Business Unit: Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Location: Everett, Washington
University: Virginia Tech 
Degree Program: M.Eng. in Industrial and Systems Engineering

What program and team are you a part of, and what kind of work are you doing?

I work with the Airplane-Level Engineering and Integration Development Assurance team as a Systems Engineering Intern under Boeing Commercial Airplanes. My team develops processes, tools, data management methods and training needed to successfully achieve development assurance. This includes activities such as validation, verification and change control.

How did you hear about our internships and why did you decide to apply?

I’ve always been aware of Boeing as they’re the world’s largest aerospace company and have been shaping history for many years. Aerospace is one of my passions, and when I heard about this internship through a friend, I wanted to learn more. I went to my school’s career fair to get more information and the discussion I had with the Boeing recruiter helped me decide to apply.

What excites you the most about Boeing’s mission and in what ways is your team making a real-world impact?

What excites me most about Boeing’s mission are the company’s values and the genuine care they have for their employees. The Boeing mission statement is inspiring to me, and I love to see how my team plays a huge role in it. My team holds safety as its number one priority, ensuring the correct development of all processes on Boeing commercial airplanes.

What has been your favorite experience at your internship so far?

All the exposure that I’ve been getting with both engineering testing and with the company in general. There are so many things to explore within Boeing, and the company makes it easy to do so. The hands-on experience has been fantastic, and I love meeting new people every day.

In what ways do you feel support from your team?

My team is great; I love their dynamic. I feel as though I can go to anyone on my team for help and they’ll be there for me. Any questions that I have, they help to the best of their ability. If they don’t know the answer, they immediately connect me to someone who will.

How has your internship shaped your educational and career goals?

Being exposed to so many people and opportunities during my internship introduced me to new possibilities that I did not know existed. Having knowledge of the opportunities available to me within Boeing has reassured me that this is the type of company that I would like to work for. I’m more motivated to continue my education; my dream career in aerospace is waiting for me.

What are your tips for accomplishing your best work?

Time management is key. My best practice is keeping up with my agenda and my calendar. I’d encourage others to do the same. There are so many things to get done but simply not enough hours in the day!

What advice do you have for students who are interested in interning with us?

My advice is to go for it! Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. There are so many people willing to help; you only need to ask. I’m from Virginia and have never been to the West Coast before this internship, but I’m so glad I decided to accept a position in Seattle anyway. I was nervous about moving across the country alone, but by meeting new people and exploring new areas, I was able to quickly create my own support system. My time here has been incredible; I’m so glad that I faced my fears and took the leap across the country!