Name: Rumsha Khan
Pronouns: she/her
Semester of Internship: Spring 2024
Major: BA in Sociology and Management of Aging Services (Double Major), Minor in Health, Wellness, and Aging
Current Class Level: Senior
This semester I completed a(n): Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Baltimore County Government – Department of Aging, Ombudsman Program

Location of the Organization (City, State):
Catonsville Office (Catonsville Senior Center), Maryland
Training: Bykota Senior Center, Towson, MD

Title of Position: Ombudsman Program Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
I’m currently interning with the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Ombudsman Program. The ombudsmen are the voice for older adults in long-term care facilities—advocating for their rights, addressing their concerns, and empowering them to speak up. I’ve visited various facilities, supported the team in addressing resident concerns, and documented visits to better understand residents’ challenges. I also worked on projects like creating a printable assisted living facility resource and collecting data on resident/family councils.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
As part of the Management of Aging Services degree, an internship was required. Professor Lauren Price shared the Ombudsman Program opportunity with me. After researching the role and feeling aligned with its mission, I applied via the county website and interviewed with Lynn McCamie, who became an incredible mentor. After training, I was placed in the Catonsville office.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Faculty connections—specifically Professor Lauren Price’s recommendation—and county government resources.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
Everything! Especially building meaningful connections with residents and empowering them through conversation and advocacy. I also appreciated the diverse learning experiences—from webinars to hands-on work—that expanded my understanding of long-term care systems.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I’ve served as a consistent, compassionate presence for residents, helping them feel heard and respected. I’ve also become more aware of systemic challenges in long-term care and feel inspired to contribute to policy change in the future.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Go in with an open mind and a passion to learn. Engage deeply with the experience, ask questions, and take time to reflect on what this work teaches you about your values and goals. Learn policies—they’re the key to making meaningful change.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:
The Career Center was a huge support throughout my journey. I met with Farhan Nadeem through Handshake, and his personalized resume/cover letter advice made a big difference. The Career Center offers valuable tools and guidance—every student should take advantage of it.

Launching Your Legacy

T. Rowe Price has a focused commitment to providing access and opportunities to diverse talent who are considering a career in asset management. In support of that commitment, we will be hosting our fifth annual Launching Your Legacy program. This program will be hosted virtually via Zoom on the evenings of Wednesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Program Overview

T. Rowe Price’s Launching Your Legacy program is an exposure program designed to introduce undergraduate students graduating between Spring 2027 and Fall 2028 to career pathways at T. Rowe Price. These include investments, distribution (sales and marketing), finance and accounting, investment operations, and technology. Successful participants will have the opportunity to be considered for early talent internships on an accelerated timeline.

Featured Sessions

• Industry Insights
• Associate Panel Discussions
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Discussion
• Investment Game
• Network With Our Professionals and Former Interns

The event will be hosted virtually on April 23 and 24, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET each day.

Apply by clicking the "Apply" button and filling in the application form.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Decisions regarding those selected to attend will be communicated by Monday, April 7, 2025.

You will have 60 minutes to complete the application and are unable to save and return.

Please have your résumé and the following essay question (saved as PDF files) ready to upload before you click the "Apply" button.

Essay question:
What motivates your interest in attending Launching Your Legacy? (250-word limit)

Do you know a college student or recent college grad dreaming of a career with international impact? The Albrecht Fellowship for College Students is a game-changing opportunity! 

From August 12 to 21, the Fellows will participate in an immersive program packed with exclusive sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, and team-building activities—all designed to accelerate their careers. They'll receive mentorship from top executives at companies like McCormick, Stanley Black & Decker, Under Armour, Collins Aerospace, T. Rowe Price, and Pompeian, learn what employers really want, and gain insider knowledge of international business culture.

Plus, they'll boost their communication, leadership, and personal branding skills through hands-on experiences and expert guidance.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, so students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The program fee is $495, with some scholarships available for priority consideration deadline applicants.

The priority consideration deadline is April 20, and the standard application time is June 1.

Your personal brand is more than just a resume — it's the story you tell about yourself through your skills, experiences, and online presence. Whether you’re networking, updating LinkedIn, or preparing for interviews, a strong personal brand can set you apart in a competitive job market.

Here’s how to build a compelling brand that reflects your strengths and career goals.

1. Define Your Unique Value

Think about what makes you stand out. What are your key skills? What industries excite you? What problems do you love solving? Your personal brand should reflect your passions, values, and strengths. To gain clarity, consider writing a personal mission statement that summarizes your career goals and what you bring to the table. Or, you can schedule a career exploration appointment with a Career Specialist at the Career Center. We can help!

2. Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression recruiters and potential employers have of you. Make sure it reflects your best self by:

• Using a professional headshot and a clear, compelling headline that’s aspirational.
• Writing an engaging summary that highlights your skills, career goals, and personality.
• Showcasing relevant work experience with descriptions of your achievements with attached relevant media.
• Incorporating industry relevant keywords and skills throughout your profile as much as possible.
• Actively engaging with the community by commenting on posts, sharing relevant information, contributing industry insights, and connecting with professionals in your field.

3. Tailor Your Resume and Online Portfolio

Your resume and portfolio should be more than just a list of job titles — they should tell a story. Highlight your most impactful experiences and quantify achievements when possible. If applicable, create an online portfolio to showcase your projects, work samples, or even testimonials from colleagues. Think of this all as evidence that ties your accomplishments to your brand.

4. Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

You never know when an opportunity to network will arise, so be prepared with a 30-second commercial that clearly states:

• Who you are
• What you do (or what you aspire to do)
• What makes you unique
• What you’re looking for in your career

Practice your pitch so that it feels natural and confident. Consider using Big Interview and practicing in real-time to the question, “Tell me about yourself.”

5. Stay Consistent Across Platforms

Your brand should be cohesive across LinkedIn, resumes, cover letters, and even personal social media accounts. Consider what font styles, colors, and tone you want to incorporate across all your materials so they’re consistent and a clear embodiment of you. Employers often check social media, so ensure that your online presence aligns with your professional goals. If necessary, clean up your profiles by removing any unprofessional content, or consider looking into privacy settings.

6. Build and Maintain Relationships

Networking is an essential part of personal branding. Build authentic relationships by engaging with mentors, alumni, and professionals in your field, using platforms like Retrievers Connect or LinkedIn. The more visible and engaged you are, the more likely you are to be remembered when opportunities arise.

What’s Next

Want to refine your personal brand and maximize your career potential? Attend the upcoming Keys to Success Workshop on Unlocking Your Personal Brand to learn how to authentically showcase your brand and take control of your career journey!

Name:
Akhil Kanukula

Pronouns:
He/Him

Semester of Internship:
Fall 2024

Major:
Data Science

Current Class Level:
Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...:
Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Ardent Privacy

Location of the Organization (City, State):
Baltimore, MD

Title of position:
Software Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship as a Front-End Developer at Ardent Privacy in bwtech, I was responsible for developing and enhancing web application features to meet the organization’s business requirements. My primary focus was on front-end development using Angular, where I worked to ensure seamless integration and user-friendly interfaces. One of my key projects was developing the DSR feature, which enables users to access, modify, or delete their personal data in compliance with data privacy regulations. This involved designing effective UI components, implementing responsive layouts, and ensuring secure communication between the front-end and backend services. We utilized Node.js for server-side logic and Cockroach DB for handling database interactions. My day-to-day responsibilities included writing clean and maintainable code, participating in code reviews, debugging issues, and collaborating in daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and address challenges. This experience significantly enhanced my skills in front-end web development, problem-solving, and working in an agile development environment.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I learned about the Software Engineering intern position at Ardent Privacy during the UMBC on-campus career fair held in September 2024. At the event, I had an engaging conversation with the company leads, where I expressed my interest in their work and shared my resume for the available positions. Following this interaction, I was invited to an on-site technical interview at bwtech, which went well and allowed me to demonstrate my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. After successfully completing the technical round, I was asked to attend a discussion with the CEO and founder of the company. This conversation was insightful and further solidified my interest in joining the team. Although I did not have extensive prior experience in Angular-based web development at the time, the company appreciated my enthusiasm and willingness to learn, ultimately offering me the opportunity to contribute and grow through hands-on experience during the internship.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.)

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my position at Ardent Privacy was the supportive work environment and the organization’s strong emphasis on continuous learning. The encouragement to explore new technologies and enhance my skills made the internship both rewarding and enriching. I especially appreciated the opportunity to learn something new every day with the guidance of my mentor, who was consistently supportive throughout my journey. His constructive feedback and willingness to help not only boosted my confidence but also played a significant role in my professional growth during the internship.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I made a significant impact through my work at Ardent Privacy by contributing to the development and enhancement of web features aligned with client requirements. The frontend components I developed improved the overall user experience and interface for the web application. Additionally, the enhancements I made to the existing codebase after discussions with the mentors not only optimized performance but also improved code maintainability and readability.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I encourage fellow students to actively engage with seniors and participate in networking events to broaden their professional connections. Building relationships with peers who have industry experience can provide valuable insights and guidance. I also highly recommend seeking early resume reviews to refine and tailor your resume before applying, as presenting yourself effectively is crucial in securing internships. Additionally, taking advantage of the numerous conferences, career fairs, and networking events organized by the UMBC Career Center can significantly enhance your chances of landing internship opportunities. Being proactive in LinkedIn and Handshake like platforms might help a lot.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
I truly appreciated the supportive work environment at Ardent Privacy and the chance to learn new skills under the guidance of my mentor. The UMBC Career Center played a significant role in my journey by providing helpful resume reviews and hosting career fairs, which helped me to grab the internship opportunity.

Have you been offered an exciting internship opportunity that happens to be unpaid? Whether you have already accepted a position or are in the process of applying, you may be eligible to receive a financial stipend to support you in accepting the unpaid opportunity.

The UMBC Career Center and College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are proud to announce the continuation of the Student Internship & Service Fund, thanks to the generous support of our alumni and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

More details and how to apply can be found on Handshake here.

STIPEND AMOUNTS:

• $2,000 stipend for unpaid internships totaling 120 hours or more this summer

• $1,000 stipend for unpaid volunteer service totaling 60 hours or more this summer

• GPA of 2.5 or higher

• You must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student studying in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences who will return to UMBC in Fall 2025.

• You must have obtained, OR plan to obtain an unpaid position.

• If you have not already obtained an unpaid position for summer, you must secure a position by May 1, 2025.

We look forward to supporting you this summer for your unpaid opportunities. 

Happy Spring Break everyone!