UMBC Careers Unleashed

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 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

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 - Welcome Retrievers!2:10 - Career Controversy

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.

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.eduFollow UMBC Careers:Instagram:   /umbccareers  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/umbc-careers/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.#UMBC #PhDLife #GradSchool #Academia #ResearchCareer #STEMCareers #CareerAdvice #GraduateSchool #UMBCcareers #HigherEducation

For many college students, senior year can feel filled with pressure to have the “next step” completely figured out. Grad school? Full-time job? Professional school? Or something else entirely?In this episode, we explore the gap year perspective, the pros, the cons, the reality of struggle; what it really means to take time after graduation, how to decide if it’s right for you, and how to use that time intentionally. From navigating uncertainty to building professional skills, we discuss the realities, benefits, and considerations of stepping off the traditional path.Whether you’re thinking about law school, another professional program, or still exploring your options, this conversation will help you reflect on what makes the most sense for your goals.Topics Covered:

• When a gap year might be beneficial
• How to make your gap year meaningful
• Gaining professional skills before grad school
• Networking and leveraging faculty connections
• Navigating post-grad uncertainty

If you’re planning after graduation and unsure of your next move, this episode is for you.Follow Thomas Azari on LinkedIn  / thomas-azari-75158a155  Subscribe for more career insights and student stories.

In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, we sit down with Christine Routzahn, Director of the UMBC Career Center, to talk about career confidence, applied learning, and how students can make the most of their college experience. From internships and experiential learning, to navigating uncertainty and new technologies, this conversation highlights how UMBC supports students and alumni at every stage of their career journey.Christine also shares personal insights as a first-generation college graduate and offers advice for students who may be unsure of their path, helping them see the possibilities ahead and build a career story that reflects who they are and where they want to go.Whether you are a current student, alum, or exploring your next step, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement for preparing for life after graduation.🔗 Learn more about UMBC Career Center resources:UMBC Career Center: https://careers.umbc.eduMTIP: https://mtip.umbc.edu2025 / 2026 Career Guide: https://careers2.umbc.edu/tools/guide...Timestamps:0:00 - Opening Clip (Finding Your Place)0:31 - Welcome Back Retrievers!3:08 - Career Controversy18:44 - Where Do You See Yourself?28:50 - Getting a Foot In the Door35:00 - Parting Words

What are employers really looking for on a resume—and how do recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) actually read it? In this episode, career coaches and trained peer reviewers edit three real resumes live, sharing insider feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and how to stand out in today’s competitive job market. Get an inside look at how human reviewers and ATS systems evaluate resumes, plus actionable tips you can apply immediately. We cover:The top skills employers are looking forWhat to include (and remove) from your resumeResume summaries vs. objectives—and when to use eachHow to pivot career paths and frame transferable skillsHow to talk about and keep associate degrees on your resumeSpace-saving and formatting strategiesWriting strong bullet points: what you did, how you did it, and the resultPrioritizing experiences so your resume gets noticedWhether you’re applying for internships, your first job, or making a career change, this episode gives you real-time resume edits, recruiter insight, and practical advice to help your application rise to the top.👉 Watch to see the edits in real time and listen for expert context you won’t find in generic resume guides.Check out UMBC Career Guide for More Advice and Resume Help : https://careers2.umbc.edu/tools/guide.pdf#resumereview #careeradvice #resumetips #atsreview #skills #collegeadvice #careerpivot #associatedegreeresume #jobsearch #applicationwriting

Thinking about grad school but not sure if it’s the right move? In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, we break down what employers value today, how to decide if grad school is worth the investment, and what steps you should take—whether you’re planning a gap year, building your program list, or looking for research opportunities with faculty.

We cover everything from funding and recommendation letters to networking, CVs vs. résumés, and crafting a strong personal statement.

⏱ Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro: Is grad school worth it today?02:10 – Skills vs. Degrees: What employers care about most04:45 – Should YOU go to grad school? Key questions07:30 – Do big-name programs matter?10:55 – Gap years: Pros, cons & how to plan one13:20 – Finding research opportunities on campus16:40 – Navigating recommendation letters20:05 – Building your grad school list (deadlines, requirements, funding)23:40 – CVs vs. Résumés26:12 – Finding mentors & building your support system28:45 – Networking beyond job searching31:00 – Best career & grad school planning tools34:15 – Using campus and industry resources40:28 – Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose + Final Thoughts

🔗 Resources MentionedWhat Can I Do With This Major?Occupational Outlook HandbookSteppingblocksRetrievers ConnectFaculty Research DatabasesGrad School Funding ToolsUMBC Graduate FundingUMBC Career Guide

💬 Join the Conversation
Thinking about grad school? Drop your questions—we might feature them in a future episode!

#careeradvice #gradschooltips #careerpodcast #collegeadvice #graduateschool @umbc @umbcdivisionofstudentaffairs @umbcDPS

In this episode of UMBC Careers Unleashed, host Isaiah sits down with UMBC student Anna Kim, who is designing her own path through an individualized major focused on Decision Neuroscience. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a college journey around your passions, this conversation is for you.

Anna opens up about discovering her interests through real-world experiences, navigating campus life as a commuter, and building confidence through clubs, community, and on-campus jobs. She shares how involvement in organizations like Mock Trial helped shape her identity, skill set, and long-term career goals.

Whether you’re an INDS student, undecided on your major, or figuring out how your experiences connect to future opportunities, this episode is filled with practical insights and Retriever-tested advice to help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

Follow Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kim-538b2a176

Individualized Studies Major: https://inds.umbc.edu/

Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome Retrievers!1:18 – Career Controversy5:00 – Working on Campus11:35 – Why Neuroscience?27:56 – Bye Retrievers!

Keywords:#UMBC #IndividualizedMajor #DecisionNeuroscience #CollegePath #StudentLife #CampusJobs #MockTrial #CollegeStudentTips #DiscoverYourPassion #CareerAdvice @umbc​