Francis Lionel Jr.  | Industrial Engineer Intern

Business Unit: Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
University: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University  
Degree Program: B.S. in Industrial Engineering

What program and team are you a part of, and what kind of work are you doing?
I am part of the 777X program in St. Louis, working in the Production Engineering department as an Industrial Engineer. I’m currently supporting the rudder and elevator production lines. The work includes providing lineside support, developing and maintaining operating plans, supporting master schedule revisions, performing data analytics to support process improvements, and more.

How did you hear about Boeing’s internship opportunity and why did you decide to apply?
I wanted to get my foot in the door of a big aerospace company. Early in my college career, I’ve always had an interest in Boeing from the many competitions they’ve held and I’ve participated in; my latest one being the flight competition they held at the National Society of Black Engineers convention. Conventions were also how I heard more about their internship opportunities and influenced me to apply.

What excites you the most about Boeing’s mission and in what ways is your team making a real-world impact?  
Millions of people travel by plane every day and Boeing plays a crucial part. My team is making a real-world impact by making sure the production of the 777X wings are up to code and safe for future assembly to the 777X fuselage. We keep the production line connected by analyzing the metrics of the overall production of the 777X wings and make sure production stays healthy and moves accordingly.

What has been your favorite experience so far?
Being able to volunteer for Boeing in the St. Louis community for a Juneteenth event. Many local businesses came out to showcase themselves and I also got to meet Congresswoman Cori Bush.

In what ways do you feel support from your team at Boeing?
Any question I may have, my colleagues can provide an answer. If I am ever curious about a job being done somewhere in the building, they can help connect me with the right people to learn more.

How has your internship shaped your educational and career goals?
My internship helped me see where I could take my career upon graduation. Boeing allows you to fulfill your curiosity and do work that may be different from what you learned in school. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in interning at Boeing?
Be that curious intern eager to learn more. You have access and the ability to be in contact with anyone in the company. Reach out to as many people as possible and learn as much as you can. Ask those questions that you might have thought were silly. Do your best and, most of all, enjoy your time here. This is a very rewarding opportunity, so take advantage of every moment.