All posts in category Co-op/Intern Spotlight Series

Co-op/Internship Spotlight: Steven Bohlemann

photoSteven Bohlemann is a senior in the Aerospace Engineering program, concentrating on Propulsion with a minor in Aircraft Maintenance Science at the Daytona Beach campus. Through his minor, Steven is working on his A&P license. Steven has completed two internships to date and just started his third. His first internship was completed with GE Global Research in Munich during his junior year after a semester of Study Abroad in Germany; his second was with Lufthansa Technik Aircraft Component Services in the United States. Steven will be spending this semester working as a Service Engineering Intern with United Airlines in Houston, TX.

How did you land your internships, and how did you navigate the process?

I obtained the internship with United Airlines in their Service Engineering Department in Houston, TX as a result of the Industry/Career Expo. Make sure to go prepared to the interview; you don’t need to be an expert about the company but know simple facts. Also, the most important advice, I unfortunately realized a little late, is to BE YOURSELF in the interview. I used to think I would have to be exactly who I thought they were looking for, and this always made me really nervous. In my experiences, I have accepted three internships and been offered more; I found I had the best results when I prepared for the interview. While I change my daily attire and behavior to fit the formal occasion, I do not hide who I am. I clearly tell them what I love to do and why I am passionate about it, and if they ask, I tell them my deficiencies as well as dislikes. Remember if you play it safe, like I used to do, you will never be put at the bottom of the pile, but you will remain safely and jobless in the middle of the pile of applicants. You have to stand out. All of us, even us engineers, have unique personalities and sets of skills; let those shine through in an interview.

What have you done, and what will you be doing on your next internship?

I completed my first internship my junior year while I was having the time of my life studying abroad in Germany. I studied there for a semester, and the following semester, I was lucky enough to get an internship with GE in their Research Center in Munich, which at the time was one of their four Global Research Centers in the world. These research centers were where the next leap of technology were created, and it was incredibly awesome to work with those people. I worked in the energy production system department. I learned so much from this internship and really loved it. I became hooked on the internship experience.

My second internship was with Lufthansa Technik Aircraft Component Services in the United States. This one was far less technical when compared to my GE experience, but it was great to get another perspective on how the business and technical world coexist. I did a lot of reliability and performance studies of various components which was then presented to customers where financial consequences were discussed.

My third internship will be with United Airlines with their Service Engineering Department in Houston, TX. I am really excited to be able to call a hangar filled with airplanes, including the new 787, the office where I work.

What advice do you have for students seeking an internship?

Do not wait; I regret not going to Career Services my freshman and sophomore years and not attending the career fairs. While you most likely will not get an internship your freshmen year, get out there and practice. I used to be a very shy person and was super awkward in these type of situations. The only way you are going to get over those feelings of fear and intimidation is to PRACTICE. Put yourself in uncomfortable and foreign situations; you will inevitably learn and grow from the experience.

Did your international status cause you any challenges in attaining an internship in Germany?

It was hard to get an internship in Germany as my conversational German was pretty fluent, but I severely lacked technical German language skill, which made it harder, but not impossible, to get a position. Where there is a will there is a way, and I got an internship and overcame the language barrier. My co-workers were patient and very helpful. I was even able at the end of the internship to give a 15 minute technical presentation in German, all thanks to their help and patience with me during my internship. Here in the US, I had no problem as I am an American citizen.

What are your career aspirations and have they changed since you started your internships?

Other than being able to accumulate technical knowledge and skills from internships, these experiences have also helped me decide what I want and what I do not want to do. For example, I never thought I would’ve liked to work in Research and Development, as I mistakenly used to think it would be boring and not hands-on enough for me. I was hesitant to accept my internship at GE’s research center, but ultimately I said, I am here in Germany to expose myself to new adventures, so I decided to accept the offer. There is almost no other event in my life that has influenced me more professionally and personally than my internship at GE. I desire to ultimately work in field service/support engineering or R&D. I like that both career paths are exciting in their own respects. I would either like to be part of a team in R&D which may develop the next technological breakthrough or in field service engineering where you never know what you will be doing that day, as you cannot predict the problem that lands on your desk. From my own experiences, I have realized I love creating and building devices which are solutions to difficult, out of the norm problems, and I enjoy thinking outside of the box.

What advice would you give students who are contemplating doing an internship experience?

Umm…why in the world is someone contemplating if they should or should not do an internship? As respectfully as possible, I would say it would be ridiculous and, frankly, not smart to pass up the opportunity to do an internship. The whole purpose of going to school is to become educated to ultimately land a job in the real world. While school gives you a great foundation, it amounts to very little if it is not coupled with real world, practical experience which can be achieved through an internship. Through an internship you convert the raw knowledge learned in school into practical useful knowledge and a set of skills for your career. Doing an internship does not remotely guarantee a job; it does provide you the opportunity to set yourself apart from the next candidate, and hopefully with some luck, it is enough to get your dream job.

Please tell us about your learning experiences, both professionally and personally. What are the benefits you will take away from these experiences?

I have been at ERAU now for 5 years; I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with AOC in propulsion and a minor in Aviation Maintenance Science (obtaining my A&P License). When I look back on my college experience, I think of all the fun I had being part of the university soccer team, going to study abroad, great memories from various clubs, fun times with friends, and my internship experiences. These are the best times of our lives, so I cannot say enough, we should get out there and experience all that we can. Now is the time to try and pursue your different interests and truly see where your passion lies.

I can say my life changed when I went to study abroad, an experience which is by far the best decision I have made in my life. Not only did I have the most fun of my life, I grew as a person academically, professionally, and personally. My internship at GE Global Research Center in Munich was a great learning experience, as I was working for an American company in Germany, and my colleagues were from all over the world, to just name a few: Spain, Ireland, England,  Germany, America, Kenya, China, Mexico, Italy, Singapore and many more. This proved challenging in the beginning, as each culture was different, but what I took away was there were many different ways to get to the right answer, and you didn’t always have the right one. I learned how to work with a group of multicultural people and concluded that a diverse team may have initial short term obstacles, but I believe they are more effective and stronger in the long term than a culturally homogenous team. When employers ask me about a hard experience I went through or why I think I am a strong team player, I have a myriad of stories to provide them of evidence through the EXPERIENCE I had of living, studying and working abroad.

At GE, I was lucky to work as part of a team of scientists who took me under their wings, and they strongly impacted the person I am today and the professional I hope to be one day. I can say, I got my second internship as a result of my study abroad experience; they really liked that.  I took the lessons from GE to Lufthansa Technik, where I was mentored as well and was able to continue to develop my professional skills. These skills are invaluable to my career, and you do not learn these in school. You have to go out and experience these lessons, and hopefully, you do this before you begin your full time career.

Also, from my internship experience  and help from my advisor, I realized it would be a good choice for me to get my Airframe and Powerplant license to complement my engineering degree. I would have never done this had it not been for my time at GE, where I saw the value of not just designing some theoretical device, but also the ability to build it and comprehend the difficulties that come with constructing and maintaining components. I have definitely seen the benefit of pursuing my A&P license along with my engineering degree from employers this past career fair, as this was often the topic of conversation when I conversed with them.

I hope more students embark on adventures while in college, if that be through studying abroad, getting an internship, or putting themselves in some type of new foreign environment/experience, because not only will this make them a better professional  but also a more well-rounded person. One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” I believe we should live life to the fullest and experience all we can while in college, and that includes doing an INTERNSHIP!

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by eraucso on January 21, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on January 21, 2013

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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Matthew Vaughan

Matthew Vaughan, ERAU, Applied Meteorology

Matthew Vaughan, Senior, Applied Meteorology

Matthew Vaughan, a senior in the Applied Meteorology program at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus, grew up in the hills of Western Massachusetts in the small town of Dalton. Since preschool, Matt has had a strong interest in flying and weather, so he planned to become a professional pilot when he grew up. He attended Mt. Greylock High School, playing varsity soccer and tennis. Matthew was an active Mt. Greylock student; serving on the Student council, representing Greylock at Massachusetts Boys’ State, and delivering the commencement address  at his graduation ceremony were among his activities. Induction into the NHS and recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction status rounded out Matt’s academic success before heading to Embry-Riddle.

At Embry-Riddle, Matthew continues to work hard on his academics. As a member of the university Honors Program, Matthew has the opportunity to work one-on-one with professors pursuing various research topics in meteorology and recently completed an internship with the NOAA National Severe Storm Lab. As president of both Chi Epsilon Pi meteorology honor society and the ERAU chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Matt remains active on campus. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports including tennis and archery, volunteering at the local HospiceCare, and reading. Matthew plans on going to graduate school for meteorology and hopes to stay in academia as a professor.

What was the application and interview process like for your NOAA internship?

Applying for the NOAA Hollings Scholarship Program was fairly straight-forward. The application was available online under NOAA’s Office of Education page. Eligibility requirements consisted of maintaining a 3.0 GPA, having U.S. citizenship, and majoring in a NOAA-related science field. The application called for 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, various honors and awards, and 2 essays. The essay topics concerned my career interests and how my academic pursuits aided NOAA and its mission. I sent in my application to be considered among the approximately 900 applications NOAA received each year, and fortunately, I was one of the 104 scholars to be selected.

After being selected as a scholar and attending the week-long orientation program in D.C., I was given a list of potential research topics at various NOAA facilities across the country. The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) had some interesting experiments going on at the time, so I sent a resume and a letter of interest to a NOAA scientist there. Two other Hollings scholars and I were selected to intern at NSSL over the summer with each of us working under our own NOAA mentors. I travelled to NSSL over winter break for a site visit and a final interview with my mentors.

How did this experience help solidify your future career aspirations?

My experience at NSSL gave me an introduction to all the NOAA does to serve this country. Also, having NSSL co-located with the University of Oklahoma gave me an insider’s view of what it is like to work as a scientist and professor at one of the world’s most prestigious meteorology research facilities.

My research was an extension of what my NOAA mentors were working on at the time. We were attempting to improve tornado warning lead times by modeling a tornadic supercell within a high resolution computer model using geostationary satellite and local radar data. The scientists charged me to write computer programs and scripts to analyze the model output and determine how effective the simulation was at predicting the location, path, and strength of the storm. I wrote up my findings into a manuscript and am currently trying to publish the paper in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal. Being on the forefront of tornado research was exhilarating and has sparked an interest in research that I didn’t have previously.

“Research” was a frightening term before this past summer. It was a word that conjured up images of staying up reading technical articles all night and spending countless hours writing scientific papers. However, after being exposed to real research, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, I’m dead-set on going to graduate school and pursuing a Ph.D. in meteorology. I enjoyed the atmosphere at NSSL and OU, and I will attempt to find employment as either a government researcher or a university professor after I’m done with graduate school.

What was the most beneficial part of the internship?

Being at the National Severe Storms Lab was the most beneficial part of the scholarship program. Overhearing the office banter and discussions between the NOAA scientists there was incredible. The amount of information I gained simply by listening to the scientists was like an additional semester of 400-level courses. On the first day of work, a federal meteorologist from the Storm Prediction Center invited me to go storm-chasing with him that afternoon. Those few hours in his hail-dented Civic easily doubled my knowledge of thunderstorm structure and dynamics.

Also, writing a publishable article for a scientific journal was an invaluable experience for me. Not only did I learn new techniques in technical report writing, but I gained a significant amount of confidence from completing the manuscript. Writing long scientific articles and theses doesn’t seem like such a daunting task anymore. As a result, I’m greatly anticipating my time at graduate school and continuing my research.

 What advice do you have for other students searching for an internship?

The best advice I could give to my fellow students is to talk with your professors. I was a regular in my professors’ offices even as a freshman and sophomore. Ask about their academic careers and research interests outside of the specific course they teach. The professors here at ERAU are a cornucopia of information and can provide insights into the industry that textbooks can’t.

Lastly, increasing your skills as a public servant is an important part of your collegiate experience. Any government worker is, in essence, a public servant, and NOAA’s mission is all about serving the U.S. public. There was a strong sense of service among the employees I met when I visited NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Showing that you are a strong contributor to your community will make a profound impact on how a potential employer will view your resume, whether you are working to serve the public or a company.

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by eraucso on November 19, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on November 19, 2012

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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Jake Sleyster

Jake Sleyster, Senior, Aerospace Engineering

Jake Sleyster is an Aerospace Engineering senior at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, AZ campus. During the past two summers, Jake has worked as an Engineering Intern at Tamarack Aerospace in Sandpoint, ID, completing numerous projects and gaining experience that will benefit him greatly when he graduates this coming May. Jake works in the Embry-Riddle Admissions department as an Admissions Representative and Senior Tour Guide. He is also a member of Sigma Chi and captain of the Embry-Riddle Lacrosse team/club.

What kind of work did you do as an Engineering Intern at Tamarack Aerospace?

Tamarack is a small company, so I did a lot of everything, from design of aircraft accessories, reverse engineering of a throttle knob, test equipment, composite wet layups, and assembly of tips to wings taking into account deflection, riveting and wrote reports that were submitted to the FAA. I worked with two DERS on design certifications.

Did you work on the new Atlas program?

A little bit, but I’m under NDA, which is non-disclosure agreement. Take a look at the recent press releases on the Cirrus.

What was it like working at a small company? 

It’s like a family; we worked six days a week of long hours. Being at the airport, we watched planes land, and there was a fly-in of experimental planes at the airport. There was an experimental plane that landed belly down with no landing gear, so we got in a taco truck with our fire extinguishers. When we got there, the A&P told us we needed to get it on its wheels, so about 10 of us lifted it up, and got the gear extended.

What skills came in handy and what skills did you develop?

Knowing how to write reports, shop skills, CAD, and electrical engineering, in addition to my core aerospace courses.

How did you land the internship, and how did you navigate the process?

It’s in my hometown. The owner was my lacrosse coach in high school, and he wrote my recommendation to get into ERAU. Networking is key.

Do you think it was important to do an internship?

Yes. It taught me what it’s like in the aviation world, aircraft components, concepts that classes alone can’t teach you. At the Career Expo, employers seemed more interested in me and my experiences than some other students. I think they spent more time talking to me than they would have if I didn’t have internship experience.

What did you do while on your second summer there?

Being the senior intern was cool. I reviewed the work of newly graduated mechanical engineers and worked alongside high-level engineers.

Did you gain any knowledge that will be useful to you back at school?

Understanding composites and strain gauges helped me with S&I class and Materials. Also, actually seeing how and why we do things is very important.

You got to represent Tamarack at AOPA. Tell us about that.

It was another great opportunity to talk about Tamarack to small and large companies, plus I got to experience an AOPA Aviation Summit – the aviation vibe is even stronger there than on campus.

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by eraucso on November 12, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on November 12, 2012

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Co-op/Internship Spotlight: Shyamal “Sam” Patel

Shyamal Patel, DB AE

Shyamal “Sam” Patel is a junior in the Aerospace Engineering program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach campus, specializing in Astronautics. In addition to his major course of study, Sam is minoring in Mathematics, Space Studies, Aerospace Life Sciences, and Homeland Security. Sam has completed internships/co-ops with five companies: Northrop Grumman, NASA Kennedy Space Center, The Boeing Company, Masten Space Systems, and most recently with SpaceX. While he finishes his degree, Sam is working on side projects and consulting on his previous project with SpaceX. He is also a Private Pilot and Emergency Medical Technician.

How did you land your co-ops/internships, and how did you navigate the process?

During my sophomore year, I went to the Career Expo and spoke with the SpaceX representatives and learned more about the company. Later that day they had an informational talk in which they discussed more about internships. I learned from the presentation that the most important aspect when considering an intern for SpaceX is their hands-on experience. I used this bit of information the following year during the Career Expo, focusing on my hands-on experience while speaking to SpaceX representatives. I obtained my practical experience from previous internships and university organizations. During my Masten Space Systems and NASA internships,  I gained valuable hands-on experience with fluid systems. Organizations like ERFSEDS and Society for S.P.A.C.E. provided me with additional practical experience with high powered rocketry and working in teams. They were impressed with this experience and called me out to their Cape Canaveral launch pad for an interview. During this interview, I again used my hands-on experience to influence and guide the interview. Within five minutes of leaving the interview, I was called and told that I had landed a co-op for the spring and summer of 2012. My recommendation to students is to really listen to what employers want in an intern and focus on those aspects heavily when talking to representatives and during the interview phase.

What opportunities are available for students at SpaceX?

There are many opportunities available for students at SpaceX. One of the benefits is that there are opportunities in different locations: Cape Canaveral, FL; McGregor, TX; Vandenberg, CA; Hawthorne CA. I interned at the launch site in Cape Canaveral. There, students get to work with the launch operations group, which involves final vehicle integration and launch/mission execution. The Texas facility is primarily focused on testing the various propulsion systems of the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft. Most of the opportunities for students are located at headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. In Hawthorne, students get the opportunity to work with all of the groups, including: Avionics, Dynamics, Launch Operations, Manufacturing, Propulsion, and Structures.

What advice would you give students who are contemplating doing an internship experience?

Students who are contemplating doing an internship should know that internships are incredible experiences. An internship is your chance to finally see what your field has to offer. I personally believe that I have learned more practical knowledge during my internships than I have in the classroom. Sure, the classroom teaches you the basics, but the basics do not do you any good if you do not know how to use them. Internships are there to fill the gap between theory and seeing it in action.

When I received my offer from SpaceX, I was given a spring and summer co-op. That meant that I had to skip the spring semester and push back graduation. At first, I was on the fence about accepting the co-op because of this push back. I realized that graduating one semester later would be worth the co-op experience. I learned firsthand that the experience you gain far outweighs any cost, even if that means graduating later than expected.

In what ways has your co-op experience impacted your college experience?

My college experience has been greatly impacted as a result of my co-op. My co-op has bridged the gap between what I have been learning in the classroom and how to use such knowledge in industry. During my co-op, I learned many concepts that are just now coming up in my classes. This has made my classes easier because I am already familiar with some of the topics, and it is easier now to follow along.  With this comes a new perspective about classes. I now look at the small topics taught in class and try to find out ways in which they can help me when I return to SpaceX.

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by eraucso on October 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on October 22, 2012

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Co-op/Internship Spotlight: Joshua Ehrlich

Joshua Ehrlich, BS AE/MS ME ERAU

Joshua Ehrlich, DB, MS Mechanical Engineering

Joshua Ehrlich received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida in May 2011. As an undergraduate student, Joshua completed two internships with United Launch Alliance and an internship with the NASA Space Florida Academy. When he began his graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University last fall, he was determined to obtain a graduate-level internship. His hard work paid off, and he recently completed a Graduate Engineering internship with NASA at Kennedy Space Center.

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

From the middle of the fall 2011 semester to the end of March, I was applying for as many internship positions as I could find every day, across the globe. I used the internet to my full advantage targeting websites geared specifically towards college students, as well job recruitment businesses and private company websites. I specifically applied towards a NASA internship program that involved a great deal of paperwork and supplementary documentation for my application, which included lengthy essays and recommendation letters from professional references. However, I was told by a fellow student that there was an additional internship within NASA called the Kennedy Intern Program (now called the NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP)). I applied, simply sending my resume and transcripts to the email provided in mid-February; I received an offer in mid-April and accepted. My advice: No matter how big, small, easy or lengthy an internship application or process may be, take advantage of every opportunity available to you, whether it’s a Fortune 500 business or a 40-person small firm. You’ll be happy you did when you get the call.

As a graduate student, why did you think it was important to obtain an internship?

I highly recommend obtaining an internship while a graduate student, especially if you did not have any extracurricular experience with a company as an undergraduate student. Internship experience reveals to companies, either when you apply for a secondary internship or a job after graduation, that you are desired and are equipped with a skill set that other potential rivaling companies seek. Internship experience prepares the student for what the lifestyle is like as a full-time employee. You learn and develop certain professional standards, communication skills, and technical knowledge that are not only specific to the company for which you are interning for but for the general field of work you are pursuing down the road. Additionally, an internship proves to both you and the company you are working for that you either are or are not capable of ‘keeping up’ with other employees, that you are able to provide support with the skills and qualities you possess and then some without having somebody watching over you; you must have the desire to work with minimal oversight. An intern gains experience by understanding what they are capable of in the workforce, as well as gaining the confidence to excel above and beyond the call of duty.

What projects did you work on while completing your internship with NASA?

I was involved in numerous projects within several divisions during my time at Kennedy Space Center. I was splitting my time between the System Engineering & Integration division and the Materials Engineering & Processes division. I tested and analyzed composite infusion processes for the Composites for Exploration (CoEx) project for the intent of developing and analyzing dry composite structures and materials technologies for future space exploration applications. Additionally, I supplied system requirements in the design of the Science Carrier Unit (SCU) for the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) system, an International Space Station (ISS) scientific payload to be delivered in 2015. I also supported APH mechanical design teams in developing Pro-Engineer models of the Expedite The Processing of Experiments to the Space Station  (EXPRESS) currently installed on the ISS under the APH project. Finally, I developed flight safety data packages, design verification matrices, and verification & validation procedures for qualification testing and supported fellow engineers in the build of VEGGIE, a small-scale expandable plant growth system to be sent to the ISS in 2013.

 What piece of career advice would you like to share with those seeking an internship/co-op experience?

 My advice to students seeking an internship/co-op, especially those who have no prior internship experience, is to become active on campus. Pursue research opportunities, attend clubs meetings/socials, and participate in any extracurricular activities that are presented to you or are available. You cannot be another face in the crowd, but rather a leader outside the classroom. To put it simple: You must want it! You are competing with hundreds of other candidates, so you need to ask yourself, “How am I going to stand out from the rest? What do I have to offer that makes me a highly desired candidate?” An internship will not be handed to you, so the only way for you to be offered the opportunity is for you to earn it. One last piece of advice I offer is do not give up. You will receive more rejections than offers, a lot more. But all you need is one, one offer to be presented to you. So take advantage of your time, become active at school, and apply for as many internships openings as possible, and you will succeed.

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by eraucso on September 10, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on September 10, 2012

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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Christoffer Laulund

Christoffer Laulund, ERAU

Christoffer Laulund, Senior, AE

Christoffer Laulund is a senior in the Aerospace Engineering program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach campus. As an international student, Christoffer had additional hurdles to cross in order to obtain an internship. However, through a stellar academic record,  perseverance and networking, he landed an internship this summer as an Engineering Intern with Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, GA.

As an International student, you know there are many challenges in finding internship opportunities in the U.S. What steps did you take to overcome these hurdles?

As an international student, the odds are even more heavily stacked against you in the quest for an internship than if a student has the “US person” status. This is the case, not necessarily because international students are less sought after, but simply because many companies, often due to federal regulations, are restricted to employ US person status employees. Nevertheless, it is not at all impossible to land an internship, even the internship you always wanted.

I have always admired Gulfstream and their airplanes, and if I had to choose one company to work for that I knew accepted international students, Gulfstream would be the one. To overcome the seemingly impossibly large obstacle of getting hired, I used the resources available to me: my knowledge, my contacts, EagleHire, and company hiring websites.

How did you land the internship, and how did you navigate the process?

Through the use of the already mentioned resources, I finally got a call from Gulfstream. They had actually declined my online applications, but that does (apparently) not mean there is no way of getting the job. I had provided one of my contacts, whom I knew was in contact with Gulfstream on a regular basis, with my resume, and she forwarded it to the recruitment team at Gulfstream. There were no guarantees of course, but ultimately that resume, printed on paper and handed from person to person the old fashioned way, got me the internship I am currently doing. The recruitment team at Gulfstream had forwarded my resume to one of the hiring managers who in turn liked it and asked that they call me and offer me the job…just like that. Of course, hard work has to be put in regardless of which path one aims to take to get an internship or a job. My contact thought highly of me and had no qualms recommending me. My resume was strong thanks to good grades and other experiences. And last but not least, I kept pursuing what I wanted.

What advice do you have for students seeking an internship?

Oftentimes it can seem like an insurmountable feat to be given the opportunity to show off your skills to an employer and gain the experience that is so valuable and useful further down the line. However, when you are just about to snap the laptop shut in frustration over filling out one more form and uploading one more cover letter, remember that there are other ways of approaching the problem. I am not saying that you should not fill out that one additional form; on the contrary, I am merely saying that going about it in another way and using the people and recourses around you can get you very far. It can even get you all the way. In addition, it can motivate you to push through with just one more application. In the end, there is only one that really matters.

What do you expect to learn from your upcoming experience?

While at Gulfstream, I expect to learn about how the company conducts their engineering operations and how engineering outside the classroom and away from the books is done. I expect to develop my critical thinking skills and to become better at asking pertinent questions. Additionally I expect to learn one or two engineering software packages in more depth. The experience is also likely to expose me to a variety of different teams and ways of working, which will teach me about approaching problems in several ways and how to modify the approach as one works through the problem. Oh, and I expect to have fun!

What motivated you to apply to Gulfstream Corporation?

Gulfstream has been on the top of my list of employers ever since I learned that they accept international students. They make the most beautiful, most advanced airplanes in the world and cater to a niche market full of exciting individuals. With such a product line and high prestige, I relished the opportunity of becoming a part of the team that delivered these products. Making even the smallest impact on any of these aircraft would be thrilling. I had also heard nothing but good or great things about working for them from other interns or co-ops that I know from school. Every single one said that the company treated them very well and that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

What is one piece of career advice you would like to share?

My experience over that past two years tells me that hard work will be rewarded. Sooner or later an opportunity for you to grab will present itself; it is your responsibility to put yourself in the position to reach out and get it. Although the hard work is important to get to the right position, networking can be equally or more important. Get to know people. Additionally, be approachable and likeable. No one wants to work with people they cannot communicate with or cannot stand the sight of.

Therefore, work hard, talk, network, and connect.

Finally, I would like to give another somewhat intangible advice.  I believe the most important thing in one’s career is to find a line of work that excites you. Enjoy going to work every day, be challenged and relish the challenges that are presented. One can do good work regardless of what state of mind one is in, but great work can only be done if a person is excited about what he or she is doing.  In line with the above, my career advice is: don’t work, play. Find something you are passionate about or really love doing and pursue it. Life will become a playground, and you will be the king/queen.

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by eraucso on August 6, 2012  •  Permalink
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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Brian Smith

Brian Smith, Senior, BS AE

Brian Smith, a senior in the Aerospace Engineering program, still has two months left until graduation, but already has a full-time job offer thanks to his rotational four-semester stint as an Engineering Co-op at Gulfstream Aerospace. With over a year of experience working in various areas (Powerplant/Environmental Control Systems, Advanced Composites Technology, Structural Testing, Stress Analysis) within the company, he also has a sense of what he wants to do with his Embry-Riddle education. When Brian isn’t in Savannah, he works both in the Career Services Office as a Student Assistant and as a Teaching Assistant/Peer Mentor in the Department of Freshman Engineering at Embry-Riddle.

Tell us about your co-op experience at Gulfstream.

My experience started at the Industry/Career Expo during my freshman year, where I found Gulfstream at their booth winding down on the second day.  I grabbed the requisite freebie (a Rubik’s cube), and asked them what they did.  I heard about their products and their co-op program, and he told me to apply back the following year, which I did and landed the job.

When I got there, nearly everything was taken care of for me.  Lodging, work schedule, orientation, etc.  They told me where to go the first morning, gave me a map to get to the check-in, and walked me through the location with the rest of the first-time co-ops and got me situated in my office.  And every semester for me was as smooth as can be.

My semesters were spread across 4 different departments, each of which made me feel as an integral member of the team. They went to great lengths to give me meaningful work and left me to do independent work while doing their best to be available as a resource for help.

However, as each department (ECS & Powerplant/Adv. Composites/Structural Test/FEM & Stress Analysis) knew that I had experience in prior semesters, my responsibilities grew.  I was looked to and referenced to incoming co-ops as a resource for information in the co-op world and expected to be more competent as my job tasks became more in depth and directly affected tasks of the full time engineers.  The point of mentioning this is how with this company, and most of the others I’ve heard tell of, utilize their co-ops as critical members of their project teams. You should expect to have responsibility and a direct effect on your company.

In what ways has your co-op experience impacted your college experience?

College has become both easier and more difficult.  Easier in that with first-hand knowledge of aircraft and manufacturing methods in the real world, you can understand some of the things a professor says that would normally pass over your head.  It also makes it easier to organize and run class projects, as the experience you gain in teamwork in the workforce very easily translates to classroom leadership.

However, it can become difficult in that some things you learn in school are in no way relevant to the actual work you will likely do outside of school.  This is a true fact, and though some people will object vehemently to this, in my experience it is 100% true.  However, keeping the mindset where you’re “learning to learn” can help get you through those harder classes.

On the whole, there is nothing better to help your college career than a co-op. Confining yourself to a classroom is a quick way to a sheltered outlook, and nothing is more unappealing to a company than someone who is a drone and cannot think; they have computer programs for that.

What would you say to students who are on the fence about doing a co-op or internship?

I would say definitely make space in your college plan to do at least one internship if possible.  It can be fit into a summer, and the experience you gain far outweighs any cost you may incur; you’ll likely be paid.  There are no genuine reasons I can think of to not do one. At worst, you find out if the actual job is something you won’t enjoy and move on before burying yourself under a completed degree.  At best, you lay the foundations for your dream job and have security in your final semesters knowing your future is secured all while being more knowledgeable in class and likely a bit richer.  It’s a no brainer.

Is there anything that you would do differently if you had it to do all over again?

I would have done more to learn about the physics of aircraft and structure than looking like the noob that I did at first.  A bit of eagerness and more independent study on aircraft physics would have gone a long way.  It places you a bit behind the curve of where full time engineers are, but it’s possible to catch up.

Go in enthusiastic, be open to new ideas and be prepared to swallow your pride.  No matter how smart or clever you think you are, there is someone you will work with that will blow you away.  Be prepared to accept other ideas and have yours shot down, and don’t take anything personally.  It is the bottom line that is cared about most, not feelings.  But by meeting this different perspective head on and embracing it, you will go a lot further both professionally and socially.

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by eraucso on April 2, 2012  •  Permalink
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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Lauren Guddahl

Lauren Guddahl, BS Aerospace Engineering

In fall 2010, Lauren Guddahl left the United States for Germany to complete an unforgettable engineering internship with MTU Aero Engines. During her time in Germany, she had the chance to learn the culture and the language while gaining new computer skills, exposure to the working world, and practical experience. This past fall, Lauren decided to complete a second internship, this time with United Continental Holdings, dba United Airlines as an Aircraft Structures Intern. Both of these experiences have given Lauren knowledge and perspective that she would likely not otherwise possess, along with some great stories to share in future interviews.

What motivated you to do an internship abroad with MTU Aero Engines?  

In May 2010, I did a study abroad program in Siena, Italy through Embry-Riddle.  I have always loved to travel, and I absolutely fell in love with Italy and the idea of exploring the rest of Europe.  The experience was one I can never forget and definitely changed my life for the better.  Once I returned, however, I decided to focus more on school and my career.  In doing this, I began to actively search for internships.  I was initially searching for something during the summer or spring as I thought I was too late for the fall, but I found out that MTU Aero Engines was still searching for an intern, so I looked into it more closely.  The idea of returning to Europe was extremely enticing, and as I researched the company itself, I became more and more interested in working there.  I know I never would have even considered it if it had not been for the study abroad in Italy, but I still wasn’t too sure about moving to a country where I didn’t know anyone or speak the language!  I applied anyway, and I was ecstatic when I was offered the position.  I had neglected to tell anyone I had even applied for an internship (let alone one in Germany!) so after sharing and discussing the awesome news with my parents, some close friends, and the intern who was working at MTU at the time, I knew that I had to take advantage of such an opportunity.

Did you have any challenges to get visas or work authorization from Germany?

As a U.S. citizen, the visa process for working in Germany was theoretically simple.  There is a German consulate in Miami that can issue visas in a few weeks as long as they have proof that I would be working for a company.  While this seemed relatively simple, it was time consuming as I was not able to get proof of my work authorization until I had an official contract and filled out some other documents.  Once I received the contract and other documents, however, I reached my first obstacle: everything was in German!  I unfortunately did not have any knowledge of German prior to this experience, so I was starting to become more and more nervous about the whole ordeal.  Eventually, though, I managed to translate the documents and get everything sent back to MTU, who then was responsible for submitting a request for work authorization on my behalf.  I was told it would take about a week for everything to be processed so that I could apply for my visa, but it took much longer than that because all of the documents had to be originals.  As my start date approached, I thought about backing out so many times.  I was worried about so many things that I look back at now and can’t help but chuckle.

Initially, I was supposed to start working on September 1st.  With the delay in getting my work authorization, I had to push that back until October 1st.  In the interim, I still had not gotten that ever so important document that would allow me to apply for my visa, which was still going to take a few weeks to process.  After speaking with my Human Resources contact at MTU and a few phone calls to the German Embassy, I learned that I could get my visa in Germany on the same day as long as I had the aforementioned work authorization document.  By this time, however, I had already gone back home to New York as summer classes had ended.  In the confusion of trying to get everything ready for moving to Munich for the next five months and going back home, my work authorization had finally been delivered, but to Florida two days before I was supposed to leave for Germany.  Luckily, I was able to have it overnighted to me so I could actually get my visa once I arrived there.

The place I had to go once I was in Germany to get my visa was called the KVR.  I had every intention of getting there first thing in the morning the day after I landed in Germany as I was told it was similar to a DMV structure, but I had the wrong directions to get there!  Munich has an extremely convenient transportation network and it was easy to find where I wanted to go, but I had the wrong address to begin with.  After walking around the neighborhood I thought it was in for a good hour, I finally mustered up some courage to ask someone for directions.  Ordinarily, I would have asked much sooner, but knowing nothing more than basic words in German, my communication skills were extremely limited.  It was an amusing process of pantomiming and pointing, but eventually I ended up in the right place and I was able to get my long sought after visa.  However, the visa was only good for four months.  Once I started working, I had to show that I had entered the country and my visa had been approved in order for MTU to obtain another work authorization document for me which would allow me to extend my visa for the duration of my internship.  At the time, the entire visa process was one of the most stressful and nerve wrecking things I had to deal with.  As I look back on it now, though, the entire thing seems amusing to me as the five months I stayed in Germany working with MTU were some of the most unforgettable experiences!

Tell us about your learning experience, both professionally and personally. Did you find it difficult working/living in a foreign country without speaking the language?

I learned so much more than I could have possibly imagined working at MTU. While I had worked in an office before, this was my first experience working in a technical position.  At first, I was extremely frustrated because I felt that I knew nothing useful to contribute.  While the people in my department were extremely friendly and helpful, it was clear the preferred language was German, which I knew very little of.  As time went on, however, I adapted to my surroundings.

My daily tasks varied from day-to-day after the first few weeks.  I was initially responsible solely for learning UniGraphics, a CAD program similar to CATIA.  Once I mastered the program, I was given various assignments to create new parts, update older ones and their drawings.  After I became more familiar with the company and the manufacturing process, I was given other tasks that would require me to speak with the machinists to collect data from the production floor.  I would then compile this information into an Excel sheet or a PowerPoint presentation.  Other projects I worked on consisted of translating information from German to English.  One of the neat things about working for MTU was that I learned how a company functions, especially when they have branches in different locations.  The production headquarters for MTU is located in Munich, but they have parts being made in Poland as well.  This made it essential for documents used by both branches to be in English as it had been deemed the official language of MTU.

I also enjoyed the work environment at MTU.  There were many facilities available for workers such as a gym, library, and a supermarket.  There was only one cafeteria within a reasonable distance for employees without a car, which was on the “campus,” but it had amazing food for a subsidized cost.  At least once a week, traditional German food was served, which allowed me to try a new cuisine without spending too much money.  Scheduling was extremely lax compared to the work structure most people are familiar with: 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.  The only thing that mattered at MTU was that you had an average working time of 35 hours per week.  This was especially nice since I would occasionally have a project that I would work on for several days without seeing daylight, but then I could have a three or four day weekend without taking any time off.

While I did learn a lot of technical terms and about the manufacturing process, I learned much more about myself as an individual.  I have always been rather independent, but I never realized how much I could do on my own if I had to.  I also never appreciated how much I do need people.  I wouldn’t classify myself as a loner by any standard, but I do enjoy time to myself more than most people deem reasonable.  Being forced to be alone, however, was a completely new concept for me and one I most definitely did not enjoy.

Additionally, I discovered how nice complete strangers could be.  Assumptions are made that most people are generally cold to the rest of the world simply because they just don’t care.  While on several of my many weekend trips throughout Western Europe, I was graciously helped by a local (or someone who at least knew the area well enough) when I was looking at a map or clearly lost.  I didn’t even have to ask for help – it was automatically given to me by a passerby who could tell I was a tourist.  When I was stranded at a train station for an evening on my way to Prague, two café owners allowed me to wait inside and gave me a full meal and hot tea even though they were closed because it was cold outside.  While most of us would do these things for people we know, we are less likely to offer our compassion to strangers.  It shocked me how common it was elsewhere, though.  Of course there are those people who wouldn’t help, but I found that most people would and it has become one of my goals to follow that mentality.

When I first arrived in Germany, I was extremely excited about everything that not being able to communicate with people didn’t exactly cross my mind as becoming a difficulty.  After a few days, however, it all hit me at once.  As I mentioned, people at MTU could speak English, but it was not preferred.  When I was involved in a conversation, my co-workers would try to teach me words and phrases, but it was still frustrating for both parties.  It did make things extremely difficult at first, but eventually we found an effective way to communicate.  Outside of MTU, many people could speak English.  I did pick up the important phrases and a bit more of the basic conversations, but I have to admit, if there is one language to know, it is definitely English.  This may be an extremely arrogant viewpoint for all native English speakers, but it is the most commonly spoken language and is the most probable reason for why English speaking countries do not take learning a foreign language as seriously as others in my opinion.  Most of Europe requires two languages to be studied in addition to the native one.

I see that you are doing a second internship with United Airlines currently.  What are the benefits you will take away from these two internships when looking for a full-time career?

My internship with Continental/United (I use the two names with a backslash because I was there during the official time when the FAA approved the merger of the two airlines) in the fall was also an amazing experience.  The opportunities I had from working with them are innumerable.  Having an inside look to what goes on in more than one company gave me a lot of insight on certain aspects regarding daily operational procedures.  While I was treated well at both companies and loved what I was doing in both positions, I definitely felt more involved with Continental/United.  Since I was part of the technical operations department, I was legally considered a Continental employee until the merger was FAA official on November 30, 2011.  Whether this feeling was due to the fact that I could generally understand all of the conversations that took place around me, I had more technical experience at that point, or I was more interested in the structures side of aircraft than engines could all be considered, but it is definitely something that will help me decide what type of full-time position I would like once I graduate.

I believe that having the interview and practical experiences will also assist me in searching for a job because I will have an idea of the general questions an employer might ask me.  I will be able to describe in detail certain projects I worked on, which might give me a leading edge over another prospective employee.  I know I had my doubts about doing both of my internships, but I am more than grateful that I took advantage of the offers because there are so many more things that I learned on my internships that I feel could never really be learned in school.  There is definitely not enough hands on experience when you are in school, and that’s what I valued most about working with MTU and Continental/United.

What advice would you give students who are contemplating doing an internship experience?

DO IT!  There is no substitution for an internship!  I truly believe everyone could gain something from an internship, and I can’t understand why it is not a requirement for all majors to have one.  At orientation my freshman year, one of the speakers told us one thing I will never forget: “There are two things every student should do while in college: a study abroad and an internship.”  I could not agree more with these words, especially now.  The experience, knowledge, and contacts you gain are not comparable to what you learn in school.  It also gives you insight to what you may or may not want to do.  I thoroughly enjoyed using CATIA every day of my EGR 120 class, and I thought my internship with MTU was going to be just as enjoyable.  I did appreciate the experience, but I learned it is definitely not what I want a career in.

The fundamentals and theories are important and essential for getting any position, but experience is also necessary.  While I am aware that most students do not want to postpone graduating a semester later than originally anticipated (I was one of those people not too long ago), it is completely worth it!  You go to school to get a job – if you’re being offered job experience while you are still in school – there is no reason to decline it.  I have too many friends who were extremely successful in school, but they have graduated and cannot secure a job or get accepted into a graduate program because they lack experience.  An internship gives you exactly that!

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by eraucso on February 6, 2012  •  Permalink
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Co-op/Intern Spotlight: Augusto Espinosa

Augusto Espinosa, MS Human Factors & Systems

Augusto Espinosa experienced the best of both worlds during his year-long stint as an Environmental Health & Safety Intern with Momentive Performance Materials in New Smyrna Beach, FL. While many students must wait until after their internship is over to apply the things they learned in the classroom, Augusto’s internship was local, allowing him the opportunity to incorporate experience into the classroom and vice versa on a daily basis.

What’s more, this May, Augusto will be graduating with a Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems and a solid year of work experience in the field he has decided to pursue.

What kind of work did you do as an Environmental Health & Safety/ Manufacturing Intern?

I was in charge of managing the EHS department at a small chemical manufacturing plant. I worked with the plant engineer to re-design different packaging lines and chemical mixing stations. We applied ergonomic principles to make the work areas more efficient and safer for the operators. I was also in charge of conducting numerous audits of the site to ensure that our operations conformed with government regulations. Every week I would be working on a different project.

As a local intern, you were able to take classes while gaining experience. In what ways did this benefit you, both in the classroom and on the job?

Being able to take classes while during my internship was a huge advantage. I would go to class in the morning and work the rest of the day. It was specially rewarding to learn certain concepts and then be to able to test them in a real work environment. Furthermore, I received a considerable number of graduate credits for my internship while getting paid.

What advice do you have for students seeking an internship?

Don’t be afraid to look for internships in different fields. My internship focused mostly on safety. Despite being a Human Factors student, I adapted quite well to the job and I was able to bring something different to the table. My employers really appreciated that.

What are your plans upon graduation?

I have come to really enjoy my work at Momentive. For this reason I hope to be working in safety or industrial engineering after graduation.

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by eraucso on January 30, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on January 30, 2012

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Co-op/Internship Spotlight: Mackenzie Means

Mack Means, BS Aerospace Studies

Mack Means, a senior in the Aerospace Studies program at the Daytona Beach campus, recently completed an internship in the Marketing Planning department at Southwest Airlines. During his internship, Mack was able to apply everything he learned in the classroom, while gaining experience and additional knowledge and skills that will help this A student to be even more successful now that he is back on campus. As a bonus, Mack had the opportunity to travel to some pretty exciting places, work with a lot of fun-LUVing people, and grow, both personally and professionally.

Southwest Airlines internships are pretty competitive. What things helped you to stand out and land the position?

I think the biggest qualities that stood out to Southwest were my leadership experience, knowledge of the aviation industry, and my positive, outgoing attitude.  Many of the interview questions involved my experiences as a leader and working through difficult situations.  They asked about my time with the Orientation Team and my involvements with my fraternity.  Throughout the four months in Dallas, I never met an intern that lacked leadership experience.

During my internship, a vast knowledge of the aviation industry was crucial to being an asset on my team.  While not all Southwest internships require a high level of aviation knowledge, it is important and impressive to understand the competitive landscape of the industry.  Additionally, my outgoing, fun-LUVing attitude helped me secure the position.  Southwest Airlines has a unique company culture and they hire based on those qualities.  Be true to yourself, don’t get too nervous, and have fun!  If you are having fun through the interview process, you will have even more fun as an intern.

 What kind of work did you do as a Marketing Planning Intern?

As a Marketing Planning intern, I had the opportunity to work on many projects with multiple groups on my team.  Some projects involved industry intelligence research, which allowed me to compare Southwest Airlines to the other airlines in the industry.  I followed industry marketing and social media trends to get a better understanding of the industry and bring new ideas to Southwest.   Another project involved research that I conducted with the help of a teammate that was used across the entire Southwest system.  It’s very rewarding to see your hard work pay off and really make an impact at such a large company.  Also, a few of my projects involved analyzing the performance of Southwest using many different measurements.  Overall, I had a wide variety of projects, and no two days were the same.

What skills and knowledge did you gain as a result of your internship?

Thanks to my experience at Southwest, I have an even better understanding of the competitive landscape in the aviation industry.  My opportunities allowed me to gain a broader knowledge of the inner-workings of such a large company.  Not only was I exposed to the Marketing Planning department, but I also saw dozens of aspects of the company through Days-In-The-Field and free travel experiences.  I spent time with the People, Network Planning, Revenue Management, Customer Relations, and Maintenance departments through career shadows.  Additionally, I got to experience the operations side of the company thanks to my free flights and trips to Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Orlando, Austin, South Padre, and Vancouver (via Seattle).  From travel experiences to in-depth knowledge to personal maturation, the amount gained from this experience is immeasurable.

Do you have any advice for students considering applying to Southwest Airlines?

 Educate yourself on the company before you apply.  Just by reading their website and understanding their company culture, you’ve already got a head start.

If you don’t get an internship right away, KEEP TRYING.  Persistence is key.  It took three failed attempts before I received a phone call from Southwest.  Also, be flexible.  Apply for multiple internships with a company and let them help you decide which one would be your best fit.

Smile.  Be courteous and thankful to everyone you speak to or come in contact with.  If you fly somewhere for an interview be patient and kind everywhere you go.  You never know who else is on that plane or in the security line.

Get leadership experience.  Join clubs and organizations and run for office.  Having these experiences not only teach you how to manage your time, but they show your future employer that you can work with others and do great things.

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by eraucso on January 23, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on January 23, 2012

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