Dr. Susan Han and Dr. Bruce Herman, UMBC Counseling Center

Parents and students, welcome to UMBC!  College is a time for growth and parental support throughout the college experience is invaluable.  Parents not only experience the excitement and anxiety along with their sons and daughters, but can also provide support when students are confronted with new challenges.  Students who get involved in campus organizations, jobs and activities generally do better academically and are more likely to stay in school.  However, it is sometimes challenging to figure out how to find balance and manage time. As a parent, you can help prepare your child anticipate that they may face academic and social challenges as he or she moves from home and takes steps toward independence.  Stay alert for signs of distress and possible changes in mood or behavior, and throughout the year, ask questions and listen to how they are feeling.  In addition, encourage them to use resources on campus.  The Counseling Center and University Health Services held a “Healthy Retrievers” open house event on August 24 that showcased both offices.  The event was a huge success and helped students engage with many available services that target health and wellness (see pictures on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CounselingUMBC).

One great free resource available at the Counseling Center is the Mind Spa, a tranquil oasis that is replete with tools to help students relax, improve memory and concentration, increase awareness of emotional states, and learn to regulate stress and anxiety.  It is a space equipped for practice of mindfulness, meditation, relaxation, and overall self-care.  Practice of mindfulness and meditation have important physical and mental health benefits such as increased concentration, awareness, and regulation of emotions.  Studies show that these practices have positive short and long-term effects on the brain.  Specific resources that we offer include but are not limited to: a massage chair, biofeedback programs, meditation cushions, hot tea, aromatherapy, light therapy, self-help library, and guided breathing/relaxation exercises.  Students have access to the Mind Spa Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm.  Students can walk-in or call ahead (410-455-2472) to reserve the space or specific resource.

The Counseling Center is a free and confidential resource at UMBC that provides short-term individual counseling, group therapy, referral assistance and psychiatric consultation for a wide variety of concerns.  Some students talk to their counselors about their struggles to adjust to UMBC, while others seek treatment for mood and/or anxiety disorders.  Counseling Center staff also provide drop-in workshops called “Skills 4 Success” which help students learn strategies to improve time management, procrastination difficulties, test anxiety and stress management.  In addition, parents can utilize the Just In Case app (counseling.umbc.edu/familyjustincase) for resources, tips and information about mental health.  At any time, parents can reach out to the Counseling Center for consultation regarding how they can best support their son or daughter. Further information about the Center is available at our website or you can call 410-555-2472 to speak with a counselor.

The UMBC Career Center team spent the summer creating a dynamic new website for UMBC parents and students to use as a resource.  It is hard to believe that fall is already here and our new site has launched!  Please take a few minutes to browse through the valuable information that is included:  http://careers.umbc.edu/.

What comes to mind when thinking about the fall?  Back to school, bobbing-for apples, candy corn, pumpkin pie…fall is a great time of year for treats!  And what better treat could a UMBC student have then to know they are headed for a career they will love.  The key is to avoid the tricks and stale-candy-equivalents of the career decision-making and job search processes by identifying and sticking to a step-by-step, year-by-year plan. 

Luckily, the Career Center (http://careers.umbc.edu/) has created a timeline (http://careers.umbc.edu/families/supporting-your-student/) which provides you and your student with action items for each stage of their academic career.  No tricks here; just straightforward, on-target advice.

Freshmen should really start from day one thinking about their last day as a UMBC student.  In fact, we have had employers tell us that they begin to look at potential candidates as early freshmen year!  The Career Center offers FOCUS (an online career exploration system), Woofound Compass, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to help students identify their interests, strengths and values (http://careers.umbc.edu/students/discover/self/).

Sophomores should nail down major and career decisions and begin to gain marketable skills through internships and other experiences (http://careers.umbc.edu/students/how-to-move-from-college-to-the-workforce/).  It is also the perfect time to dive into UMBC’s online recruitment system, UMBCworks, to look for summer internships or part-time positions, to begin researching industries, and to learn about organizations that hire UMBC students.

Juniors should attend career fairs and other employer events and make sure they are building relationships with faculty and others who will serve as references in the job search and graduate school application processes.  If graduate school is on the horizon, the online Graduate School Guide (http://www.graduateguide.com/) is a one-stop, not-to-miss resource. 

Seniors should start early on…the recruiting season starts as early as September.  Soon-to-be graduates should schedule practice interviews (http://careers.umbc.edu/mock-interviews/), nail down their 30-second networking commercial, and take advantage of all the opportunities we provide to connect graduating students with employers recruiting at UMBC (http://careers2.umbc.edu/calendar/ 

With the guidance and resources of the Career Center, your student will have a head start in avoiding a scary and uncertain future.  We’ve got the treats; come and get ‘em! 

This fall’s Critical Social Justice theme is Baltimore 365. We’re excited for the events that will be happening on campus during the week of October 19th… but why wait?! We’re encouraging UMBC community members to engage with and volunteer in Baltimore City at the 4th annual Project Homeless Connect. This city-wide resource fair provides on-the-spot services for thousands of members of the homeless community.

Next Steps:

• Learn more about Project Homeless Connect at their website. Did you know that last year’s event supported 1,450 people experiencing homelessness or poverty received services on that day? Check out the 2014 post-event summary here. 
• Attend UMBC’s Learn & Register event on Friday, 9/11 at 3:30pm in Commons 332. It’s not a mandatory orientation but this is a great way to learn more about the initiative, meet other UMBC students and staff who are going, learn how to get there via UMBC shuttle, and Register for a timeslot.  Let others know you’re going or invite them via this Facebook event! 
• Register to volunteer! Volunteer shifts are needed on September 23rd and 24th.
• Learn about the issues. Here’s some good places to start your research and learn more:
  • What is homelessness? 
  • Check out the issues at Heath Care for the Homeless Inc. 
  • Read about the razing of Baltimore’s homeless encampments (opinion piece)
  • On Baltimore’s vacant houses – a perspective from The Atlantic. 
  • Learn more about YES Drop-In Center – Baltimore City’s first and only drop-in center for homeless youth.
  • This is not an exhaustive list! What resources do you recommend? Let us know and we’ll add them! 

Also don’t forget you can participate in more extended service-learning opportunities in Baltimore City through the Shriver Center. Check out potential sites and connect with the Shriver Center before September 25th to sign up for PRAC 096. 

Calling all communities, it's time for Campus Conquest! 

Meet on Erickson Field,  Friday, September 25, 2015, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.  Whether you're competing in Super Smash Bros Tournament, the Inflatable Obstacle Course, or Bubble Soccer, be sure to come out, give your all and represent your community!

For additional information about Campus Conquest contact RSA at rsa.umbc@gmail.com.

Do you want your voice heard in your community?  Come out to the RSA General Body Meetings held every Monday at 6:00pm in the Harbor Multipurpose Room.  For more information contact RSA at rsa.umbc@gmail.com.

Apply via UMBCworks: