This summer, UMBC is offering "Global Health and Aging in Japan", a 2-week long study-abroad course led by Dr. Yamashita. 

This program would fulfill one of the following course options: 

• SOCY 497: Selected Topics in Sociology

• SOCY 698: Advanced Selected Topics in Sociology

• GERO 798: Special Topics in Gerontology

For those of you looking for funding opportunities, we recommend looking into some of the many scholarships that UMBC has to offer:

UMBC Study Abroad Scholarships

One in particular that we'd recommend:

• UMBC College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) Dean's Scholarship for Education Abroad 

The deadline for application is February 16th! Please see the following link for more details on the program and the application process:  

Global Health and Aging in Japan study abroad program information

Contact Professor Birger for information about PBHL elective eligibility.

Welcome back Retrievers! The snow may be keeping us away from campus for a few days but CNMS Advising is nonetheless excited and eager to help you tackle the spring semester! Whether you are starting your first semester here or aiming to cross the stage this May there are many important things to keep in mind in order to make this semester your most successful to date! Check them out below: 

CAMPUS CLOSURE NOTICE:

Advisors will be available virtually on days when UMBC is closed and/or delayed. That being said, please understand that conditions may impact power or internet availability for advisors and therefore our access to virtual meetings, email, and student records. Walk-in advising support will only be available if the University is open. Please continue to monitor UMBC communications for any changes to campus and advisor availability. 

1.) The CNMS Advising Office will be holding walk-in office hours for advising support Mo-Fri 10AM-12PM & 1PM-4PM in UC 205. If you are a new/incoming student please feel free to drop by at any time. Returning students should follow up with their assigned advisor (see here). Advisors can assist with schedule adjustments, registration troubleshooting, and general questions. Walk-in advising support is on a first come, first served basis and may result in a lengthy wait time during busy hours. Scheduled in person and virtual appointments can be arranged via email (CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu). These specific walk-in hours will only be in effect during the schedule adjustment period (see below). Please be sure to bring along a laptop if you intend to make changes to your schedule. 

2.) The last day of schedule adjustment (i.e. last day to add/drop/swap your classes) is Friday, February 6th.  Make sure that you are happy with your classes, that you are FULLY registered for a minimum of 12 credits (if you need to be a full-time student), and that you have established a balanced plan for the semester. Feel free to check in with your assigned advisor if you have any questions/concerns. First semester students can follow up with CNMSAdvising@umbc.edu for support.

3.) Take some time to update your record! Check your myUMBC account to determine/confirm your declared major(s). If your record does not accurately reflect your plans you can submit an updated Declaration of Major Form HERE. When completing the form, be sure to declare/ADD your new major intentions as well as remove/DELETE any unwanted programs.

Keep an eye out for next month's CNMS Advising Newsletter which highlights important dates, upcoming workshops, campus support staff, and helpful tips to help you SPRING back into healthy academic habits from day one!

CNMS Advising is running weekly STEM-specific events in The Learning Collaboratory (UC 115) ranging from workshops to study groups. We will update the list of events every month HERE. ** Bookmark this page to stay in the loop!**

Want to stay in touch with us throughout the semester? Follow us on Instagram @cnmsadvising. We will post event updates as well as STEM college success tips/tricks on a regular basis. 

Attention all UMBC student employees!  

What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!

Interested in gaining a competitive edge in the job market? Sign up for PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success this Spring semester. Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events, you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT: Friday, February 27, 2026

Make your campus experience count! Enroll TODAY! Enrollment is limited to the first 40 student employees. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  

Open to all levels and majors. You must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus. 

How to Register Online

1. Log in to Handshake, then navigate to Career Center > Experiences.

2. Click “Submit an Experience” and select “Career Center – On-Campus Student Employment (PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success)” as the Experience Type. Fill in the required fields and submit.

3. Your registration will be reviewed within two business days. The Career Center will enroll you directly upon review along with sending you additional details.

QUESTIONS, please get in touch with Stephanie Taylor Okoukoni (staylor18@umbc.edu) 

This summer, UMBC is offering "Global Health and Aging in Japan", a 2-week long study-abroad course led by Dr. Yamashita. 

This program would fulfill one of the following course options: 

• SOCY 497: Selected Topics in Sociology
• SOCY 698: Advanced Selected Topics in Sociology

• GERO 798: Special Topics in Gerontology
  
  

For those of you looking for funding opportunities, we recommend looking into some of the many scholarships that UMBC has to offer: UMBC Study Abroad Scholarships

One in particular that we'd recommend:

• UMBC College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) Dean's Scholarship for Education Abroad 
  
  

The deadline for application is February 16th! Please see the following link for more details on the program and the application process:  

Global Health and Aging in Japan study abroad program information

Online Courses via Vector Solutions

Name: Aditya Kulkarni

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Computer Science 

Current Class Level: Master's Student 

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

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

Location of the Organization (City, State): Remote

Title of position: AI Engineer Intern

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

During my internship as an AI Engineer at Brillio, I was part of a team working on building an automated customer care system leveraging Generative AI. My day-to-day responsibilities involved integrating Figma with a React-based application to streamline how customer interactions were captured and processed. I developed workflows that automatically extracted file IDs and node IDs from FigJam URLs, enabling seamless retrieval and processing of customer journey maps. I also worked on setting up automated surveys within FigJam, which generated structured user stories that will later serve as training data for AI models powering the customer care platform. Additionally, I explored the potential of AWS Bedrock and its foundation models for future deployment, documenting how they could enhance scalability and efficiency for the project. Beyond the technical aspects, I collaborated with the design and development teams, managed local plugins, and gained experience in using tools like Figma for product integration. This role allowed me to build a strong foundation in AI-driven application development while contributing to a project with meaningful real-world applications in the healthcare domain.

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

I obtained my internship at Brillio through proactive networking and outreach on LinkedIn rather than a traditional job portal. I came across the opportunity while exploring AI-related roles and decided to directly connect with professionals at Brillio to learn more about the company's work in Generative AI. Through these conversations, I was able to understand how my background in process engineering and programming could align with their projects. After establishing those connections, I was encouraged to apply and submitted my application in early May 2025. This was followed by an interview process where I discussed my technical skills, problem-solving ability, and interest in AI-driven automation. Shortly after, I received an offer and officially started my internship in July 2025.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

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

What I enjoyed the most about my internship at Brillio was the opportunity to work on a project that had both real-world relevance and future scalability. I particularly valued the collaborative environment, where I was able to interact closely with cross-functional teams including designers, developers, and AI specialists. This not only exposed me to diverse perspectives but also helped me understand how different pieces of a project come together to build an end-to-end solution. I found it rewarding to see my contributions—such as integrating Figma with the React application and setting up automated workflows—directly add value to the larger project vision of creating an AI-driven customer care platform. Additionally, the organization fostered a culture of continuous learning, where I had the flexibility to explore emerging tools like AWS Bedrock and gain exposure to cutting-edge AI applications. Overall, the combination of technical growth, teamwork, and the chance to contribute to a meaningful innovation made the experience both enjoyable and enriching.

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

I made an impact through my work at Brillio by helping lay the foundation for an AI-driven customer care platform that can eventually transform how organizations interact with their clients. By linking Figma with the React application and creating workflows to capture and process user journey maps automatically, I streamlined a process that would have otherwise required manual intervention. Setting up automated surveys within FigJam that generated structured user stories also provided the project team with a scalable method of building training data for future AI models. These contributions not only saved time for the design and development teams but also ensured that the project moved one step closer to achieving its long-term vision of an entirely automated customer center. Beyond the technical work, I contributed to documentation and knowledge-sharing, which will help the team continue building upon the systems I helped integrate. While my internship was short, the tools and processes I implemented will have lasting value for the project.

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 would be to focus on proactive networking and showcasing genuine curiosity about the work being done at an organization. Many opportunities don't come solely through job portals but through reaching out directly to professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, starting conversations, and demonstrating how your skills align with their projects. It's also important to tailor your application materials to highlight both your technical expertise and your ability to work collaboratively, since employers value problem-solving and communication as much as hard skills. During the internship, stay open to learning beyond your immediate tasks—sometimes exploring a new tool or contributing to documentation can make a lasting impact. Finally, don't hesitate to ask questions and seek feedback; showing initiative and a willingness to learn often leaves a stronger impression than having all the answers.

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

I really enjoyed the collaborative environment at Brillio, where I could see my work directly contributing to an impactful AI-driven project. The Career Center's guidance on refining my application materials and networking strategies gave me the confidence to reach out on LinkedIn and ultimately secure this opportunity.

Graduate school can be rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. Join the Graduate Student Support Group to connect with fellow grad students in a safe, confidential, and supportive space. This group is designed to help you ask questions, talk through challenges, explore solutions, and work toward your personal and academic goals alongside peers who get it.

When? Tuesdays | February 17 – April 28 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Where? Virtual, scan the QR code 

All graduate students are welcome to participate.

To learn more or get started, call 410-455-2542 or visit your RetrieverCare portal to schedule an initial consultation appointment.

This program is open to full participation by all individuals in accordance with UMBC's nondiscrimination policies.