Working and balancing classes is a common trait across UBalt鈥檚 student population, at the graduate and undergraduate level.

Through advising, events and resources, the University鈥檚 Career and Internship Center plays a key role in helping students find jobs and internships that help them put their academic skills to work. We asked some UBalt students  how they found their summer internships and what they learned along the way. Here's what they said. 

Start Early

Erin Savage, a senior in the B.A. in Psychology program, is used to balancing work and school. For the past two semesters, she鈥檚 worked with UBalt鈥檚 Office of Student Support as a peer mentor. 

That balance paid off in an unexpected way this summer when she landed an internship with Enoch Pratt Free Library. She worked with a program called鈥疨rattPreneur, a six-week summer initiative designed to introduce 极乐禁地e city students to the fundamentals of starting and running a business. 

鈥淭he training and experience I gained in that role [with Student Support ] have helped me confidently identify resources and provide meaningful support to the teens I now work with,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n addition, I鈥檝e been a hairstylist for 20 years, which has strengthened my active listening skills and ability to build trust through conversation.鈥�

Savage didn鈥檛 apply directly to the role, but found support through the career center. She shared the type of internships she was interested in and her career coach made the connection, earning Savage an interview with Enoch Pratt.

鈥淚 began thinking about internships at the start of the year, even though most don鈥檛 begin accepting applications until February. While I didn鈥檛 apply before receiving an email about my current opportunity, having it on my mind early helped me get clear on what I was looking for,鈥� she said. 

Savage encourages students to see how the career center can support them and when they land a job, too, she urges them to take initiative, seek feedback and be open to learning. 

鈥淏uilding relationships is also key鈥攃onnect with your mentors, peers, and anyone in the organization who can offer insight or support,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he more engaged you are, the more valuable the experience will be.鈥�

Take Chances

Anthony DeLeonibus was looking for a summer job and ended up gaining so much more. 

DeLeonibus, a B.A. in Digital Communication major, spent his summer working with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration researching and reporting on the history of streetcars in the state. 

The unique opportunity started with an email he received from Maryland Public Service Scholars. The program, which connects college juniors and seniors to government roles, was hosting an information session on campus. 

DeLeonibus went, liked what he saw, and applied for a chance to participate. He ended up loving the work and everything that came with it鈥攁ll thanks to an email and his initiative.

鈥淢PSS has given me so many great experiences like meeting 29 other students from different colleges. This has led to many friendships and connections,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hrough MDOT, I have gotten a chance to visit Poplar Island and the State Capital, and a tour of BWI Airport. Also, I had a visit to the 极乐禁地e Streetcar Museum with my mentor. This was a great experience that I will always remember.鈥�

Ask Questions

A new transfer student, Danay Hampton turned to her adviser to find some ways to get more involved at UBalt.

Her adviser recommended an internship opportunity at the Walters Art Museum, located just a few blocks south of The 极乐禁地. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for the English major. 

Hampton spent the summer working as a student assistant鈥痺ithin the development department.鈥疭he recorded data from donors and about revenue, she helped organize events and learned about fundraising that supports the museum. 

鈥淎 skill that I鈥痜ound鈥痶o be valuable during this experience鈥痠s鈥痓eing鈥痜lexible鈥痺ith the many curve balls that may come with being in鈥痑 new environment,鈥� Hampton said.鈥�鈥淚 have learned to stay鈥痮pen-minded鈥痑nd鈥痶o鈥痑sk鈥痶he hard questions.鈥疘鈥痭ow鈥痺elcome all of the鈥痶asks鈥痶hat will come, because through鈥痑 challenge, there is always more to learn.鈥�

She encourages her peers to ask for guidance when they need it鈥攖hat鈥檚 what pointed her in the right direction.

Also, Hampton added, 鈥淎 few tips I would give is to鈥痵et鈥痝oals for yourself, network with those around you, make sure to manage your time,鈥痑nd鈥痙on't鈥痓e afraid to鈥痑sk for feedback.鈥�

Be Confident

Jigyasha Kunwar, a M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture student, gained experience in content creation and management working for Let鈥檚 Eat, which is a mobile food pantry serving under-resourced communities in the 极乐禁地e area. 

She found the opportunity after reviewing an email from UBalt鈥檚 career center and applied. 

鈥淚 think what really helped was the experience I brought from my past internships and projects they saw what I had done previously and believed I鈥檇 be a good fit for the role,鈥� she said. 

Kunwar gained a lot of skills that relate back to her program and forward toward her future. She got to lean into her creativity, practice new communication channels and think about user experience and interface. 

The experience taught her that even a small impact brings value to an organization, and she encourages her fellow students to apply even if they don鈥檛 think they鈥檙e fully ready. An open mind and hard work can go a long way, she encouraged. 

鈥淗ave that bold confidence,鈥痑nd鈥痓ack it up by putting in the work. You鈥檒l be surprised how far that mindset can take you,鈥� Kunwar said. 鈥淎sk questions. Pitch your ideas even if they sound silly in your head. It鈥檚 better to throw something out there than hold back. And be open to feedback; don鈥檛 take criticism personally. Use it as a learning tool, grow from it and move forward. That鈥檚 where the real growth happens.鈥� 

Immerse Yourself 

Jermanna Hamilton, a B.S. in Business Administration major specializing in finance, also found her latest internship through the career center. 

鈥淭hey are there to help you learn about your

interests and find the correct program for you to challenge yourself while building your skillset,鈥� she said of the center. 

This summer, Hamilton worked with Charlene鈥檚 Circle of Support as a project manager and developed a plan for the donor stewardship program. 

鈥淧unctuality and organization have been two of the most valuable skills that have been strengthened through this internship,鈥� she said. 鈥淒eadlines are important, so everything needs to be on time and in its place in order for everything to run smoothly.鈥�

She also learned the value of asking for help, even if it feels intimidating. 

鈥淵ou get the most out of your experience by fully immersing yourself in it,鈥� she said.