We recognize the anxiety and uncertainty that some of our students may be facing as they navigate a rapidly changing job market. The unexpected disruptions have impacted many of our students and alumni. Please know that we’ve been through tough job markets before, and our Terps have always continued to be successful in their careers and other post-graduation pursuits. We know you will too.
The University Career Center is here to support and guide students through these challenges. We are committed to providing resources and assistance to help them adapt and explore new opportunities. As we navigate these times, it's important to remain hopeful and proactive.
We've designed this page to support you with a curated list of job/internship search strategies, networking opportunities, and career resources.
Key Career Strategies for Students
1. Be Flexible and Open to New Possibilities
- Broaden Your Job Search
- Embrace Temporary, Freelance, and Gig Work
2. Continue to Develop Your Skills
- Online Courses and Certifications
- UMD LinkedIn Learning
- Focus on Soft Skills Development
3. Network, Network, Network
- Leverage LinkedIn & Handshake
- Connect with Alumni
- Conduct Informational Interviews
- Attend Career Events
4. Tailor Your Applications
- Customize Resumes and Cover Letters
- Highlight Transferable Skills
5. Explore Further Education and Other Options
- Consider Graduate Programs
- Look into Internships and Fellowships
- Consider Volunteering
6. Stay Informed and Positive
- Monitor Industry Trends
- Remain Optimistic
7. Seek Guidance and Support
- Utilize Career Services
- Seek Out Mentors
8. Be Patient and Persistent
- Prepare for Setbacks
- Continue Applying
Career Resources & Events
Handshake Job & Internship Boards
Find jobs and internships tailored to UMD undergraduates, graduate students & UMD Alumni. Login to Handshake to see:
Workshops
We regularly facilitate workshops designed to provide students a jumpstart on basic career development topics: Searching for an internship or job, how to network, preparing for an interview, and more. Log in to your Handshake account to sign up.
Upcoming Career Center Events
Career Development Tools
Boost Your Skills & Career Readiness
Resources include (each with a brief description & link):
- LinkedIn Learning - Develop new skills to make you more marketable to the types of employers you are seeking out. (current students only)
- PathwayU - platform that acts as a career compass that guides you in discovering education and career pathways that fit your unique interests and values.
- GoinGlobal - a premier database service providing students and professionals the resources to find career opportunities domestically and internationally.
- Terrapins Connect - UMD Alumni Networking Database, Terrapins Connect, has discussion groups, job postings, and other networking tools to conduct informational interviews with alums.
- Big Interview - Practice your virtual interviewing skills with industry-specific interview questions or popular questions that have a tendency to make an appearance during an interview.
- Mentra - Job search platform specially designed for neurodivergent job seekers with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences. Access hundreds of jobs with one application. Attend office hours for help completing your candidate profile.
- Focus 2 - helps UMD students and alumni identify their natural strengths by taking personality and work preference self assessments. Register and create a free account. Your access code is "goterps".
- What can I do with this Major? - Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, What Can I Do With This Major? will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
- O*NET - a free online database that contains hundreds of job definitions to help students and job seekers understand today's world of work in the United States.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - published by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, OOH is a career resource that provides information about hundreds of jobs in the United States.
Additional Support for Students & Alumni
Additional Campus Career Services
The University Career Center serves all UMD students and has embedded many career resources within the schools/colleges. In addition, there are school-specific career services that offer more tailored support:
- Engineering Career Services
- Smith School of Business, Office of Career Services
- Career Connections - School of Public Policy
- BSOS, Feller Center for Career Planning & Academic Advising
- Merrill College of Journalism, Internship support
- Professional & Career Development - Graduate School (Doctoral and Post-doc support)
Alumni Career Resources
Maryland Employment Resources response.maryland.gov
- Maryland.gov: Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions
- Maryland Department of Labor
- Prince George's County, Maryland: Resources for Federal Workers
- Montgomery County, Maryland: Resources for Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Government Actions
- WorkSource Montgomery
- Anne Arundel County, Maryland: Federal Employee Assistance
- Expanded Howard County Resources
District of Columbia Employment Resources
Virginia Employment Resources
- VirginiaHasJobs.com: Resources for Impacted Federal Workers
- Virginia Employment Commission
- Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth: Resources for Impacted Federal Workers
- Arlington County, Virginia: Assistance for Federal Employees and Contractors
- Fairfax County, Virginia: Help for Residents Affected by Federal Workplace Actions
- Prince William County, Virginia: Resources for Residents Impacted by Federal Workforce
- Get Hired in NOVA - A weekly webinar will be hosted to connect job seekers with the resources they need to find a job in Northern Virginia