During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latine/x Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture. Throughout this time, i3b, UMBC and the country celebrates the important contributions, heritage, and culture of all Hispanics and Latine/x in the United States. 

Our Hispanic and Latine/x community has profoundly and positively influenced our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

So why does Hispanic Heritage Month start in the middle of September and end in Mid-October?

Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.

The term Hispanic, refers to the racially and ethnically group of folkswho are from hispanophone (Spanish Speaking) countries that were historically colonized by Spain. This term is inclusive to those who also from Spanish origin. The term Latino however excludes Spain, but includes non-Spanish speaking Latin American countries such as Belize, Brazil, Guyana, and Haiti. Please note that even if folks may have ethnic roots from Latin America, they may identify as either, neither or both Hispanic and/or Latino/e/x.

Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latine/x Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Curious about the term Latinx? Please click here.

We are excited to share about events The Mosaic is sponsoring/co-sponsoring during this Heritage Month! 

Music & The Mosaic

Wednesday, September 18 | 12pm - 1:15pm | 2B23 The Mosaic

Hear Our Stories: Celebrating Hispanic & Latine/x Heritage Month 

Wednesday, September 25 | 11:30am - 1pm | The Commons Mainstreet (in front of the Bookstore)

Bachata & Salsa Night 

Friday, September 27 | 6pm - 8pm | The RAC

*This event requires sneakers 

Read about the Presidential proclamation for Hispanic & Latine/x Heritage Month 2024 here!

Learn more about National Hispanic & Latine/x Heritage Month at the official website here.

Name:Lokesh Kambhampati

Pronouns:He/him

Semester of Internship:Summer 2024

Major:Computer Science

Current Class Level:Sophomore

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Lockheed Martin

Location of the Organization (City, State):Bethesda, Maryland 

Title of position: Software Engineer Intern

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

During my internship, I focused on developing software solutions using ServiceNow and Python, particularly for financial development tasks. My day-to-day responsibilities included configuring ServiceNow applications to meet specific business needs, such as creating dynamic field messages and workflows, and conducting data analysis to ensure data accuracy. I collaborated closely with my team members, participated in regular meetings to discuss project progress and challenges, and contributed to preparing presentations. This experience allowed me to enhance my technical skills, improve my communication abilities, and gain valuable insights into both technical and business processes.

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

I obtained my position through the career fair at UMBC, where I had the chance to interact directly with representatives from various companies. I first learned about the opportunity when I visited the Lockheed Martin stand, where I spoke with one of their representatives about the available roles and my interest in their work. After discussing my skills and background, I handed over my resume, which highlighted my experience and suitability for the role. The representative provided me with a link to complete the rest of my application online. Following the career fair, I promptly submitted my application through the provided link, ensuring all necessary documents and information were included. This approach, combined with the face-to-face interaction at the fair, helped me secure the position.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Career Fairs

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

I most enjoyed the amount of knowledge I acquired from my team members, my manager, and the other interns as well!

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

I believe I have made an impact through my work by contributing to the development and optimization of software solutions that improved the efficiency and effectiveness of our projects. My efforts helped streamline workflows and automate processes, reducing manual tasks and increasing productivity for the team.

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

My advice is to keep pushing forward and never stop applying. Rejections are just stepping stones on your journey and don’t take them personally. Instead, embrace the mindset that if one company doesn’t see the value in your skills, another will recognize your potential and the unique strengths you bring. Stay determined, stay resilient, and trust that every “no” is one step closer to the right “yes.”

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

What I liked most about my position was the opportunity to continuously learn from talented team members and collaborate on meaningful projects that made a real impact.