Dear Faculty and Staff,

There's still time to recognize and honor the exemplary work of UMBC's talented and dedicated Exempt and Non-Exempt staff by nominating them for a staff award. We encourage administrators, faculty, and staff who are familiar with the outstanding contributions of our staff to nominate them for one of these prestigious awards:

• UMBC Presidential Distinguished Staff Awards
• University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Awards
• Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award
• Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award for Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff
• Teresa Lupinek Endowment Award for Exempt or Non-Exempt Staff

Descriptions of the individual awards and the eligibility requirements for each, as well as the nomination form, can be found at 2022-23 Staff Awards. Each nomination should include the nomination form, a single letter of recommendation, and the nominee's resume or job history form. Please send nominations to Colleen Rebeiro in the Office of the Provost at colleenr@umbc.edu by October 31, 2022. 

Please contact Martina Buckley, Associate Provost for Financial Management and Chief of Staff, at mbuckley@umbc.edu, with questions.

We often hear that "networking" is an essential part of starting and growing a career, but it can be hard to know where to start. With both in-person and virtual options it can all feel overwhelming!

For insights into how to develop and grow your professional network, join Assistant Director for Career Development, Stephanie Taylor, today, Tuesday, October 25^th from 12:00-1:00pm for the virtual Keys to Success: "The Circle: Building Relationships that Advance Your Career" session. For more information, click here. 

In preparation for this session, we wanted to share the top 5 questions that we receive related to networking below:

• "What exactly IS networking?" This is a good question! Network is the process of making personal and professional connections that evolve into mutually beneficial relationships over time. Contacts made through networking can often provide referrals to others who can provide job information or leads.
• "Why should I invest time in networking?" Yes, time is a precious commodity and we want to be sure to use it wisely. Establishing a network of professional contacts can give you the inside scoop about a position or company, provide a space to exchange ideas, help you grow your self-confidence, and develop a support network built on long-lasting relationships. All of these can help you save time in the long run when you are looking for that next perfect opportunity.
• "Ok, I'm convinced. But how exactly do I network?" Starting with your existing circle of contacts - family, friends, neighbors, classmates, professors, etc... - is a great way ease into networking. Engaging them in career-focused conversation can lead to interesting information and new discoveries. You may also want to reach out to UMBC alumni in careers of interest through the UMBC alumni group on LinkedIn. Events on campus such as Career Fairs, Career Corners and Employer Information Sessions provide awesome opportunities to grow your network in areas of interest.   
• "So, once I've contacted them, what do I say?" You can start by asking your contact about their career journey or perhaps what they like best about their current role. Engaging someone in an informational interview is a low pressure way to gain information on an industry, company, or job. These short conversations typically last around 20 minutes and can give you insights into a possible career path before you invest your precious time, energy, and money. Retrievers Connect is a great way to set up these informal conversations that can also help you to build communication skills and practice interviewing. Everyone on this platform has an existing connection to UMBC and are happy to connect with fellow Retrievers. Joining campus organizations and professional organizations connected to your major provide a space to start conversations with people with shared interests.
• "I just had the greatest conversation! So, now what do I do?" Follow-up is an important part to strengthen the relationship with a contact you have just met. Keeping in touch - even just to say Hi!  - keeps the relationship warm and can make it easier if you need to ask for something, like a recommendation, in the future. Continue to cultivate your network through reaching out to new contacts - either in-person or online through LinkedIn or Retrievers Connect!

While networking can feel daunting, we hope that sharing the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions can help you find a good starting point that works for you. Additionally, online career resource, Firsthand, has a video with the top 5 tips for networking. Check it out here.

Please feel free to check out some of our additional networking resources on the Career Center website or stopping by our offices on the 2^nd floor of the Math and Psychology building. We hope to see you soon!

Dear UMBC Community,

It has been such a pleasure to witness firsthand the strength of this community and to get to know many of you in my first few months. You have accomplished great things together and are poised to take bold steps forward as a national leader that redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture. I know that my next step must be to engage in deep and comprehensive listening.

To that end, I am pleased to announce the launch of UMBC Bold: Campus Conversations. This initiative will allow for all in our community to share their perspective on the state of the university and to reflect on its future potential.

Vandana Janeja, Chair and Professor of Information Systems, Michelle Scott, Professor of History, and Greg Simmons, M.P.P. '04, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, have graciously agreed to chair a committee charged with leading the campus conversations. Two of our distinguished community members will also serve as honorary committee chairs: Adrienne Jones '76, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, and Alan Wilson, Chair of the UMBC Board of Visitors.

We hope that you will engage with us at sessions focused on a breadth of topics including: the academic experience, our research enterprise, partnerships, governance, and other areas that impact students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Our conversations will be guided by three questions:  

1. What achievements and core values should we celebrate and nurture?
2. What challenges might hinder our ability to advance our mission and vision?
3. What are your bold aspirations for the future of UMBC?

I am eager to spend this time listening and learning with you. I know that as we go forward, we must go together.

Thank you,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

Love Languages

Pop-Up: Beverage Bar

From October 22nd until October 26 with its peak day and main celebration on October 24th, 2022, Diwali is celebrated both religiously and culturally worldwide.

Also known as “The Festival of Lights”, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil with family gatherings, colorful lights, and fireworks. With the use of “diyas” (lamps), households are all decorated in this celebration.

Diwali is primarily celebrated by those of Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, with a large cultural celebration by people throughout the world. Along with the light of diyas, fireworks are set off on the night of Diwali as a representation to ward off evil spirits. Family is another large aspect of Diwali with the gathering of loved ones while eating sweets and other foods.

Traditions of Diwali can be found here.

All from i3b are wishing that Diwali brings warmth and peace.

Have a joyful Diwali!