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​

🎓 College feeling overwhelming? Learn how to take control of your time, connect with the right advisors, and plan your academic path with confidence. In this episode, Dr. Ransome and host Stephanie share Retriever-tested tips and tools for better time management, organization, and balance — so you can thrive in college and beyond.

🐾 You’ll learn:
• How to manage your time and schedule effectively• The power of connecting with academic advisors• Ways to plan your courses and career path with clarity• Tools to stay organized and stress-free• Tips for balancing academics, work, and personal life

🎧 Perfect for students looking for real college advice, academic success strategies, and productivity tips that actually work.

🔗 Helpful Links:
Academic Advising Appointments
UMBC Student Resources
Tools for Time Management & Organization

🕒 Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome Retrievers!1:15 – Time Management Tips That Actually Work5:40 – Making the Most of Your Advisors10:22 – Planning Your Academic Path15:50 – Staying Organized & Reducing Stress21:10 – Balancing Life, Work, and Classes27:05 – Key Tools & Resources for College Success32:00 – Final Advice

#collegeadvice #studentlife #academicplanning #timemanagement #collegepodcast #UMBC #collegeproductivity

What happens when you mix finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership? You get Shriya Menon, a rising UMBC entrepreneur breaking barriers and redefining student success.

In this episode, Shriya shares how she:

Revived UMBC’s Entrepreneurship Club and Investing & Trading Club, transforming them into thriving student communities.

Learned key lessons about business and innovation from her family’s entrepreneurial roots.

Discovered the importance of delegation, collaboration, and time management through multiple leadership roles.

Turned her passion for finance and entrepreneurship into an upcoming Goldman Sachs internship.

Uses manifestation, networking, and strategic planning to create opportunities instead of waiting for them.

💡 Her biggest message? Don’t wait for opportunities — create them.

Connect with Shriya: LinkedIn and UMBCcareers: LinkedIn and Instagram

Learn more about the UMBC Entrepreneurship Club: entrepreneurship.umbc.edu

🎧 Tune in for inspiration, practical advice, and a reminder that leadership starts with initiative.

#careeradvice #studentsuccess #entrepreneurship #leadership #finance #womeninbusiness #umbc #careersunleashed

We’ve all heard the phrase “starving artist.” But UMBC alumna Gaby Echiverri proves it’s a myth. From considering law school to pursuing violin full-time, Gaby shares how she built a meaningful career in music—backed by UMBC’s supportive faculty, global study abroad experiences, and a master’s fellowship in performance.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to manage nerves and perform with confidence

• Why the “starving artist” stereotype is outdated

• The power of UMBC’s music community and alumni network

• Ways to combine creativity, communication, and advocacy into a career

• How artists can use their voice to uplift underrepresented composers

Perfect for students, creatives, and anyone curious about blending passion with purpose.

What happens when you mix computer science with entrepreneurship? For Adam Baji, VP of UMBC Entrepreneurs and Computer Science major, it means building skills, launching ideas, and shaping a more well-rounded future.In this episode, Adam shares:AI controversies: the challenge of digital content authenticity and what the AI–cybersecurity intersection means for the futureAdam’s interest in the intersection of AI and CybersecurityBuilding Courselens, a platform designed to help students make smarter class-registration decisions- winning investment money and partnering with UMBC.How entrepreneurship shaped his skill set beyond CS and made him a more versatile problem-solverCareer crossroads: choosing between opportunities at companies like Microsoft or starting your own ventureWhy “doing it scared” is a strength, not a setbackThe truth behind Rate My Professor and the power of your real networkStories from internships with the Ravens, research lab, and leading student organizations________________________________Adam leaves listeners with one big takeaway: immerse yourself in the spaces you’re in — that’s where growth happens.Follow Adam on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambaji/ and @Courselens on InstagramProveIt Competition Information: https://sga.umbc.edu/proveit/UMBC Entrepreneurs: https://entrepreneurship.umbc.edu/entrepreneurs-club-at-umbc/ @umbc  #careeradvice #studentsuccess #entrepreneurship #startup #ai #aiatwork

From whether your major defines your career path, to if unpaid internships are worth it, to the idea of needing “the perfect resume,” this episode is packed with real talk, insights, and practical advice to help you feel more confident about your career journey.Our very own from UMBC Career Center, Michelle and Marykate, are on the podcast today to help debunk some of the biggest career myths students face and drop some Retriever knowledge. 🐾 What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why your major doesn’t have to define your career path • The real value of unpaid internships (and how to make the most of them) • Whether you need a big-name internship to land a job • The truth about the so-called “perfect resume” • How to showcase experience as a student (yes, you have some!) • Why it’s okay if you don’t know your lifelong career path yet🔗 Helpful Links:- Career Advising Appointments: https://careers.umbc.edu/appointments/- Handshake (Jobs & Internships): https://umbc.joinhandshake.com/- UMBC Internships: https://careers.umbc.edu/employers/internships- Tools for Exploring Majors: https://careers.umbc.edu/tools/tools-for-exploring-majors-careersTimestamps:0:00 - Welcome Retrievers!01:43 - Myth 1: Your Major Must Align w/ Your Career Path05:21 - Myth 2: Are Unpaid Internships Worth It?09:03 - Myth 3: You Need to Work For a Reputable Company13:44 - Myth 4: I Have No Experience Because I Am a Student18:49 - Myth 5: The Perfect Resume27:15 - Myth 6: Needing Industry Experience for an Industry Job32:57 - Myth 7: All Internships Should Lead to Full-Time Employment 39:25 - Conclusion & Thank You!Whether you’re just starting out or planning your next big move, this episode will help you think outside the box and bust the myths holding you back.#careeradvice #careerpodcast #college #collegeadvice #internship #collegepodcast

Think recruiters don’t actually read your application? Think again. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how recruiters really review resumes, what makes you stand out at a career fair, and the key traits hiring managers actually look for beyond your GPA.

Our guest, Ashley Bell, Campus Relationship Manager & Early Talent Senior Recruiter at T. Rowe Price, brings a decade of recruiting expertise and drops gems every student should hear—from resume clarity to navigating rejection.

👉 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How recruiters scan a resume in seven seconds (and what they notice first).

• The truth about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—and why writing for a human matters most.

• Can recruiters really remember you from a career fair? The surprising answer.

• Ashley’s favorite part of her job and what she and her colleagues value most in candidates.

• Resume tips: crafting powerful bullets, writing effective summaries, and keeping clarity front and center.

• Why being coachable, adaptable, and aligned with company values is more important than being “perfect.”

• What NOT to do when following up with recruiters—and smart alternatives that actually work.

• How to turn rejection into your career advantage.

• Ashley’s sage advice on interviews, networking, and career growth.
  

🔗 Helpful Links:

• Retrievers Connect: https://careers.umbc.edu/students/network/retrieversconnect/

• Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/

• T. Rowe Price Internship Program: https://www.troweprice.com/corporate/us/en/careers/students-and-recent-graduates/internships-us.html

  Study: How recruiters scan resumes: The Ladders https://www.theladders.com/static/images/basicSite/pdfs/TheLadders-EyeTracking-StudyC2.pdf

Thanks for tuning in to Season 1 of UMBC Careers Unleashed!As we get ready to launch Season 2 in August, we're excited to share this collection of top career tips, inspiring student and alumni stories, and expert advice from our first season.Whether you're a student exploring majors, a recent graduate navigating the job market, or a professional planning your next move, these episodes are packed with actionable insights to help you build your resume, grow your network, prepare for applications and interviews, and level up your career.This podcast was created to support you at every stage of your career development wherever you are—on campus, during summer break, on your commute, at work 😉. So take some time this summer to rewatch, share, and apply what you learn. Your future career starts now.Follow us for more career guidance, internship insights, and job search strategies—Season 2 is just around the corner!#careeradvice #careerdevelopment #careerguidance #umbc  @umbc   @umbcDPS   @umbcdivisionofstudentaffairs  #resumetips #interviewtips #podcast #careerpodcast #experientiallearning #studyabroad #tips #careerreadiness #highereducation