UMBC Careers Unleashed

The PhD Path: Endurance and the Road to Expertise | Ep 28

In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, we pull back the curtain on the doctoral journey with PhD candidates Neil Kpamegan and Claire McDonald. We’re moving past the ivory tower stereotypes to talk about the actual grit it takes to survive research, the reality of living on a stipend, and what happens when your academic ego finally meets its match.Neil and Claire open up about their paths through Information Systems and Gerontology, sharing how they found the "why" that keeps them going when the experiments fail and the imposter syndrome kicks in. We also dive into the "secret clubhouse" of grad school admissions—the networking and relationships that matter just as much as your transcript.In this episode, we cover:The Endurance Controversy: Why a PhD is often a test of persistence rather than just intelligence.The Stipend Reality: Managing finances and the "gateways" of higher education.Breaking the Ego: How to bounce back when your research assumptions are challenged.The Relationship Game: Why your bond with an advisor can make or break your application.Shifting Gears: Why the "rocket ship engine" that got you through undergrad won't take you to the moon.Finding Purpose: Researching for the aging population and the technical world of cybersecurity.A PhD journey is built on "failing forward" and finding the community that supports you through the hiccups.Whether you are a master’s student looking at the next level or an undergrad curious about a research career, this episode is a masterclass in what it really takes to become a doctor.

What Hackathons Can Do for ANY College Student | Ep. 27

What can a hackathon actually do for you?In this episode, we take you inside the world of Hackathons, guided by none other than Bella Goltser, UMBC's very own Hackathon President. We're here to explore how college students can build real skills in just 24 hours. We talk about how Hackathons help you develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that go far beyond coding. You’ll see how students from all majors come together to turn ideas into real projects, present their work, and gain valuable feedback. We also talk about the role of networking, from meeting students at other universities to connecting with companies and exploring internship opportunities.If you’ve ever been unsure about trying something new, this is your sign. You don’t need experience to start. Hackathons are about learning by doing, building confidence, and walking away with something meaningful.Find more resources here at UMBC Career Centerhttps://careers.umbc.edu/Want to know about the next Hackathon? Find More Here:https://www.hackumbc.tech/Want to Hear More of Bella? Find More Here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-goltser/Time Stamps:0:00 - 0:45: Let's Dive In!0:45 - 4:21: Getting to Know Bella4:21 - 6:25: Skills Gained from Leadership6:25 - 10:50: What is a Hackathon?10:50 - 12:25: Humanities Majors at a Hackathon 12:25 - 19:00: Networking19:00 - 24:45: Communication is ESSENTIAL24:45 - 27:00: What do the Organizers do?27:00 - 32:23: More About Bella & Closing#hackathon #collegestudents #umbc #networking #techcareers #studentlife #innovation #STEM #careers #entrepreneurship #skills #HackUMBC #humanities #college #careeradvice #podcast

Thriving in a Challenging Job Market | Ep 26

In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, we get real about what it’s like navigating today’s tough job market. We know what it's like to send out applications every day with zero responses, deal with “ghost jobs”, and face the uncertainty of graduating!Isaiah shares his personal experience as a senior applying consistently and facing silence, while we break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes in hiring so you can build your confidence!In this episode, we cover:Why you might not be hearing back from jobsWhat “ghost jobs” are (and how to spot them)How to stay motivated when the market feels impossibleWhy networking still matters (even if it’s uncomfortable)The real value of internships right nowHow to push through fear and put yourself out thereSometimes, you just have to “snatch the mask off the boogeyman” and go for it, even if your hands are shaking.Whether you’re a student, recent grad, or just struggling in this job market, this conversation is here to remind you: don’t lose hope.Timestamps:00:46 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvMXEPTOXrY&t=46s] - Welcome Retrievers!2:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvMXEPTOXrY&t=130s] - Career Controversy

4 Essential Job Search Tips (For Current Students)

Are you looking to level up your professional game?In this shorter video compilation, Judson and some of our previous guests share four actionable tips to jumpstart your career search and your career readiness to make most of your college experience now.Topics Covered:The Power of the Resume Summary: Learn when to use a summary to explain major pivots and how to highlight transferable skills. Maximizing Academic Advising: Why you should talk to your advisor about more than just course registration. They can serve as mentors, provide career guidance, and connect you with campus resourcesExtracurriculars & Soft Skills: Discover why joining clubs can build "hidden" skills like public speaking and confidence, even if they don't match your major. Tailoring Your Story: Understand why there is no "perfect" resume format and how to shift your sections to showcase your unique experience in the best light. Chapters:0:00 - 4 Career Tips for the Spring Semester 1:05 - Is there a "Perfect" Resume? 2:00 - Getting more from your Academic Advisor 3:10 - Why Extracurriculars matter for your Career 4:40 - Using Resume Summaries for Career Pivots Learn more about UMBC Career resources:https://careers.umbc.eduFollow UMBC Careers:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umbccareersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/umbc/Website: https://careers.umbc.eduUMBC Careers Unleashed highlights real stories, insights, and career advice from students, faculty, and professionals to help you explore your future.

Breaking Down PhD's with Dr. LeGates | Ep 25

Thinking about pursuing a PhD? In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, we sit down with Dr. Tara LeGates, professor in the Biology Department at UMBC, to break down what the PhD journey actually looks like.From deciding whether a PhD is worth the time investment to navigating graduate school, mentorship, networking, and work-life balance, Dr. LeGates shares honest insights from her own academic path. She also talks about discovering her passion for neuroscience, finding the right advisor, dealing with failed experiments, and what it’s really like mentoring students as a principal investigator.If you’re considering graduate school, research, or a career in academia, this conversation offers practical advice and real perspectives on the realities of the PhD journey.Here's what we talk about in this episode: * Is getting a PhD worth it? * Choosing graduate programs and advisors * The importance of mentorship and networking * Handling failure and staying resilient in research * Work-life balance in academia * Advice for students considering graduate school Whether you're a UMBC student or just curious about research careers, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate your path.Learn more about UMBC Career resources:https://careers.umbc.edu [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbURYVVdlT1F6TzBsQnBEbm9VdTFNc0g2TUx1d3xBQ3Jtc0trSE5jVU92TW1ES0VsSC1SWEZWbU8tYVpmaXV1eF9xaFc2Y3VieHhwTFh5R1gyU2J1c1JaOGNZSUFWRVBubEdKZEVuSlkteTFyTHlWOWZJQmR3NElhQVBSNDFnUnpPeE4weUJiNUw4VXVySzNyY3RCOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.umbc.edu%2F&v=0irg0rAa_Zk]Follow UMBC Careers:Instagram:   /umbccareers   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXV6cVhQenpmTDZxa1lpcnVqMmhMTzBHYWEtd3xBQ3Jtc0tuZFFEckdMaF9JOERId3czTjRBRG50T0tzRmsyWGRJbmRlYzlwd3U1VGItQ3lJNW83WmpNRDBwckNiLXpnWjFfdmpzSGVLVS1Jd2JRYzlydldiRl9sc3Y2dzhqRkswNlZNVU5vMkp6ZzRINXdYb1FDRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fumbccareers&v=0irg0rAa_Zk]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/umbc-careers/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmVaak1JeXlaaFp6Qkxwbl9La1Z2aEhiN3JnZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsQVhrT1Z6Mm5YLW9vZ0lRRWJxVk8tQVJyeFB0MVZqNUlYSDNfNWRaY3ZHbE1WMWxWV0Z0RzJCR0kybzVwNGlHUEZCWmRzbm53a3pxdWF6OHVBX1hTN3NkV1RRSDBrU3RvX05mRVZCV09ZOWdLdlVobw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fschool%2Fumbc%2F&v=0irg0rAa_Zk]Website: https://careers.umbc.edu [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHdsSm8tdTVsWVRfZWY0RU1DSnRIcDZOOHk0UXxBQ3Jtc0tsN1YyckJVMkdyRVg5MS1ObUFFNnBaSFJ3Z0h1RW55UVd4bGtTT1ZhOC1XM3RYeGg0anJoMWFocGt1ajJ0dUV1WWVUZHhDemJ2aU5sV3BZMl8wTzhodUZfdlk5QnpKODktNEREMmdTSG51MFp0cUs0NA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.umbc.edu%2F&v=0irg0rAa_Zk]UMBC Careers Unleashed highlights real stories, insights, and career advice from students, faculty, and professionals to help you explore your future.#UMBC [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/umbc] #PhDLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/phdlife] #GradSchool [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/gradschool] #Academia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/academia] #ResearchCareer [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/researchcareer] #STEMCareers [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/stemcareers] #CareerAdvice [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/careeradvice] #GraduateSchool [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/graduateschool] #UMBCcareers [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/umbccareers] #HigherEducation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/highereducation]