JENN LITTLE
Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar & Honors College Certificate
Majors: Political Science, B.A., Global Studies B.A.
Minor: Geography
Hometown: Bel Air, MD
Jenn graduated in December 2021 and she has already started her career in public affairs and policy. As a Sondheim Scholar, Jenn pursued a multitude of opportunities where she could combine her interests in communications, the environment, and public service. She completed an impressive array of internships with organizations including the National Park Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the US Department of Transportation. Jenn participated in UMBC’s Shattuck Family Internship Program and showed her enthusiasm for UMBC by giving tours of campus for the Admissions Office. Jenn recently started work as a Technology Policy Analyst for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
A few thoughts from Jenn about her time as a Sondheim Scholar:
What are you most proud of from your time at UMBC?
Exploring a diverse set of public sector careers by taking on internships nearly every semester.
What is your most memorable public service experience as a Sondheim Scholar?
Creating multimedia content for the Patterson Park Audubon Center – it was a great reason to get outside and learn more about our local environment!
What was your favorite Sondheim event?
Our discussion with Lawrence Lanahan, journalist and author of The Lines Between Us.
What is an important thing you learned about yourself at UMBC?
It’s okay to “workshop” your life. This is a concept we discussed at length in Honors 300: Be Your Best Self in Real Life, meaning that we aren’t required to stick with one career or philosophy for our entire lives. It’s okay to pursue many different interests and make bold changes when it feels like time.
What’s an important thing you learned about the world beyond campus while you were a student at UMBC?
People want to be seen and belong. Stories matter and are often our greatest tool for change.