FIRST STEPS
Internships are still a valuable experience for students seeking to get their foot in the door. “The opportunity with this company was just a true blessing and surprise when I received a call from Mr. Kevin Mims, who is the owner of the engineering business, asking if I had time to interview with them. I jumped on this offer…,” said Hall of what evolved into his first internship experience. In early summer, Hall said he was expecting that the internship would provide him with “a true experience in the workforce” especially related to his major. “I want to be able to help out the company in any way that I can, but I really want to learn. I want to be able to learn, whether it is through mistakes or just talking to anyone in the company to gain knowledge from them,” said Hall, adding that his colleagues are always passing information on to him. “I also want to have a good work environment and enjoy what I do every day.” He expressed his appreciation to MIMS engineering “because they have accepted me with arms wide open and are constantly helping me through their processes and procedures.” Hall advises students interested in interning not to give up under any circumstance, especially if an internship isn’t offered. “Do not give up or be discouraged. Keep working hard and keep seeking other opportunities. Another thing is to use your resources and get your information out because once your information is out, there is no telling whose lap it could easily fall into.”
do both good and bad. Be confident in who you are and know someone needs you and your abilities in their company,” he said.
CHANTELLE WILLIAMS Chantelle Williams is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering and mathematics at Alabama A&M University. However last summer, the 21-year-old Williams ventured into research, interning at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. Her reason for interning for the first time was “to prepare and increase my professional knowledge base.” “I was able to secure this opportunity through my professor Dr. Mebougna Drabo. He recommended me for this professional internship as well as for the BEYA Student Leadership Award [which I won],” she said.
Williams expects to graduate in spring 2023. She said after graduation, she plans on applying to become an officer in the United States Air Force “as well as furthering my studies by seeking to earn my master’s or doctorate degree in aerospace engineering.” She suggests that others with high academic and professional goals “never give up on what you want to achieve and to never lose sight of your dreams.” S
Hall’s final piece of advice is to have fun throughout the process “…even though it is difficult sometimes enjoy every moment and learn from everything you 20
James Hall, AAMU
Williams’ goal in interning was “gaining a wealth of knowledge on various methods on how to use different forms of design software used in the engineering field and the necessary skill set required to secure a lucrative and affluent future for a career in the mechanical engineering industry.”
USBE & Information Technology | ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE 2022
Chantelle Williams, AAMU
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