Career Resources
Terrapins Connect
Terrapins Connect is the University's virtual platform with the goal of connecting Terps from across the world with one another for mentoring, networking and professional opportunities.
Whether you are looking to give or receive advice, Terrapins Connect provides a way to get involved. By joining the platform, you gain access to connect with thousands of fellow Terps, lively affinity and professional groups, formal and informal mentoring programs, access to career development resources and programs, and so much more. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
Get Started
Setting up your account is quick and easy! Once you do so, you’ll be able to expand your Terp network, grow professionally, explore new career opportunities, and so much more.
- Go to the Terrapins Connect homepage.
- Click the "Join Your Community" button.
- Select a signup method (ex. LinkedIn, Email, SSO)
- Choose your User Type (ex. "Student, Alumni, Faculty/Staff)
- Fill out your background info (if you use LinkedIn, your information will auto-populate!)
You may need to wait for an admin to approve your account. If that's the case, you’ll receive an email once your account has been approved.
Once you have an account, watch our YouTube playlist, TC Tips with Ethan, to get a better understanding of the platform's features.
Hear from Terrapins Connect Users
Hear directly from Terps how they utilized Terrapins Connect to advance their careers and give back.
Alumni Spotlight
When Terrapins Connect: How Alum Connections Helped This Terp Find a Job During a Global Pandemic
The cap and gown. The stage walk. Moving the tassel. And, of course, receiving that diploma. All quintessential markers of achievement for graduates at universities across the country.
Alumni Spotlight
When Terrapins Connect: UMBA Mentorship Program
When Taylor Dotson ’21 came to the University of Maryland in 2019 to get her master’s in industrial organizational psychology, she was ready to take on the academic challenge to make the final leap into her career.
Alumni Spotlight
When Terrapins Connect: Meeting Terps Across the Nation
When lifetime member Eric Glazer ’11 joined Terrapins Connect back in March of 2020, he planned on offering his expertise and mentorship to current students.
My Profile is Created...Now What?
Waiting to hear from a student or fellow alumni and not sure what else you can do on Terrapins Connect? Not to worry- there are many things you can do on the platform to stay connected and engaged. Still lost on how to create a profile? Watch Ethan's TC Tips on profiles.
Explore the Community
Under the Community tab, scroll through profiles or use the search and filter bar on the top of the screen to narrow your search. You can filter by location, major, industry, and more. When you've found someone to connect with, click the "Message" button to send a message or request a meeting. Learn more about networking with this video.
Build Off Your Skills
Terrapins Connect gives Terps access to exclusive development modules that will give even the most seasoned professionals more resources for their toolboxes. Explore these tabs to find tips on interviews, sample letters for various occasions, and personal development resources. Learn more with the Pathways TC Tip with Ethan.
Join a Group
Groups allow you to connect with others who share your interests. They're typically communities focused on particular colleges or interest areas, such as "Clark School of Engineering" or "Terps in Education" You can join a group to access select resources. Learn more about Groups in this video.
Need assistance starting your own group? Sure! Email Phil Lupov at plupov@umd.edu to learn more about starting a group.
Check Out Career Paths
Want to know what steps you need to take for a certain career? How much money you might make? How others got there before you? Explore Terrapin Connect’s new Career Paths feature which guides you through various career paths and connects you to Terps who have been there. Ethan walks you through the new feature in his latest TC Tips with Ethan video.
Explore the Alumni Job Board
The Terrapins Connect job board pulls jobs for alumni from the University Career Center, fellow alumni, and WayUp. Click through jobs to find Terps who have worked there and apply through Terrapins Connect. Learn how to best navigate these features with our Job Board video.
Manage Your Settings
Control how your account is set up, who can see your profile, when you’re available, and more. To access your settings, click the dropdown menu on your profile picture in the right hand corner of the screen. From there, click “My Preferences”. Then on the left hand side, toggle through each of the following options:
- Notifications: Control when and how you’re getting information from Terrapins Connect. Do you want an email when someone messages you on the platform? Or a text? Or both?
- Privacy: Manage how your profile can be seen by others.
- Availability: Decide your meeting availability with others in the community. You may choose if you are available and how many people contact you in one month.
- Account: Change your email address, password, or if needed, delete your account here.
- Manage your Calendar: Here, you have the option to privately sync your calendar to show availability.
- Matching Quiz: Update your matching quiz to get recommended users for connections.
Preferences can be confusing. Check out Ethan's video to walk
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
Signing up is easy. Go to www.terrapinsconnect.umd.edu and click on "Join Our Community." Mentors and mentees can choose to sign in through LinkedIn, Facebook or email.
How long do I have to wait for account approval?
Our team does our best to approve users as quickly as possible. Please allow 24 business hours. If you are concerned, you can email alumni@umd.edu.
How do I change my email?
- Click on your profile image in the upper right and then select "My Preferences" from the drop-down.
- Select "Account" from the menu on the left.
- Update your email address and password under "Email ID and Password." Remember to save your changes!
- You will need to confirm your new email by clicking the link we will send to your new address; once you have done so, we will start sending notifications to your new email.
How do I reset my password?
Learn how to reset your password whether or not you're logged in.
I have a duplicate account, what do I do?
Did you receive a message that your info was connected to an existing account? Sounds like you might already have an account! Select the statement below that sounds most relevant.
How do I get connected with a mentor?
The program will recommend connections based on your profile information. You can also choose to browse the entire TerrapinsConnect community by industry, major, location and more. Once you decide to reach out to a mentor, send a request to become officially paired.
Once they accept, they can send you a meeting invite for a phone call or video chat. You will receive emails to let you know when you've received a message.
What if I am alum looking for mentorship?
Alumni can absolutely join seeking mentorship. As an alum, you can connect with other alumni in your city or industry of interest. If you are interested in mentoring students and gaining career advice, you can do both!
I am on Terrapins Connect but no one has contacted me. Why?
Make sure you have taken the matching quiz to set your preferences, fully and accurately filled out your profile and set your availability. This will make it easier for mentees to find you! Also, please remember it is a large platform and sometimes it may take a while for mentees to find you.
Additionally, check your spam folder in case of any lost messages. If you find messages are consistently appearing in spam, click the Help button in the bottom left of the Terrapins Connect platform.
Can I have an anonymous profile?
Terrapins Connect does NOT have an anonymous profile option. We felt it was important for people to "see" the face of their mentor, especially since the initial contact between mentor and mentee is via email. If you need to remain anonymous but want to participate in this program, please contact meganjm@umd.edu.
Is my personal information secure?
Terrapins Connect is powered by PeopleGrove, which uses your information solely "for the purpose of providing the Service, identifying and communicating with you, responding to your requests/inquiries, and improving the Service." To learn more, view PeopleGrove's Privacy Policy.
What's the best way to use this resource?
Each individual will use this resource differently. Some will have specific professional development questions, some will want to speak with people employed in specific industries or at specific organizations, some may need to talk through making their resume more concise. It will depend on you and how you feel you can best utilize Terrapins Connect.
I do not want to be a mentor/mentee anymore. How do I delete my profile?
Please email alumni@umd.edu and explain you want your profile deleted from the system. We will remove you from the system within five business days.
Am I able to restrict the types of students I advise?
We ask that you be open to all students on campus, as you never know how your experiences might related to them, even though they may not be an "expected" advisee (i.e.. an engineering student seeking advice from a lawyer or someone in the public sector).
Do I have to advise every student who contacts me?
No. You can set your availability to allow connection requests from the number of mentees that you are comfortable of. You can also deny any connection request if your schedule is full or you feel it is the wrong fit.
As a mentor, can I change my availability?
Yes. You can update your availability at any time by clicking the dropdown menu next to your icon in the top right. Select "My Preferences" and navigate to the "Availability" section in the left sidebar.
Can I use my @umd email after graduation?
For @umd email-related answers, please explore FAQs from the IT Service Desk.