Name: Atharv Amit Abhyankar
Pronouns: He/Him
Semester of Internship: Summer 2023
Major: Engineering Management
Current Class Level: Master's Student
This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Maryland Technology Internship Program @UMBC Career Center
Location of the Organization (City, State): Catonsville, Maryland
Title of position: MTIP Intern
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
I report directly to the Program Director for Workforce Development at UMBC's Career Center. My internship revolves around grasping the intricacies of managing the Maryland Technology Internship Program. I've been actively involved in recommending improvements to current workflows, employing data analytics to ensure accurate reporting between students and employers to the State of Maryland, and laying the groundwork for the Airtable Automation tool for future projects.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I found this position while exploring on-campus job opportunities on Handshake, discovering it in the final week of April. It immediately piqued my interest due to its alignment with my background and professional expertise, offering a valuable opportunity to refine my data analysis and process improvement skills. The job description provided a clear reference point for crafting my cover letter. I submitted my application on the same day I discovered the opening. Within a week, I received a response from the Program Director, leading to an interview and ultimately securing the position within another week.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Handshake
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
In my role as an MTIP intern, the most rewarding aspect has been gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire process and witnessing the positive impact of the program on employers, students, UMBC, and the State of Maryland. The staff at UMBC Career Center, particularly my supervisor, have consistently provided unwavering support, guidance, and assistance throughout my internship and professional development. The exposure and values acquired have significantly contributed to my academic journey at UMBC and prepared me for future professional roles.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
With the backing of my supervisor, I successfully formulated and presented to the UMBC Career Center team a functional framework outlining the migration of the entire MTIP workflow to Airtable. This proposed shift is expected to yield significant benefits, including time savings and the alleviation of laborious efforts associated with handling extensive data. In the current Fall term, I've made substantial progress in implementing this transition, leading to a more streamlined experience for everyone engaged in the MTIP process.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
For those delving into on-campus, internship, or full-time opportunities, I strongly recommend maintaining an open, alert, and prepared mindset. Often, valuable resources like the Career Center's resume review, job postings on Handshake, and the MTIP website are overlooked. These channels, along with career fairs, can serve as unexpected gateways to potential opportunities.
My own experiences during the fall career fair at UMBC underscore the significance of staying receptive. As an international student seeking CPT/OPT accepting employers, the Career Center's career fair directory became an indispensable tool in creating a personalized list of prospective employers. This allowed me to systematically approach each employer on my list. Subsequently, I expanded my interactions to engage with other employers in my field, refining my elevator pitch and gaining insights into their organizations.
This proactive approach yielded tangible results as I secured two interview calls. One came from a prominent pharmaceutical company that actively welcomes international students, while the other, although typically not open to international candidates, made exceptions in my case.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
Building upon the philosophy of 'Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water,' this mindset has been instrumental in fostering adaptability and a flexible approach to challenges. In the ever-evolving landscape of my internship, much like water taking the shape of its container, I've embraced a dynamic and open-minded perspective.
Through this internship, I've had the opportunity to expand my professional network significantly. The guidance provided by the Career Center staff has played a crucial role in overcoming my communications and confidence shortcomings. Their support has been transformative, enabling me to navigate not only the technical aspects of the internship but also the interpersonal and communication challenges that often accompany professional growth.
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