The job search can feel overwhelming, with uncertainty and rejection often taking a toll on mental health. Stress is a natural response, but it’s important to manage it effectively to maintain focus and resilience. Here are some strategies to help: 

1. Stay Active 

Stress can escalate and get out of control when you neglect your physical and emotional health. Build in time for activities like yoga, meditation, or hobbies that bring joy. Check out a free group fitness class at the RAC.  According to the American Psychological Association (1), self-care practices such as regular exercise and mindfulness can significantly improve mood and focus. Even a 10-minute walk in between applications can reset your mind and keep stress at bay.

2. Establish a Routine

Structure can be a powerful antidote to the chaos of job searching. Set daily goals for yourself, such as researching companies, reviewing job search alerts, optimizing resumes, or connecting with industry professionals at networking events, via informational interviews, or through LinkedIn. For instance, spending just two focused hours a day on applications can be more effective than an unstructured eight-hour grind. Routines can improve productivity while fostering a sense of accomplishment, leading to reduced stress.

3. Seek Connection 

Job hunting can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Share your experiences with friends, family, or mentors who can understand and listen to your challenges. The UMBC Career Center is another valuable resource for both practical advice and emotional support. Making connections with those who “get it” can help reduce feelings of isolation.

4. Reframe Setbacks 

Rejection is a natural part of the job search. However, it doesn’t need to define your worth or potential. Harvard Business Review (2) suggests reframing rejection as an opportunity for growth or a step closer to the right job fit. For example, rather than thinking, “I wasn’t good enough,” remind yourself, “This wasn’t the right role for me, but the right one is out there.”

5. Use Available Resources

Take advantage of available resources to make the entire job hunt seem less daunting. Retriever Integrated Health, for example, offers counseling services, workshops, and free online resources for students in need of mental health support. The UMBC Career Center also provides workshops, resources, and 1:1 appointments to help students navigate the job search process. 

Stress during a job search is normal, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Implementing these strategies can help you regain control and approach your search with confidence. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your career aspirations. Handle both with care.

(1)   https://www.apa.org/topics/stress

(2)   https://hbr.org/2022/10/job-rejection-doesnt-have-to-sting

Part One: A Strange and Friendless Road, For a Tomorrow Without Tears

or, being a woman (mostly), queer, and autistic. Self-diagnosing, and the fear of an official medical stamp.

Content Warning for mention of the r-slur.

By Katlynn Seghetti.

Over my time working at the women’s center, I’ve been doing a lot more reflection and thinking about the future. Fun topics, assuredly. In this post, I wanted to verbalize my own, and I’m sure many others’, feelings on being autistic in the current climate. 

I was not recognized as autistic, until I took an AP Psychology course in my sophomore year of high school, (2017/2018, to age myself.) I saw the criteria for autism and literally went ‘hm. That all seems average. Can’t be me though, I’m able to take care of myself.” Consider me shocked when, not even months later, I entered the worst burnout state I’d ever been in – not in school, though. I still kept up my grades, still socialized well enough, but at home, I did nothing but scroll on the internet, or play one particular game until my eyes burned. I was lonely, and I couldn’t understand what the hell happened. 

But I still couldn’t be autistic, right? I’m excelling where it matters. I’m not a burden on anyone else. Ignoring the fact that consistently throughout my entire life, my family referred to me as retarded:

• “Why are you acting so retarded?” 
• “Don’t do that, you retard.” 
• “Aw, you’re serious? You’re our little retard in the family.” 

I couldn’t be autistic, I was purposefully refusing gender norms – I’m non-binary, of course. I couldn’t be, I have friends (who would treat me as a pet- one even did so at one of my more recent birthday parties, or make me the butt of the joke.) I couldn’t be, statistics show it’s a ‘boys’ disorder. 

It wasn’t until I was deep in that burnout that I got content online, tagged #ActuallyAutistic. This post suggested getting fidgets, I did so. It helped- but only because I wanted it to. A weighted blanket helped. But again, only because I wanted it to. Anything that helped me wasn’t because I was autistic. It was just because I’d been doing SO much research (…another sign in and of itself,) that I was simply just fooling myself. Then, came the reflection of my childhood, lots of tears, anger, and all that fun. 

Needless to say, I’m no longer in denial – I even got unofficial testing done at the health center here, and was told, “I can’t diagnose you, but I would say you are probably extremely highly likely autistic.” But… I think that’s where this ends. At least for a few years. I don’t need accommodations to succeed, I have a support system at home to help with the things I do need aid with. What would an official diagnosis give me? Another figurative target on my back. We’re an ‘epidemic’, we’re a social media trend, and we’re not to be taken seriously. Being queer, being connected to womanhood, I’m already terribly at risk. There’s no reason to add another one in the eyes of the government, the medical system, and anyone doubting my passions and my ability to do good work.

What I can do, though, is focus on community. My work in the Women’s Center, creating a Neurodiversity club, and connecting with other autistic (and other neurodivergent) adults at UMBC, allows me this. I can give space to those who feel like they don’t have it, and encourage change and progress. It’s not over until (drumroll) there’s a tomorrow with tears.

Part Two: The Journey through Genesis

or, my goals for next semester, and how we get there. 

What does that mean though? Campus-wide, where do all the neurodivergent students exist? Everywhere, and nowhere. You see someone every day, and probably just call them a ‘weird’ kid. Here’s how we can start.

A Neurodiversity Club.

• This is in the works, but it is genuinely astounding to me that, other than the Disability Advocate Union, something like this hadn’t been created. However, neurodivergent people are so rejected, shoved aside, and treated like a bad thing to keep hushed and under lock and key. Why would they feel empowered to create a club? Going through the process of founding this club, it’s so simple but very scary, in a way. Will the people who ‘verify’ that this club needs to exist agree with us? Will the students think we’re doing a good job? The only way to know is to take the jump.

A Neurodiversity Support Group, for students, and for staff and faculty.

• I can only speak for students, but I understand there’s been some frustration getting recognition on campus. Accommodations feel like interrogations, and going to professors is a stunted legal-speak conversation. Let’s get community, connections and actual neurodiversity knowledge around. Well, my group this spring semester will be part of that- starting a group and collecting resources for neurodiversity. It’s a lot of work. But it’s good work. Students deserve to have good work and support. One thing I didn’t expect is how much support I’ve gotten from the Women’s Center, and how many neurodivergent staff and faculty supported my events. I see you, and I appreciate you. I feel like the work I’m doing is deeply fulfilling, and I know that I wouldn’t have gotten as much headway without everyone.

Trained Specialists; both in SDS and for faculty and staff support

• Yes, working with neurodivergent students can be hard. Seeing the invisible struggles, while making sure people don’t ‘overuse’ or ‘abuse’ the supports is valid. Why not add people who know the details about neurodiversity? Who can support staff and faculty in supporting these students? Who can support SDS in navigating accommodations? Who can empower students to get what they need?

Open Dialogue

• Students need information. That’s why we’re students. Neurodivergent students especially. Let’s create conversations about neurodiversty. Change can’t happen without voices. Students don’t feel heard or respected. This is not anyone’s intention, but it is the impact. We can work together to fill in the rift.

Name:

Neha Nooka

Pronouns:

She/her/hers

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):

Signarama

Location of the Organization (City, State):

Silver Spring, MD

Title of position:

Process & Marketing Systems Design Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

As a Process & Marketing Systems Design Intern, I developed a chatbot for internal use, guiding team members through processes and improving onboarding and training efficiency by 20%. I also designed and implemented automation solutions for Trello boards, which enhanced task management efficiency by 35%. My work involved collaborating with the President of the organization to streamline workflows and create structured documentation.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I applied through the MTIP program, which I learned about in a LinkedIn post. I directly emailed the company and received a response the same day, setting up a meeting to discuss the position further.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I’ve enjoyed most is the opportunity to directly impact the team’s efficiency and productivity. Developing a chatbot for internal use and automating workflows in Trello were particularly rewarding because they led to noticeable improvements in the team’s operations. Collaborating directly with the President and seeing tangible results made the experience incredibly fulfilling.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I’ve made a significant impact by improving onboarding and training processes, boosting efficiency by 20%. Additionally, the automation solutions I implemented increased task organization and workflow efficiency by 35%, helping the team work more effectively and adopt a structured approach to project management.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

MTIP is an excellent resource for finding internships, so I recommend checking it regularly and applying to opportunities that align with your interests. The application process is simple and intuitive. Apart from using MTIP, focus on building both technical and problem-solving skills. Look for ways to improve efficiency in any role and take on projects that challenge you to learn new tools or platforms—this can make you stand out to employers.

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 played a vital role in guiding me through my internship search, offering valuable resources and networking opportunities. I enjoyed applying my skills to real-world problems, such as developing a chatbot and automating workflows, which enhanced the team’s efficiency and productivity.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:

Collaborating directly with the President of Signarama allowed me to gain hands-on experience and make meaningful contributions to the team. The Career Center’s guidance made the process of securing and succeeding in my internship seamless and rewarding.

Take a break with the Office of Equity & Civil Rights!

Grab your favorite sweet treats & hot beverage, de-stress, and recharge. All are welcome!

Please join us in room 932 of the Administration Building from 10:00AM - 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to do all you can to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. You polish your resume, enhance your LinkedIn, and build your network. But sometimes even doing all of this doesn’t feel like enough to get your foot in the door, which can be really frustrating.

You’re not alone. Right now, we’re in a period where the job search seems more difficult than ever. In fact, recent surveys claim that 70% of job seekers are unexpectedly having a more challenging time landing a position (1). There are factors like ghost jobs and applicant tracking systems that now need to be considered. It’s no wonder that job seekers are exhausted with the process, trying to figure out what to do next.

Fortunately, there’s another way to draw the attention of employers, and that’s through personal branding. Personal branding plays a pivotal role in setting yourself apart from other candidates. Your personal brand is how you present your professional identity, skills, and values to potential employers. It encompasses everything from your online presence to how you communicate during networking events or interviews.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates, and 50% decide not to hire based on what they find (2). Therefore, maintaining a consistent, professional image across platforms is crucial. LinkedIn remains a top tool for building a professional brand, but platforms like X and Instagram can also highlight your personal interests and values, giving employers a holistic view of who you are.

Here are some tips on how you can curate a strong personal brand for the job market and beyond:

1. Be Consistent: Use the same profile photo and handle (where possible) across platforms to create a cohesive identity.
2. Showcase Your Expertise: Share industry-relevant content, write thoughtful posts, and engage in discussions with other thought leaders to demonstrate your knowledge.
3. Highlight Your Personality: Employers want to see your authentic self — post about your hobbies, values, or volunteer work to add a personal touch.
4. Audit Your Digital Footprint: Regularly review your social media profiles to ensure they reflect your professional brand. Remove or hide any content that may not align with the image you want to project.

For even more information, refer to the LinkedIn and branding articles in our Career Guide.  

In summary, by incorporating some of these tips, you’ll be well on your way to showcasing your personal brand, which, in turn, can increase your visibility on the job market. Need a new connection? Follow us on Instagram at @umbccareers to stay updated on our latest news and events.

(1)  https://www.aerotek.com/en/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/12/aerotek-fall-job-seeker-survey-job-seekers-say-job-hunt-more-difficult
(2) https://resources.careerbuilder.com/employer-blog/70-of-employers-use-social-networking-sites-to-research-candidates-during-hiring-process