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Northeastern Maryland Technology Council
Community Resources

College

There are ways to help cover college costs and plan one's studies around maintaining a job, which will make balancing work and school less challenging. Funding options for working students are available, including college loans, grants, and scholarships for full-time working students. Each type of funding has different requirements, and the benefits will fit with individual student needs differently. But, all these funding sources can help alleviate the immediate financial burden of attending college and the stress of balancing school and work. Along with funding options, students working and studying full-time have other steps to take to prepare for the college experience and avoid future stress.

https://study.com/resources/working-studying-full-time.html#0452

Why Work and Study?

https://study.com/resources/working-college-students#0452

For most students working through college, work is a necessity. Getting a college education has a lot of upsides, so working through school is worth it despite the workload of college employment. There are some important advantages to working through college that can help set students up for future success; these include:

    • Professional Experience: Many jobs look not just for education but also work experience when interviewing potential candidates. If you have been working in your field (or indeed working at all) throughout your education, you are likely to be more appealing to potential employers.

    • Time Management: Virtually nothing will teach you time management planning like working and studying at the same time. Understanding how to manage your time effectively even with a very busy schedule is something that can keep you in good standing for the rest of your life.

    • Less Debt: Working may help you graduate with less college debt. This is essential for many; more than half of all American college students now graduate with debt, which averaged $37,500 per student in 2020. Together, all of this debt adds up to a whopping $1.6 trillion that American students collectively owe. Working can help alleviate that financial burden and can make you less reliant on student loans to make it through your education.

  • Future Flexibility: Graduating with less debt and professional experience often offers students more flexibility in their future employment and life prospects and can be an all-around positive experience. You might also find, upon graduating, that you have a lot more free time now that you no longer have your studies to worry about.

Recent Harvard research has shown that people who set goals are ten times more likely to succeed than those who don’t. This comes as no surprise, considering all the benefits of goal setting, such as time optimization, productivity, and the ability to seize the moment.

Goal setting might be especially beneficial for students who have trouble juggling their studies and personal lives. This powerful tool can provide them with a clear path to success and help them make every day count. As for the goals of this article, we plan to discuss the most effective goal-setting techniques and how to integrate them into your routine.

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If you receive a financial aid offer letter that's less than what you need to attend your target college, you may be able to appeal your offer. To do this, most colleges require an appeal letter — a note written to a financial aid administrator asking them to reconsider their decision regarding your aid amount.

 

Crafting an excellent financial aid appeal is your best chance of getting the money you need to attend your target school. While successful financial aid appeals are far from a sure thing, the worst that can happen is the administrator of financial assistance says no.

 

Before you write an appeal, you'll need to determine whether your circumstances merit an appeal letter. While financial aid administrators may update certain data elements that can alter financial aid decisions, they won't change your aid amount for just any reason. In reality, only a few situations warrant an appeal.

 

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Each year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, opens Oct. 1.

 

Students seeking federal financial aid have until June 30 — around a year and a half after the FAFSA open date — to submit the form. Those who fail to file before the end of June will be ineligible to receive federal, state, and institutional aid for that FAFSA's academic year.

 

In addition to the federal deadline, students should be aware of state and institutional deadlines. States and schools run their own financial aid programs, which usually have deadlines much earlier than June 30.

 

With multiple deadlines to keep track of, navigating the U.S. financial aid system can be challenging. This guide will cover everything you need to know to submit the FAFSA on time and increase your chances of receiving aid for the 2023-24 school year.

 

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Many students face challenging situations that make them consider dropping out of college. Perhaps they think college is too complicated, too costly, too long, or too exhausting. And some want to feel more excited about what they’re studying.

Regardless of the reasons, giving up on college is a very drastic measure. Here are some of the significant reasons why education is worth pursuing and why dropping out of college is a bad idea:

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If thinking about not doing these things makes you uncomfortable, you may be experiencing FOMO: the fear of missing out. FOMO can cause significant stress, especially if a person is prone to anxiety or depression.

Want to know how to deal with it? You’re in luck!

In this article, our custom-writing experts will explain how to understand if you have FOMO and teach you how to get rid of it.

Study.com has created a comprehensive guide for students to provide them with critical information about how the can choose a college major that aligns with their interests and career goals. A Guide to Choosing Your College Major was designed to helps students understand the process and different approaches for picking a field of study. This guide offers in-depth information in several areas, including:

  • A detailed explanation of many available majors, including in the humanities, STEM, and health care
  • Guidance on how to declare a major, choose a minor, and even change majors
  • A list of majors likely to lead to lucrative careers
  • How students can choose a major based on their goals, personality, and interests

Being Productive at Home: 25 Tips for Students & Remote Workers

The COVID pandemic will eventually pass away, but the enormous societal changes that it has caused are around to stay. We have learned to work and study from home, and we have appreciated the benefits of such a lifestyle.

But positive changes always come with challenges.

Self-motivation, discipline, deadlines, and lack of communication are some of the forces that undermine our productivity at home.

This article is a comprehensive guide to working efficiently and happily from home. You’ll learn how to:

  • stay focused
  • structure your workflow
  • arrange your space
  • find your work-life balance
  • motivate yourself

These five areas come with 25 pieces of priceless advice. Which ones will work for you?

A Guide for Women in Technology

Among other topics this guide covers:

  • Why women have historically been underrepresented in the technology field
  • What can be done to create gender parity in the technology industry
  • Specific programs for women interested in pursuing a career in technology
  • How things are changing for women in technology, especially for the earning power of millennials
  • Scholarship opportunities for women pursuing studies in technology

Study.com recently developed a guide to help high school students start planning for college to know what to expect and what steps they need to take. The College Planning Guide for High School Students was designed to steer high school students through the often stressful and exciting college application process. This guide offers in-depth information in several areas, including:

  • A year-by-year breakdown of tasks high school students should complete
  • Recommendations on how students can decide upon an academic major
  • An explanation of the different types of institutions of higher education available
  • An introduction to securing financial aid or scholarships
  • Pointers on how to prepare for standardized tests 

Students may also be interested in the Guide to Career Planning for High School Students, designed to help explore career options.

The resources for women in STEM and construction are disproportionately low. Even though construction leverages technology, engineering, and mathematics, it is one of the most underrepresented STEM fields. My team just published a new guide for women in construction. Resources for Women in Construction discusses the gender gap, skilled trades, educational resources, certifications, associations, conferences, grants, and scholarships.

We feel like there are not enough resources for women in STEM and construction. Including the guide will support diversity and improve representation for women in STEM. CLICK HERE  (houzz.com/pro-learn/blog/resources-for-women-in-construction)

Winning a College Scholarship: Ultimate Guide + Infographic

Tells about different types of awards, shows where to start the scholarship search, and offers many useful resources to help along the way:

https://ivypanda.com/blog/winning-a-college-scholarship/

Emerging Tech Cities for New College Grads.

This guide discusses five rising tech hubs that have not yet hit the mainstream for tech. These cities have developing tech sectors that offer low costs of living and strong salaries.

https://www.computerscience.org/resources/tech-cities-for-recent-grads/ 

 

Affordable College
Here’s everything you never wanted to know about affording college without loans.

https://joywallet.com/article/how-to-make-college-affordable-without-student-loans/

 

Best College Cities in The World
A recent review out of the UK analyzed college towns and university cities around the world to provide a definitive ranking of the best ones for students. Looking at affordability, social settings. inclusivity and nightlife, they found the best of the best. (And not one of them includes New York City!)

Here's a look at the world's best cities for students.
https://joywallet.com/article/best-cities-for-students/

Why STEM?

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are integrated into many industries and some of the fastest growing careers in the country. STEM creates critical thinkers, problem solvers, and pioneering minds which are the driving force behind innovation and a thriving economy. Many young adults are inspired to pursue STEM because of the many cool and exciting job opportunities available in these fields.

Highlighted Career

Molecular Biologist

There’s a range of complexity in life on earth. You can see an amoeba, a complete organism that consists of just one cell, under a microscope. Or you can look in a mirror and see a human being, made up of trillions of cells working together.

In both the amoeba and the human, the cell is a complex, functioning structure, with parts and chemical processes that define what the organism is and does. In molecular biology, you’ll study the cell and gain an understanding of how it works.” (Collegeboard.org)

For more information on what a career as a Molecular Biologist is like, check out the videos below and the following link for an interview with Amy Eggers, laboratory manager at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology: STEM-Works.com.

READY FOR THE FUTURE…

You’re almost there. You have studied hard, set your goals, and you know what you want out of life.

The programs in this section will help you achieve your goals while providing you with opportunities to meet leaders in STEM fields, network with your peers and take another critical step on your road to success.

EXPLORING CAREERS AND MAJORS

There are many exciting careers in STEM, and you can learn more about your options by visiting sites like Collegeboard.org, MyPlan.com, and STEM-works.com. Websites like Collegeboard.org provide career overviews as well as advice on college majors that relate to particular careers. Another great resource are the many STEM professionals in the community. Chat with people you know in STEM fields to find out more about what they do and what classes they took in school. Take as many classes as you can in high school and college to determine which industry appeals most to you.

CHOOSING A SCHOOL

Once you have explored STEM careers and college majors, you are ready to start deciding on the degree type you want to pursue, and where to get it. There are STEM careers available for all educational levels, and the colleges and universities in the northeastern Maryland region offer programs for certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. All of these degree types are meant to prepare you for a successful career in STEM.

GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS

College professors are a great resource while in school and even after graduation. Unfortunately for students, many professors deal with hundreds of students a semester, and it is nearly impossible for them to get to know each student individually. A student must make an effort in order to get on their professor’s radar. This can be done by simply dropping them an email containing your name, your academic or career interests, and informing them that you are looking forward to their class. Additionally, by meeting with your professor during his or her office hours to ask questions about class material, homework, etc., you will have a better chance of him or her remembering you.

Having your professors know who you are on an individual basis will be important if you decide to ask him or her for a letter of recommendation, something essential for many scholarship and graduate programs.

Getting to know your professors goes beyond the occasional need for a letter of recommendation. Your professors have knowledge about careers, research opportunities, and how to succeed in college. He or she just might be your stepping stone into the research position you always wanted or even your dream job.

GET INVOLVED

College is a time for experiencing things beyond the classroom as well as a time for learning leadership and networking skills. Colleges and universities have a plethora of clubs and extra curricular activities to participate in. Joining these groups allow you to hone your socializing skills, build lasting relationships and get hands-on experience. Taking a leadership role in an extra curricular group can also expand your future opportunities and look great on your resume.

Additionally, almost all majors have research opportunities. Check a college’s website or contact their career center to find out what types of research are happening on and off campus.

Internships, co-ops and summer programs are also a great way to get hands-on experience that will get you ahead in any STEM career. Check out our links above for more information on internships & co-ops in the Northeastern Maryland area.

TAKE A VARIETY OF COLLEGE COURSES

Taking courses in a variety of subjects will help you explore your interests and introduce you to new topics. Employers like to see candidates that are well rounded, and many STEM careers benefit from individuals who have interdisciplinary backgrounds. All it takes is looking outside your major for classes that will expand your knowledge.

www.internships.com/science

www.internships.com/engineering

www.internships.com/technology
Click on the above link for additional internship listings and advice on finding the right internship for your interests and career goals.

The SMART Scholarship – The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in STEM disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.
CMHSEA – The Central Maryland Homeland Security Educational Alliance offers a variety of internships and scholarships. Check out their website for a complete listing.
Eden Mill Nature Center – High School Summer Interns are expected to actively participate alongside our naturalist in the development, planning, and teaching of summer camp programs. High School Summer Interns will also be expected to greet visitors and answer questions, help care for our resident critters, create one nature center display, and various other duties throughout the summer.
Science and Engineering Apprentice Program, College Qualified Leaders (SEAP-CQL) – This program, sponsored by George Washington University and the Department of Defense, offers interested undergraduates and graduates the opportunity for a research internship in a DoD lab. Internships are available year round or for the summer only. There is no deadline for applying and applications are accepted all year.
Research Internship in Science and Engineering (RISE) – This program will excite and prepare entering freshmen women, who then move on to an extended research internship involving close contact with successful women scientists and engineers. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applied Predictive Technologies (APT)- – In this program, the marketing co-op/intern will play a substantial role across APT’s marketing and sales efforts. You will learn how APT develops its marketing strategy, optimizing investments in advertising, event marketing, and targeted outreach efforts. Working closely with APT’s sales team, you will gain experience and build knowledge of how to market and sell products to business executives at some of the world’s most successful companies.
URS Corporation Intern Architect – This is a summer intern position for students currently enrolled in a college level architectural program in their second or third year. The intern will be responsible for producing drawings using computer aided drafting software (CAD) and preparing graphical drawing and rendering displays for presentations.
SAIC Internship Program – For this program, you can participate as an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral candidate. Gain valuable experience while working on a variety of initiatives, from engineering, scientific, and technical programs to commercial projects around the world.
Rockwell Collins, Control Technologies, Inc. (RCCT) – Rockwell Collins offers students several options including internships and co-ops. The co-op program gives students hands-on experience in the work environment and culture of an innovative company while taking a temporary break from ongoing university courses. These opportunities enable students to participate in meaningful and developmental work assignments while pursuing an A.S., B.S., M.S. or PhD degree. Additionally, Rockwell Collins welcomes numerous interns throughout their company and geographic locations. A summer engineering project is also available for college students.
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) -A program where military labs run a 1-4 week in-depth hands-on STEM experience for middle and high school students. The purpose of GEMS is to provide introductory experiences in STEM and spark interest among students. Student participants receive a small stipend to offset the costs of participating in GEMS. Open to students grades 7 to 11.
High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP)/Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) – A commuter program for high school juniors and seniors and undergraduate students who demonstrate an interest in STEM to work as an apprentice in an Army funded university research laboratory.
Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP) – A program where military labs can recruit, select, and hire high school students to spend the summer (and breaks during the school year, if desired) doing research under the guidance of a military scientist or engineer. The purpose of SEAP is to provide a foundational research experience for students that will encourage them to continue doing research when they go into college. Students are paid a stipend for participation in the program.
REAP – An 8 week summer internship made available to 120 high school apprentices each in university research laboratories. Available to students aged 16 and older. Selected students are awarded a stipend.
UNITE – A four-to -six week, pre-collegiate summer program for talented high school students from groups historically under-represented and under-served in STEM.

Below is an alphabetical list of colleges and universities in the Northeastern Maryland area which offer programs in STEM. Click on the institution’s name for a list of the STEM related certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctoral degrees offered. Please check for their latest programs

Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: http://www.bccc.edu/baltimoreccc

Cecil College
North East, Maryland
Website: http://www.cecil.edu

Community College of Baltimore County
Campus locations in Dundalk, Essex and Catonsville
Website: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/

Coppin State University
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.coppin.edu

Goucher College
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.goucher.edu

Harford Community College
Bel Air, Maryland
Webiste: www.harford.edu

Higher Education and Conference Center @ the HEAT Center
Aberdeen, Maryland
Website: http://www.heatcentermaryland.com/

ITT Technical Institute
Owings Mills, Maryland
Website: http://www.itt-tech.edu/campus/school.cfm?lloc_num=17

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: http://www.jhu.edu/

Loyola University
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.loyola.edu

Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.morgan.edu

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: http://www.ndm.edu/

Stevenson University
Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland
Website: www.stevenson.edu/

TESST College Of Technology
Campus locations in Towson and Baltimore
Website: http://www.tesst.com/Pages/MicroPortalHome.aspx

Towson University
Towson, Maryland
Website: www.towson.edu/

University of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.ubalt.edu

University of Maryland-Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: http://www.umaryland.edu/

University of Maryland- Baltimore County
Baltimore, Maryland
Website: www.umbc.edu/

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Northeastern Maryland Technology Council
2021 Pulaski Hwy, Suite D, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
410-638-4466

John W. Casner, Executive Director
john.casner@nmtc.org

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