Rewrite Launch your STEM career: a unique gateway into scientific research with Naval Research Laboratory internships this news headline for the science magazine post

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Each summer, students from across the country begin internships with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), gaining hands-on experience in science and technology. These internships take place at various NRL locations, including sites along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, and Monterey Bay in California. Each hoping for career growth that will take them to new horizons.

“I worked on a mission CubeSat design project with a team of interns and researchers,” said Miina Anvelt, a mechanical engineering major at the California Institute of Technology, recalling her internship with NRL’s Spacecraft Engineering and Ocean Sciences Divisions.

In high school, she participated in the SEAP Program and switched to the Pathways internship program for the summer before her freshman year in college. She is gaining real-world experience by not just observing but actively engaging in meaningful hands-on research. 

“I learned a lot about communication systems, orbits, and how to fit important technology into a very small spacecraft. It was a hands-on experience with real spacecraft hardware, like GPS receivers and small computers; it helped me understand how everything works together.” Anvelt has had the opportunity to work on different projects at NRL throughout her internships. “In the summer before that I contributed to a Venus exoskeleton project. The idea behind the project was proof of concept for an exoskeleton suit design that would be able to withstand harsh conditions on Venus.”

As one of NRL’s student program coordinators, Erica Deschak-Joya works with between 300 and 400 students, postdoctoral associates and faculty members a year.

“These programs offer students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, with real-world applications that not only contribute to national defense but also lay the foundation for future careers in science and technology,” Deschak-Joya said. “It’s truly rewarding to watch students like Miina grow and thrive, turning their internships into a springboard for future innovation.” 

Mentors play a crucial role in the success of the internship program. They provide guidance and support by helping interns find the right fit within the organization, especially at large, complex research environments like NRL with approximately 17 scientific disciplines ranging from electromagnetic and undersea warfare, battlespace environments, and space research.

“We want the students to help with the Navy mission, so we give them tasks that help increase the level of technology readiness,” said NRL Oceanographer Damien Josset, Ph.D., and one of Miina’s mentors. “Overall, I trust them and allow them to advance at their own pace. That has amazing value.”

Anvelt credited her mentors with shaping her academic and career path. “I think my mentors have been very helpful in shaping some of my choices, both in terms of my major and my research interest,” she said. “They’ve been very supportive, answering questions about how research works and introducing me to the whole process.”

“Miina worked on a specific project. A space suit to make it simple. She also helped me work on a proposal, which reduced my workload by quite a bit,” Josset said. “I was able to submit three proposals when Miina was here. One of them was a project for a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) lidar. With the interns, I want them to learn something and have fun while doing it. So, if that’s what they are looking for, then we are a good place to work.”

Anvelt said she also values the opportunities she has gained – such as forming connections and networking with other professionals and labs within the organization. She is encouraged to meet with other students and researchers.

“What most appeals to me about NRL is the research environment and the people that I’ve been able to meet and collaborate with,” she said.

Students working at NRL have the opportunity for career development as they navigate their future career paths. They receive feedback, advice, and opportunities that contribute to projects that could lead to publications or further professional engagement.

“It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience from a young age, with research that’s going on and that’s really impacting the scientific community,” Anvelt said. “A lot of the research that NRL does is looking towards the future and creating solutions for upcoming problems.”

NRL researchers encourage students in the internship programs to take on research projects that have the possibility to published or presented at awards ceremonies, giving them a sense of achievement and a strong foundation for their future careers.

“This summer, I’ll work with the Naval Research Laboratory at the Stennis Space Center,” Anvelt said. “One of my main goals is to keep doing research and apply the knowledge I’ve gained as a mechanical engineer to help investigate the behavior of systems and design solutions to engineering problems through the advancement of mechanical innovations.”

NRL participates in several Student Programs, each with their own features and requirements. Select a program for more information and learn how to apply for each one. Additional questions may be directed to the NRL Human Resources Office at nrl_hroservicedesk@us.navy.mil.

NRL partners with a wide variety of internship programs across multiple disciplines, in scientific research, engineering, and technology development: 

• Deaf in DoD Student Intern Program [PDF] 
•  National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships
•  Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP)
•  Pathways Internships
•   Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP)
•  Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program
•  Naval STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) 
• STEM Student Employment Program (SSEP)
•  Student Volunteers
•  Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) 

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.

For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil. Please reference package number at top of press release.

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