http://www.defense.gov/

Department of Defense

DCAIP Intern

May - December 2021 • Quantico, VA

What I liked

I liked that I was a government employee learning about the ins-and-outs of the government. I learned about contracting which is something I didn't even know existed before this internship. I was also given advice, tips, and guidance on my resume, interviewing skills, and my options when it came to my future.

What I wish was different

I wish certain aspects like obtaining CaC cards and government laptops didn't take so long.

Advice

Go in with an open-mind! You'll learn a lot of new things and meet so many new people. Listen to what everyone has to say because there's always a piece of advice to be taken away.
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Forensic Analyst Intern

July - August 2021 • Fort Gillem, GA

What I liked

I had the chance to learn from the country's premier forensic analysts working for the Department of Defense. I was introduced to a ton of forensic analysis techniques and got to see how a case is solved from proper sample collection to proper analysis after it's sent to the lab. We discussed some case studies which exposed me to the reality of the forensic field and crime as a whole in our society, and more specifically in our military.

What I wish was different

I wish there was a little more hands-on. A lot of the internship dealt with sitting through powerpoint presentations. Having the internship be more interactive would have been great.

Advice

Take advantage of the chance to broaden your network and listen to people's experiences that brought them to where they are today. I met so many people, both military and civilian, with all kinds of backgrounds and connections. Many of them shared that they did not start off with studying forensics but explained their path to how they got where they currently were. This opened my eyes to so many of the possibilities that exist. I was also sure to keep a log of all the people I met and their contact information.
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Student Trainee

June - August 2021 • Florida City, FL

What I liked

Hands on experience in projects

What I wish was different

Increased travel opportunities

Advice

Be ready for anything and up for a challenge!
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Intern

May - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The community

What I wish was different

More in person

Advice

Reach out and don’t be shy
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software test engineer intern

May 2021 • Virginia Beach, VA

What I liked

Great leadership team and mentorship

What I wish was different

more flexibility within career paths

Advice

Highly recommend this experience to other students. If you are interested in longterm employment, consider the SSEP internship which offers non-competitive hiring at the completion of your education.
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Officer Candidate

November 2012 • Quantico, VA

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Officer Candidates' School is a requirement to commission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
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IT Consultant Intern

June - August 2018 • Camarillo, CA

What I liked

Taught me alot about the physical layer of the OSI model.

What I wish was different

I was covered in drywall while terminating CAT6 Ethernet patch cables.

Advice

IT is fun as long as you do your best.
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Researcher

May - August 2019 • Laurel, MD

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

If you would like to apply, start planning a year in advance.
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Sustainment Intern

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Everyone was super nice, I got to really immerse myself in the office and learn about the DOD’s structure and bureaucracy.

What I wish was different

I was their first intern so they weren’t prepared with what interns should be doing.

Advice

Make sure you go out of your way to ask for ways you can be useful, the most knowledge I got was from putting myself out there and networking.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - August 2019 • San Antonio, TX

What I liked

How much I learned about physics.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have worked there longer.

Advice

Sign up for everything because you never know who is going to hire you.
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Systems Engineer

June - August 2019 • Springfield, VA

What I liked

Friendly co-workers! Important work.

What I wish was different

More structure and more work.

Advice

Great exposure to the government and stable career path.
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Laborer

June - August 2019 • Anchorage, AK

What I liked

I enjoyed the benefits and work experience. I also enjoyed the salary.

What I wish was different

I wish that people would have taken their job more seriously and worked more effectively.

Advice

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Pathways Intern

June - September 2019 • Redstone Arsenal, AL

What I liked

Learning about government professions and contracting.

What I wish was different

Longer period of work time and more opportunities to return for work.

Advice

Be prepared to work and always be willing to help and open.
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Research Fellow

June - August 2018 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I loved getting hands -on experience and living in DC.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed longer.

Advice

Network! Network! Network
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Intern for Office of Military Commissions

June - August 2018 • Arlington, VA

What I liked

Great people I worked with

What I wish was different

Travel to work took a lot of time

Advice

Enjoy every moment of it!
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