ceiling, thinking about how I’m not exceedingly good at anything, but instead mediocre at everything. I’ve doubted my career path so many times, even the one that has been my dream since I was 15 years old, simply because I don’t know if I have what it takes.
How are we supposed to articulate our strengths to employers, whether it be through cover letters, interviews, resumes, or personal statements if we don’t know them? What steps do we take to discover what they are? Do we just learn as we go, or is there a way we can know, now?
These are just some of the resources the Career Center offers students to help them find out things like how they learn, what they are good at, or potential career paths that might fit their personality:
Career Assessments:
The Dependable Strengths Workshop:
On Friday, October 7, from 1-5 PM, the Career Center is hosting a Dependable Strengths Workshop for Arts, Humanities, and Social Science majors in Commons 329. While this workshop already has reached its maximum registration limit, be sure to register early for the next one on January 13. Seats fill quickly! Why in the world would so many people care to spend 4 hours of their Friday at one of these workshops?
The Dependable Strengths Workshops are meant to help clarify your career goals and allow you to pick a path that fits what your interests are. You learn how to market your degree, identify your strengths, and how to articulate those strengths and transferable skills to employers. This critically acclaimed program is meant to boost your confidence and help you determine what your assets are.
Finding out what you’re good at is especially important for college students. Now is the time when you are forging your future and deciding where your career will take you. Knowing what your strengths are will help guide you. I know that it’s difficult to understand what those characteristics are, but if you take the initiative and use the tools at your disposal, you’ll be making sure you don’t end up in Slytherin House when you’re clearly a Gryffindor.
]]>1. Tell us a little about yourself…
My name is Joe, and I’ve been a PASS/SI leader for three semesters now. I lead sessions for CHEM 101 and 102 and PHYS 121. I come from Frederick County, MD, and I am a junior and a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major here at UMBC. I hope to one day become a biology and/or chemistry teacher, and so am also studying for that.
2. Tell us about how you are involved on campus.
Being an SI leader is a large commitment on my part, but when I’m not leading sessions I play tuba in the UMBC Pep Band. I’m also a TA in the Chemistry Discovery Center.
3. How and why did you get involved in being a SI/PASS Leader?
I was referred to SI/PASS through a friend of mine who was also an SI/PASS leader at the time, but I really became involved with it because of my desire to teach. I’ve been seeking out teaching-related internships and programs to further that end.
4. What is your favorite thing about being a SI/PASS Leader?
Teaching is its own reward, and my favorite thing about being an SI leader is being able to help out other students. There really is such a great feeling that comes with helping others.
5. Why should students utilize SI/PASS Sessions?
Students attend SI/PASS sessions to better understand the course material, but also to learn important study techniques. Students come who either have difficulty with the material and need help or understand the material and want to help others. SI/PASS will help all students.
6. What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a SI/PASS session?
Bring any questions you may have about any of the material, or even things regarding class logistics. Be prepared to help answer other students’ questions as well, because the best way to learn is to teach.
7. When and where can someone work with you through the Writing Center?
My Chem 101 sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00-11:50 AM in UC 115.
Hope to see you there!
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The New Student Book Experience (NSBE), initiated by UMBC president Dr. Hrabowski, is unique in that the book selected each year