How UMBC Students Made the Most of Summer

Published: Mar 1, 2010

Through The Shriver Center at UMBC, hundreds of students are foregoing their summer trips to the beach to boost their resumes with internships, co-ops, service-learning and research positions at organizations throughout the U.S.


Benjamin Link
Expected graduation: December 2009
Major: Chemical Engineering

Covidien
New Haven, Connecticut

“Engaging in a summer internship was a terrific way to transition from an academic environment into a professional engineering role. The breadth of experience I received through my industry placement has helped me define the direction my career path will take. Above all else, my internship experience has reinforced the engineering principles and validated the critical thinking skills that are prized so highly at UMBC.”


Kathleen Herwig
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Social Work

Center for Social Change
Elkridge, Maryland

As a student of social work, I was able to expand my knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and use them in a practical manner during my internship. This experience has made me confident in my ability to succeed as a social worker and to work in the nonprofit sector. The Shriver Center has offered me much support and guidance that has allowed me to fulfill my educational and personal goals for the summer.”


Karen M. Silver
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Health Administration and Policy

St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore Medical Services Clinic
Baltimore, Maryland

“Working with Project HEALTH and The Shriver Center has allowed me to apply what I learn in the classroom to the real world. By serving as a case manager for low-income individuals and families in Baltimore City through Project HEALTH and pursuing my health policy degree, I am able to better identify the disparities and challenges that this population faces.”


Maleshia Jones
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Mechanical Engineering

SUNY AGEP Summer Research Institute at Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

“My internship experience has taught me how to take ownership of my research project and my future. The most important benefit I have received is the opportunity to work in a research lab and experience what graduate school is like. I know how to better work independently and am excited about learning what more I can do to contribute to ongoing research.”


Roderick Howard, II
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Majors: Acting and Media and Communication Studies

Maryland Public Television
Owings Mills, Maryland

From the time of my interview to my last day of work, I felt comfortable and knew without a doubt that this was where I belonged. The goal at MPT is to provide programming that respectfully represents the public, is accurate, interesting and thought-provoking. I feel blessed to have been granted the opportunity to work alongside professionals – people who truly care about their viewers.”


Katherine Parris
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Political Science and Modern Languages and Linguistics

State Attorney for Baltimore City, Juvenile Division
Baltimore, Maryland

“I had the opportunity to gain experience in my future career and meet amazing people while observing the judicial and societal issues of Baltimore City youth crime. I also discovered my future calling in becoming a prosecutor. I accomplished all of this while also receiving credit for my involvement.”


Michael Coon
Expected Graduation: December 2010
Major: Computer Engineering

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

“My internship was a huge boost to my confidence. It helped me determine what I want to do in graduate school and gave me some hands-on experience with radar technology.”


Sonia Metangmo
Expected Graduation: May 2012
Major: Biological Sciences

Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

“I learned so many lab techniques and was very well mentored. I had the opportunity to experience two months as a scientist working in a lab almost every day. I had a very unique and remarkable experience this summer because I was mentored by three different scientists.”


Shauna Marquess
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Physics

University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

“This internship gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with optics and electronics, to attend several fascinating optics classes, to meet new people and to visit new places.”


Babajide Durosomo
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major:  Business Technology Administration

McCormick and Co., Inc.
Hunt Valley, MD

“My experience working at McCormick has been very rewarding. I worked with a dynamic team that was purpose driven and rationally thought of ways to use technology to benefit the company not just locally but globally. I now fully understand why McCormick has been voted as one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work 2008. It is truly a great company that will ‘add some spice to your life!’” 


Brian Frazee
Expected Graduation: May 2011
Major: Political Science

Governor’s Summer Internship Program working with the Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment
Baltimore, Maryland

“Choosing to spend my summer participating in the Governor’s Summer Internship Program was one of the best decisions that I have made so far in my undergraduate career. Working directly with a cabinet secretary on policy issues; attending meetings with the secretary, the governor and other high-profile policymakers; drafting a full policy proposal to present to the governor; as well as attending educational seminars in Baltimore and Annapolis have exposed me to the inner workings of state government and how policy is both developed and implemented.”


Andrew Schmitt, Aaron Mitchell and James Thomas
Expected Graduation: December 2010, May 2010, May 2010 (respectively)
Majors: Computer Science

Northrop Grumman
Linthicum, Maryland

“Finding well paying, flexible, year-round internships has been perfect for us both financially as well as serving as an educational supplement to our studies at UMBC. Our experience with The Shriver Center has been great. After helping with our resumes, the Center organized and hosted our interviews right on campus. It couldn’t have been simpler.” 


Jodie Dibley
Expected Graduation: December 2009
Major: Management of Aging Services

Charlestown Retirement Community (Erickson Communities)
Catonsville, Maryland

“At Charlestown, I felt like part of the team on my first day. I couldn’t have been placed in a better-suited internship. I really got exposed to a lot of different facets of a retirement community. It was enjoyable to see all the different components that make a huge organization like this be successful. The community has so much going on during the summer, and the fun never stopped.”


Anuj Agarwal
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
Baltimore, Maryland

“It was amazing to be able to work side by side with some of the greatest trauma surgeons in the world who are saving lives. My internship not only provided me with a ‘real life’ experience, it also strengthened my background and created an opportunity for networking.”


Carlos Urtecho
Expected Graduation: Fall 2010
Major: Political Science

Association of Colleges and University Housing Officers, Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee

“Through my residence life internship at Belmont University, I learned a lot about careers in student affairs. My internship experience has confirmed my career path and has given me valuable experience in the field of higher education. I hope to one day work in a college setting and make a difference in the lives of college students.”  


Marc Zerfas
Expected Graduation:  2011
Majors: Statistics and Financial Economics

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Newburgh, New York

“Forty hours a week is quite a bit of time to give up during the summer but in the end I felt like I accomplished something. This experience opened my eyes to an entirely new field. Before this internship, I had never seriously considered working in the insurance industry. Now I am studying for the first exam needed to be an actuary. The internship gave me something to do as well as a way to make money without having to flip burgers at a McDonald’s.”


Ugonna Ohiri
Expected Graduation: 2012
Major: Computer Engineering

Developmental Robotics Laboratory
Ames, Iowa

“I was able to travel across the country to a renowned robotics conference in Seattle to see the positive contributions in the field of robotics. I was also able to effectively work on a research team that has a good chance of getting a paper published.”


Bahar Adili
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Social Work

International Social Service, United States of America Branch and the Arthur C. Helton Institute for the Study of International Social Service
Baltimore, Maryland

“My internship was an amazing experience and match for me. I was able to use my interest and knowledge of social work, research, nonprofit management and international issues to fulfill my responsibilities as an intern at ISS-USA and its Arthur C. Helton Institute. By spending my summer participating in this internship, I acquired the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector.”


Sarah Candell
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Political Science

Maryland Transportation Authority, Point Breeze Office
Baltimore, Maryland

“During my internship, I researched Bluetooth technology as a possible traffic detector. It was really interesting to learn about the advantages of using Bluetooth technology to estimate travel time. Learning new ways of researching information and learning more about transportation was very enjoyable.”


Jon Jordan
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Major: Graphic Design

MarketPlace Books/Traders’ Library
Glen Elg, Maryland

“Through my internship, I have gained real-world design experience, which will help me land a dream job when I graduate. Not only have I laid-out books and covers, but I have also designed a website seen by thousands that advertises the company’s upcoming forum. The Shriver Center eased the stress involved with the application process, which is especially important at the end of the semester when final exams and projects are the number one priority.”

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