Name: Katelyn Kelly

Pronouns: She/her

Semester of Internship: Fall 2025

Major: Political Science & Media and Communications Studies

Current Class Level: Senior

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Baltimore County Council

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

Title of position: Communications & Campaign Intern

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

During my internship with a Baltimore County Council campaign, I gained hands-on experience in local government and political communications. My day-to-day responsibilities included drafting social media content, creating graphics, and helping to manage the campaign's online presence to engage voters and increase visibility. I assisted with community outreach by coordinating events, distributing flyers, and interacting with constituents to share the candidate's platform and gather feedback. I also conducted research on local issues and voter demographics to help inform campaign strategy. In addition, I regularly attended events alongside the candidate, helping with setup, engaging with community members, and supporting the campaign's efforts to build strong connections with voters. This role allowed me to strengthen my communication, organizational, and teamwork skills while learning how grassroots efforts and digital media shape local elections.

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

I learned about the Baltimore County Council campaign internship through a campus announcement and word of mouth from my department. After researching the candidate and the campaign's goals, I reached out directly to the campaign team to express my interest and learn more about the opportunity. I submitted my application soon after, including my résumé and a brief statement about my experience in communications and political science. Following a short interview to discuss my skills and availability, I was offered the position and began preparing to join the team. The process was straightforward and moved quickly, allowing me to get involved early in the campaign season.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Faculty Connections

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

What I have enjoyed most about my position is the opportunity to use my voice and discover my own in the process. Working on a local campaign has allowed me to share ideas, create content, and communicate messages that resonate with the community while also learning how to speak confidently about issues that matter to me. Being trusted to draft posts, engage with voters, and represent the campaign at events has helped me develop a stronger sense of my own perspective and how to express it effectively. This experience has not only strengthened my communication skills but also shown me the impact of using my voice to support meaningful change.

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

I believe I have made an impact by helping the campaign connect more effectively with the community and share its message in a clear, engaging way. Through creating social media content, assisting at events, and interacting with voters, I've helped raise awareness of the candidate's platform and encouraged more people to get involved in the local election process. My work in researching local issues and supporting outreach efforts has also contributed to shaping strategies that reflect the needs and concerns of constituents. Even in a behind-the-scenes role, I feel that my efforts have strengthened the campaign's visibility and helped build meaningful relationships with voters.

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

My advice to another student seeking an internship or similar experience is to be proactive and open-minded. Don't be afraid to reach out directly to organizations or campaigns that interest you, even if they haven't posted an official opening—many opportunities come from showing initiative. Highlight the skills you already have, but also express your willingness to learn and take on new challenges. Networking with professors, classmates, and campus organizations can also lead to valuable connections. Most importantly, choose an experience that aligns with your passions, because when you care about the work, you'll gain more confidence, develop your voice, and make the most of every opportunity. 

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

"I loved how this internship gave me the chance to use my voice and build confidence while supporting a local campaign. The Career Center's resources and guidance made it easier to find and pursue an opportunity that matched my interests and goals." 

Your personal statement is more than just a writing sample — it's your opportunity to tell your story and show why you're a great fit for your chosen program or field. Whether you're applying to graduate school, medical school, or a fellowship, your statement should highlight your passion, purpose, and potential.

Here are a few key tips to make your personal statement stand out:

1. Tell Your Story — But Keep It Focused

Admissions committees want to know who you are, not just what you've done. Share experiences that shaped your academic interests or career goals, but keep them relevant. Avoid repeating your resume — use this space to explain why those experiences matter and how they led you to your next step.

2. Show, Don't Just Tell

Instead of saying "I'm passionate about research," describe a specific moment that demonstrates it: the experiment that failed three times before it finally worked, or the late-night study session that sparked your curiosity. Concrete details bring your story to life and make your statement memorable.

3. Connect the Dots

A strong personal statement weaves together your past experiences, current skills, and future goals. Think of it as a roadmap — show how your academic journey has prepared you for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

4. Know Your Audience

Each program has its own values and expectations. Do your research — mention two to three specific faculty whose work inspires you, courses that align with your interests, or ways you hope to contribute to the program. Tailoring your statement shows genuine interest and effort.

5. Revise, Review, and Refine

A great personal statement rarely comes together in one draft. Write freely at first, then revisit your essay to tighten structure, clarify your message, and check for flow. Ask professors, mentors, or a Career Center Specialist to review it and offer feedback.

Ready to Get Started?

Writing about yourself can feel daunting — but you don't have to do it alone. Prep for Grad or Professional School with these resources on myUMBC or on our website, which are both full of templates, examples, and additional tips to craft a compelling personal statement that captures your unique voice and vision. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Name: Yash Bhatt 

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: MS Engineering Management

Current Class Level: Master's Student

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): allBETS LLC

Location of the Organization (City, State): Washington D.C.

Title of position: Project Management & Market Research Intern

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

As a Project Management and Market Research Intern at allBETS, I worked across three mission-driven verticals including fintech (allBETS), healthcare (LarCare), and education (Pay Your Tuition Foundation) to lead product operations, AI research, and process optimization initiatives. My day-to-day included managing sprint tasks in Motion AI, building internal documentation and workflows in Notion AI, and supporting HIPAA, PCI and SOC2 readiness through Vanta compliance implementation. I also contributed to UI/UX and feature testing for the allBETS mobile application, helping coordinate the rollout of new features with the dev team. On the LarCare side, I helped streamline the website onboarding experience and backend workflow, improving operational clarity for internal staff and caregivers. Additionally, I led early planning for an AI-powered chatbot expected to support 1,000+ users across our platforms, while developing onboarding/offboarding SOPs and contributing to cross-functional strategy reports.

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

I took a proactive approach to my internship search and began applying early in the Fall 2024 semester. I discovered the opportunity on Handshake and submitted my application in November 2024. To strengthen my materials, I participated in two resume review sessions offered by Farhan Nadeem and Stephanie from the UMBC Career Center, which helped me tailor my application to the position type and industry expectations. I was invited for a first-round screening interview in late December, followed by a technical interview in January 2025. After a thorough evaluation process, I received my offer in the final week of January. Preparing early and leveraging the Career Center's resources were instrumental in helping me secure this opportunity.

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.), Alumni Networking, Faculty Connections, Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media

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

I've most enjoyed the ability to work directly with leadership while owning initiatives that touched real users and critical operations. From feature testing for allBETS' app to streamlining LarCare's caregiver workflows, I felt trusted to lead and empowered to ask questions, solve problems, and innovate.

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

My work helped drive HIPAA, PCI and SOC 2 readiness across multiple business units, while improving internal clarity through SOPs, dashboards, and project documentation. I helped test and support the release of new features for allBETS' mobile app, coordinated with dev leads to resolve bugs, and refined the onboarding experience for LarCare's caregiver portal. These contributions accelerated operations, enhanced user experience, and supported the broader mission of using technology for community impact.

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

Be proactive in building relationships, not just resumes. Many opportunities are born from conversations. Attend events, follow up with intention, and don't be afraid to pitch yourself. Start early!!! Don't wait for a perfect resume, start applying for internships from August for next summer. Seek advice and help from the career center. Get your resume peer reviewed. 

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

"I appreciated the trust and ownership I was given at allBETS, I got to lead high-impact work alongside leadership. The UMBC Career Center helped me refine my resume and pitch, giving me the confidence to step into the role ready to contribute."

Calling ALL TRANSFER STUDENTS majoring in INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS) or BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION (BTA)! The PeerSIST Peer Mentoring Program is now recruiting mentees and mentors for this year's cohort.

Learn more and apply through our website, and don't forget to share with friends who might be interested and eligible!

Flyer (Also Downloadable Below) 

The 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) STEM conference, hosted by Career Communications Group, Inc., is taking place October 23- 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center with options to participate either in-person or online. There is also an Undergraduate Research Showcase on Saturday, October 25th. 

Are you working on groundbreaking research? Showcase your work by participating in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.  Sign up here as soon as possible as applications are still being accepted. Please see the attached flyer for additional details. 

Additional details regarding the 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) career fair and conference can be found at:  https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/careers/posts/153221.

The 2025 Waves of Change (WOC) STEM conference, hosted by Career Communications Group, Inc., is taking place October 23- 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center with options to participate either in-person or online. The conference features a career fair (Saturday, October 25) where top national and local companies in the STEM fields are actively recruiting STEM interns and professionals in addition to career workshops, and leadership and professional development programs.

You will need to register to participate. Open to ALL students! 

·       The job fair is free! To participate in the job fair only, go to: https://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/woc/2025/job_seekers_registration.cfm. Be sure to check the career readiness workshops that will be held throughout the career fair.

·       To participate in the full conference (in addition to the career fair) go to: https://s4.goeshow.com/ccgroup/woc/2025/student_registration.cfm and select whether you will participate "in-person" (Baltimore, MD) or "online".

There is also an opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Showcase! Are you working on groundbreaking research? Showcase your work by participating in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.  Sign up here as soon as possible as applications are still being accepted. 

If you have any questions, please contact Diane Crump-Fogle (crump@umbc.edu) or Chrisi Giannakaris (chrisig@umbc.edu) from the UMBC Career Center.

Name: Aureliane Tchamdja

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Junior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Research experience

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program

Location of the Organization (City, State): Lincoln, Nebraska

Title of position: Research Scholar

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

I worked with Dr. Wissam Kontar and Mohammad Elayan on our project, "Autonomous Ground and Air Systems for Last-Mile Mobility: A Case Study on the Agriculture System". This research allowed me to explore the logistics of last-mile delivery and learn how to solve route optimization problems using autonomous vehicles and drones in rural, agricultural settings. I had the opportunity to present my research as a poster at both UNL's 2025 Engineering Summer Research Fair hosted by the College of Engineering, and UNL's 2025 Summer Research Symposium hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Other than my poster, other deliverables that I had completed by the end of the program were a 10+ page scientific paper on my project and an oral presentation in front of my peers and faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. I was also able to attend workshops and panels that have better prepared me for graduate school and strengthened my skills as a scientist/researcher.

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

I heard of the Nebraska Summer Research Program through emails that were sent to me during the Fall 2024 semester. I applied and submitted my application to the program in January.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, University website 

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

I enjoyed being able to explore the sustainability/transportation research field, especially being able to look at the use of autonomous technology. I also found the workshops and panels that the program provided to be very valuable. 

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

Although my work was more so in a preliminary stage, I believe that it is still a great contribution to the scientific community because it will help start conversations on how to better address transportation gaps in agriculture and in rural areas as a whole.

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

Advice that I would give to another student seeking an internship is to not be afraid to apply to any and as many programs/experiences as they desire. The more you open yourself up to these opportunities, the more likely you are to get them.

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 research experience was being able to explore a research field that I may not have been able to otherwise, as well as being able to learn more about graduate school and what to expect as a student who wants to pursue a PhD degree.