Celebrating the 2024 Summer Internship Season: Reflections, Successes, and Building on the Experiences for the Future

As the 2024 summer internship season has come to a close, NAF would like to reflect on all the successes and proud moments! As we have witnessed time and time again, high-quality work-based learning is a proven strategy that provides high school students with experiences to identify and achieve career goals, while engaging with industry professionals who are eager to support their unique paths to future success.

Take a look at the highlights below:

Ballmer Group:

The NAF Future Ready Lab in Detroit was made possible through the generosity of the Ballmer Group, and in partnership with JOURNi, a nonprofit that provides a variety of resources, including youth-centered programming courses, to equip individuals with the skills necessary to jumpstart their careers and positively impact the local economy. Over the course of a six-week paid internship, students received the training they needed to develop their mobile apps and participated in a pitch competition.

The winning app, called Seevity, and designed by Reign W. and Selena S., of Central High School, AOIT, connects users to local resources for areas such as housing, jobs, community sources, etc.

NAF Chief Advancement Officer, Valaida Wynn Guerrero, said providing students with opportunities like an internship are central to the organization’s results-driven approach to teaching and learning.

“We know that with greater access to these opportunities, especially for students in under-resourced communities, we can help them move toward a life of upward economic mobility and success, which is our ultimate goal,” she said.

Lenovo:

Lenovo’s hosted 30 NAF interns at their North Carolina headquarters, with students giving presentations at the end of their experience. The event brought together Lenovo and NAF employees, managers, parents, and more. Ryan McCurdy, Senior Vice President, and President of Lenovo North America, addressed the group, sharing his career journey and answering questions.

Joshua W. (Hillside AOF) shared, “I enjoyed the networking aspect of the internship – I feel like I learned a lesson from every person I met at Lenovo…I’m not used to using Microsoft and I was worried, but I got more used to using the programs and everyone on my team really helped me get better. I felt like everyone [at Lenovo] brought me in like a family member and it made it easier for me to learn.”

Sofiya S. (Apex AOIT) emphasized, “I learned how important it is to create accessible products – on how it’s ethnically important. Access to technology is a human right and *every* person should be able to use technology no matter how different they may be in their day-to-day life. It’s the moral thing to do.” 

RTX:

We are excited to announce the successful conclusion of the 2024 RTX Future Ready Labs Internship Programs! The programs for over 60 interns, included participation from multiple RTX site locations, are illustrated below:

• Pratt & Whitney, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 
• Collins Aerospace, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
• Pratt & Whitney, Hartford, CT
• Collins Aerospace, Charlotte, NC
• Pratt & Whitney, Palm Beach, FL
• Collins Aerospace, Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico

RTX Future Ready Engineers (FRE)

All summer long, our talented NAF interns showcased dedication, creativity, and passion, tackling real-world challenges and gaining invaluable experience. Nearly 200 interns and 10 alumni facilitators participated, and we cannot thank them enough for their support.

• Student Quote: “I strongly believe that the experience and certification I have gained through this program will help me a great deal with my future internship and career, when I step into the workforce.” 
• Facilitator Quote: “Working with the interns and overseeing the program’s day-to-day operations was an incredibly rewarding experience, made possible by your unwavering support and expertise. We gained leadership skills and the true meaning of a mentor.” 
• RTX Mentor Quote: “I cannot begin to describe how impressed I am with NAF. Just amazing. The presentations were just amazing, and the peer dialogue and Q&A, just outstanding.” 

Verizon:

NAF Booth at Verizon’s GTS Tech Day – On 7/31, four of our talented NJ interns took center stage at Verizon’s GTS Tech Day, leading a NAF booth where they shared their internship experiences. They discussed their ongoing projects and highlighted the benefits of using KnoPro as a valuable resource. Their host managers were also present, advocating for the significance of hosting high school students at Verizon, illustrating the mutual benefits of this NAF Verizon internship experience. 

Basking Ridge Worksite Tour for NY/NJ NAF Interns – On 8/6, our NY/NJ NAF interns had the exciting opportunity to explore the Basking Ridge worksite, stepping into the shoes of a network engineer for a day. The tour included an up-close look at various cell sites and a visit to the Executive Business Center. It was a day full of learning and networking, as interns mingled with Verizon employees over lunch.

Verizon Internship Closure with Sankaran “Ram” Ramanathan – Before ending their internships at Verizon, Sankaran “Ram” Ramanathan celebrated each cohorts’ dedication and hard work. He expressed his gratitude and asked for their real-time feedback, emphasizing continuous improvement of the NAF Verizon internships. These interactive sessions not only celebrated their achievements but also set the stage for further enhancing this valuable program. 

We look forward to another successful internship season in 2025!