All sessions are held in ITE 459 at noon, as listed on the schedule
Register for each event and view speaker lists and bios below
Lunch is provided for registered attendees
Recordings of previous sessions are in the archive section
Powering Missions with Technology: Careers in Nonprofit IT
Monday, February 16, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the Careers in Nonprofit IT event
Interested in using your tech skills to make a real difference? Join us for a career talk on nonprofit technology and social impact with Rubin Singh, Founder and CEO of OneTenth Consulting and adjunct faculty in the Department of Information Systems.
Learn how platforms like Salesforce and other digital systems power nonprofit missions, from fundraising and service delivery to advocacy and community engagement. Rubin will share insights into careers in nonprofit IT, equity-driven system design, and how technologists can build accessible, inclusive, and mission-centered solutions. Whether you’re exploring purpose-driven work or looking to apply your IS skills beyond the private sector, this session offers practical guidance and real-world perspective.
Speaker bio:
Rubin Singh is the Founder and CEO of OneTenth Consulting, a Salesforce Consulting practice, that works exclusively with nonprofits for their strategy, implementation, and managed services needs. Rubin is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the CRM space and over 15 years in the nonprofit sector. Throughout his career, Rubin has pursued his passion for social impact by empowering and enabling nonprofits through various roles in technology, strategy, and organizational management. Rubin is a certified DEI practitioner and serves on the Board of Directors of NTEN, a nonprofit that supports missions and movements through the skillful and equitable use of technology. Additionally, Rubin shares his insights as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Beyond his professional engagements, Rubin is deeply involved in advocacy for equity, actively participating in initiatives dedicated to crafting and implementing inclusive systems. At the core of his philosophy is the conviction that technology should be accessible, equitable, and harnessed for the advancement of humanity.
Lunch provided for those that RSVP
Navigating Health IT Careers: From Academia to Federal Leadership
Wednesday, February 25, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the Health IT event
Wondering where your degree can take you? Join us for a conversation with Kamran Fayyaz, Chief Section Officer at the National Institutes of Health and adjunct faculty in our own IS department. Learn how to leverage your coursework and technical skills to break into the fast-growing field of health IT, discover what it’s like to work at one of the nation’s premier federal health agencies, and get practical advice on internships, certifications, and career moves that can set you apart. Whether you’re interested in healthcare or just exploring your options, hear firsthand how your new skills translate into meaningful work at the intersection of technology and public health.
More speakers will be added at a later date. Check back soon!
Careers in University IT: Pathways, Projects, and Professional Growth
Wednesday, March 4, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the University IT event
Curious about what it’s like to build a career in university IT? Join us for a panel discussion with Jeff Ostrow ’94, Director of Training and Development at Johns Hopkins University, UMBC alum and adjunct professor, as he shares insights from more than 30 years working at the intersection of technology, education, and leadership.
Jeff will discuss career paths in higher education IT, the role of project management, training, and leadership in large institutions, and how students can prepare now for roles that support learning, research, and healthcare at scale. Whether you’re interested in systems, cybersecurity, project management, health IT, or instructional technology, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at impactful and often overlooked technology careers.
Speaker bio:
Jeff Ostrow, MSIT PMP is currently a Director of Training and Development for Johns Hopkins University where he oversees a team of education professionals. Jeff’s previous experience includes over 30 years of education and information technology experience as well as leadership roles for several organizations, most notably, the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Jeff is currently a Maryland HIMSS board member and co-chair for the Maryland HIMSS Professional Development Committee.
Jeff received his Bachelors of Science degree in Information’s Systems Management from UMBC and his Masters of Science in Instructional Technology from Towson University. Jeff is a Project Management Professional as he earned his PMP certification in 2010. Jeff is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Stevenson University and CCBC where he teaches IT, Project Management and Health IT courses.
Human + AI: Collaboration, Productivity, and the Future of Work
Thursday, March 12, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the Human + AI event
Join us for a timely and engaging panel discussion focused on artificial intelligence in the workplace and how organizations are using AI as a powerful tool to support people, not replace them. This conversation will explore how AI is shaping roles across corporate, product, engineering, and enterprise environments, and what that means for students and early-career professionals entering today’s workforce.
Our panel brings together industry leaders and UMBC alumni working across large corporations, product management, and applied AI development. Speakers will share how AI is currently used in real-world settings, from improving workflows and decision-making to enhancing productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Panelists will also discuss how professionals at different career stages learn to work alongside AI, adapt their skill sets, and leverage these tools responsibly and effectively.
Whether you are curious about AI’s role in business systems, product development, enterprise platforms, or everyday workplace tasks, this discussion will offer practical insight into how AI is being applied today and what skills matter most for success in an AI-enabled workplace.
Speakers include:
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Srinija Amisthapur, Lead ServiceNow Engineer, Assurant
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Yashwanth Alluri, Assurant and recent Georgia State University graduate
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Anurag “Andy” Varshney, M.S. ’24, engineering management, Senior Product Manager, Neuvays
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Akshay Java, M.S. ’03, computer science; Ph.D. ’08, computer science, Google
Threats, Defense, and Opportunity: Navigating a Career in Cybersecurity
Friday, March 27, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the Cybersecurity event
Join us for an engaging discussion on careers in cybersecurity featuring professionals working on the front lines of enterprise and applied security environments. This session will provide students with insight into how cybersecurity operates in both corporate and research-driven settings, and what skills are most valuable in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Our speakers, Sandeep Reddy Chintapally, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at Waste Management Inc., and Joe Carrigan from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, will share their experiences defending complex systems, responding to emerging threats, and navigating career paths in cybersecurity. Students will gain practical advice on breaking into the field, building technical and analytical skills, earning certifications, and developing the communication and problem-solving abilities that employers value.
Whether you are interested in security operations, threat intelligence, risk management, or research-driven cyber defense, this session will offer real-world perspectives on what it takes to succeed and grow in one of today’s most in-demand career fields.
Careers in Data Analytics: Strategy, Science, and Decision-Making
Wednesday, April 1, noon • ITE 459
RSVP for the Data Analytics event
Join us for a dynamic discussion on careers in data analytics featuring UMBC alumni who are leading data-driven initiatives in both industry and applied research environments. This session will explore how analytics supports strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, innovation, and mission-focused problem solving.
Our speakers include Gordon Quach, M.S. ’25, systems engineering, GTM Operations and Analytics Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton, and Emily Brown ’14, computer science, and M.S. ’14, computer science, Assistant Group Supervisor at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. They will share how they use analytics to guide business strategy, improve organizational performance, support national security missions, and lead technical teams. Students will gain insight into how analytics functions in consulting, government contracting, research labs, and large-scale enterprise environments.
The discussion will highlight career pathways such as data analyst, business intelligence analyst, operations analyst, data engineer, analytics consultant, product analytics specialist, and technical program lead. Students will learn what skills employers are seeking including data visualization, statistical analysis, Python and SQL proficiency, systems thinking, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
Speakers will also discuss practical steps students can take now to prepare for analytics careers: pursuing internships, building project portfolios, gaining experience with real-world datasets, earning relevant certifications, strengthening communication skills, and developing domain expertise in areas like cybersecurity, healthcare, consulting, or public sector missions.
Read a recap of the Fall 2025 Career Talk Series and watch a recording of each event.