Smith’s Office of Career Services Helps High School Students Gear Up for Internships, College, Careers

Students at Wheaton High School in Montgomery County, Md., recently learned resume tips and advice to help with their future job searches and college applications from the head of the Office of Career Services at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Kimberly Rice DeGross, Smith’s Assistant Dean of Strategic Relations and head of the Office of Career Services, led a session with students on Nov. 13, 2025. She introduced the students to the Smith School and the University of Maryland’s programs and career offerings. She also talked about what students can do right now to get to the next level once they graduate — whether that’s attending a four-year university or community college, or landing a full-time job. 

"As the flagship school in the State of Maryland, connecting with our local community is the right thing to do,” said DeGross. “We want to help our Maryland students get jobs, go to college, and excel in life. We have a responsibility to pay it forward."

DeGross shared her education and work journey, tips on public speaking, and how to make the most of their current internship. She gave them guidance on work habits, attire, social media and the value of "coming early and staying late."

" I hope the students felt empowered, encouraged, and enlightened about how bright their future can be when taking the right steps forward," she said.

The event was organized by Kimberly Gustin, the internship and apprenticeship coordinator at Wheaton. Students were preparing their resumes and talking points to participate in Wheaton’s first Internship and Apprenticeship Fair on Nov. 11 and 18. The fair gave juniors and seniors a chance to speak with businesses and organizations — including Clark Construction, the Boys and Girls Club of Germantown, and FBI Language Services — about spring semester and summer internship and apprenticeship opportunities. 

Gustin first connected to Smith professor Roy Thomason, who then introduced her to DeGross. They created a link between Wheaton students and the Smith School and gave the students a glimpse of what a university career center can offer. 

“I can get them started here, but I want the students to know what a career center can offer at a university if they attend one,” said Gustin. 

She’s also hoping DeGross’ advice helps students land internships in high school. “We’re trying to get students to have more valuable experiences,” she says. “That’s definitely going to help them in the long run.”