As we approach the end of spring semester, I’m writing to let you know about a unique on-campus internship opportunity. This summer the Transform Maryland initiative will support two student teams for 10 weeks as they work on real-world challenges while providing the University with a student perspective on various administrative and academic services. We need your support to market this program to students.
Transform Maryland emerged from a partnership between the Division of IT, the Administrative Modernization Program and the University Career Center. The initiative was designed to develop students’ core professional skills and introduce consulting competencies in a team setting. Each team will tackle a campus client-sponsored project that requires problem scoping, interviewing stakeholders, gathering data and best practices, and developing and delivering recommendations. At the end of the summer, teams will present their recommendations to their client and a panel of volunteer judges.
Transform Maryland was created specifically to engage students from diverse backgrounds. National studies indicate disparities for women, first generation students and students of color in terms of access to paid internships. The pilot of this program last summer resulted in over 90% of the students demonstrating improvement in two of the eight NACE career-ready competencies, and over 70% improving in four. Additionally, all of the students recommended the University offer this opportunity every year. We think this experience could significantly boost the prospects for obtaining a second highly competitive internship prior to graduation.
The 20-hour/week virtual experience includes a $3,600 stipend for each student. Teams will be led by full-time UMD staff volunteers responsible for guiding the team through the project, teaching consultation principles and techniques, and coaching the students through process stages.
Please alert students you believe would benefit from this experience and encourage them to apply at go.umd.edu/applyTMD. A flyer and overview of the program are also attached for you to distribute. The opportunity is open to all majors. If you have questions about the initiative, I would be happy to discuss the details. Applications are due by May 28, and the program will commence on June 14. Students need not be in residence to participate.
Thanks for your assistance.
Kelley
Kelley Bishop
he/him/his
University Career Center & The President’s Promise
Director
Campus Address: 3100 Hornbake Library, South Wing
Street Address: 4130 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742
301.314.7236 | kbishop1@umd.edu | www.
@UMDCareerCenter | www.careers.umd.edu
DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
