Work on projectwith Dr. Maggie Holland, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Systems (GES), evaluating conservation and development projects in Central America. 

Position description:

This undergraduate research assistant would become part of a project focused on evaluating the impact of trans-boundary conservation efforts related to the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) in Central America.  I am conducting this research in collaboration with colleagues from Conservation International (CI) and the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank.  In the fall semester, the student will assist in the dissemination of an on-line survey of Central American civil society groups.  Under my guidance, the research assistant will compile survey responses into a database format and assist in basic analysis of those responses.  The student would also communicate with universities and research centers within Central America to compile an inventory of academic research and programs that were developed as a result of the MBC.  During the spring semester, I will work closely with the research assistant to develop a geospatial analysis of conservation and development funding flows related to the MBC.  Each of these activities will contribute to a publication on the MBC, and I expect that this student will have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to these final products.    

I am looking for an undergraduate student in her/his first four semesters at UMBC, with a strong interest in applied conservation, international research, and geospatial analysis.  She/he must have strong Spanish language skills (ability to read text and write short e-mail communications), and the ability to search on-line databases and compile data within simply spreadsheet programs.  Experience using GIS software is an added bonus.  This is a paid research assistantship, and would represent approximately 5-6 hours/week for the remainder of the fall semester, and 3-5 hours/week in the spring.

If interested, please send an e-mail to Dr. Maggie Holland, at: mholland@umbc.edu, no later than Thursday, October 27^th, 2011.  Please include in your e-mail a statement of your current status at UMBC (confirm that you are within your first four semesters), your interest in this project, and your experience/background.  I welcome GES majors to apply, but will also give consideration to non-GES majors who otherwise fulfill the required skillset.  

Are you interested in technology, engineering, science or business? If so, you should apply for a merit based scholarship from the Digital Harbor Foundation Scholarship Fund!

Meet the Digital Harbor Foundation and learn more about their programs on Monday, October 24^th from 12-1pm in the University Center Ballroom Lounge. There will also be free PIZZA!

The Digital Harbor Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications for one renewable $10,000 scholarship for a college freshman and one $5,000 scholarship for a college senior. The deadline to apply is December 9^th, 2011 and all scholarship funds will be distributed in January 2012.

• Creating AutoCAD drawings for concrete walls and slabs to be used for formwork and shoring layouts
• Assisting in material take-offs
• Printing, organizing and highlighting structural and architectural contract drawings
• General office tasks

• Experienced in AutoCAD 2010
• Experienced in blueprint reading
• Excellent command of English

A research team within the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is studying whether a mindfulness and yoga program promotes positive outcomes for 5th and 6th grade students. This three-year study in 6 Baltimore City public schools will assess whether our mindfulness and yoga program helps students cope with stress and reduces their use of alcohol and drugs by the 7th and 8th grades.

We are looking for individuals to join our research team and help us conduct assessments. Assessments include surveys for students and teachers, brief cognitive tests for students, and physiological measures from students, including blood pressure and lung capacity.  No prior training is required.

We are looking for:

• A minimum commitment of 5 hours per week
• Morning availability--most assessments will occur between 8-noon. It would be ideal if you were free Monday, Tuesday, and/or Thursday between 7:30-1.

Several research staff members will travel to schools together to conduct assessments.  We are working with the following Baltimore City elementary/middle schools: Beechfield, Edgecombe Circle, Dickey Hill, Glenmount, Rognel Heights, and Windsor Hills. It’s not necessary to have a car but this would be a big help to the project.

This is a terrific experience if you like working with kids and are interested in yoga/mindfulness or school-based research. You will get training in how to obtain informed consent and how to conduct assessments with urban youth and will receive ongoing supervision and guidance.

The study has already started so please get in touch as soon as possible!

Are you interested in an internship in politics, public policy, or public administration?

Each spring semester, the UMBC Political Science Department sponsors an internship program in Policy, Politics, and Public Administration. Students accepted into this program obtain internships with local and state legislators, members of Congress, political parties, interest groups, think tanks, lobbyists, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. While gaining practical experience and making important contacts in the Baltimore, Annapolis or Washington areas, students earn 7 academic credits. 

Students interested in an internship with Maryland’s legislature, the General Assembly, should try to meet the priority application deadline of Friday, Oct. 21. If we hear from you first, however, General Assembly internships applications may be accepted after this date. The deadline to apply for all other internships is Friday, November 4.

Read more details and download the application instructions at the Political Science Department’s website, http://www.umbc.edu/politicalsci/internships/

For more information, contact Dr. Laura Hussey in the Political Science Department at lhussey@umbc.edu