START has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to launch a program for undergraduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park, who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of homeland security. The program will provide high-achieving students who have pursued curriculum relevant to homeland security with professional development opportunities designed to help ensure that they are well prepared for pursuing careers in this field. In addition, students who participate in this program will receive generous financial support to off-set a portion of the costs of their education at Maryland.
Undergraduate participants in the START Career Development Program will be provided:
- a START Undergraduate Scholarship of $15,000 towards tuition, room and board, and fees for one academic year
- Support for travel to and registration at one relevant professional conference
- One-on-one mentoring with a professional in the homeland security arena and from the leadership of the START Center
- Meetings with officials from the public and private sector working in positions related to homeland security
- Active involvement in a research project related to improving understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism
- In return, participating students will commit to working for a minimum of one year in the homeland security arena, following graduation.
Eligibility Requirements: The START Career Development Program is available to highly qualified juniors and seniors enrolled full-time at the University of Maryland, College Park, who have completed coursework related to homeland security generally and/or terrorism studies specifically. Students enrolled in Maryland's Undergraduate Minor in Terrorism Studies are encouraged to apply, but the program will not be exclusive to this cohort, and students from any College within the College Park campus are eligible. Students from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. In addition, eligible students must meet the following criteria:
- Agreement to commit a minimum of one year (12 months) of employment in the homeland security workforce (in the public, private, or non-profit sector) following graduation;
- Maintenance of an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher, with a 3.5 GPA or higher in homeland-security relevant courses (as determined by the selection committee); and
- Possession of U.S. citizenship.
A total of 4 undergraduate students will be selected for participation in this program for the 2008-09 Academic Year. An information session for undergraduates interested in the START Career Development Program will be held on Thursday, March 13th at 1:00pm in 3121 Symons Hall. Applications are due Monday, March 31,2008, at 5:00 pm.
