National Intern Day 2023: The NAF Student and Alumni Internship Connection

National Intern Day is a time dedicated to celebrating the next generation stepping into our nation’s workforce – designated on the last Thursday in July. America’s future leaders are sitting in today’s classrooms, but too many young adults are entering the workforce without the skills they need—and our nation’s companies need—to be successful. The good news is that we have the power to change all of that, as stakeholders can come together through the worlds of education, business, community, policy, and more, to advocate for work-based learning opportunities and internships that will better prepare students for their next steps after high school.

As a bonus, NAF knows that the student story doesn’t end at high school graduation and continues to provide support for alumni, as they enter into college and careers. A unique opportunity for NAF college-aged alumni over the last couple of years has been to act (and be compensated for their time) as internship facilitators with NAF and dedicated partner, RTX, though their Future Ready Engineers (FRE) program. This summer’s outstanding group of ten NAF alumni, who are majoring in STEM-related fields, shared their knowledge, experience, and mentorship with the most recent cohort of student interns – close to 200! Sixty RTX employees volunteered as mentors, and also offered mentorship to the NAF Alumni FRE Facilitators. Zooming in from all over the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and more, they all offered their insights and perspectives, and helped to guide both NAF students and alumni, with their individual pathways. A win-win all around!

NAF has witnessed firsthand the value that student interns can bring to the table from day one, as they are exceptionally prepared from their career-relevant coursework, exposure to work-based learning, and interactions with business professionals. Additionally, working with a national partner, such as RTX, allows industry leaders to begin shaping their talent pipelines early on – when students are making key decisions about their futures and what careers they want to pursue.

Below is a closer glimpse of a variety of spectacular intern and NAF Alumni FRE Facilitator accounts this summer with NAF and RTX: 

Aashna G. (NAF Alumna and Student at San Jose State University): “As I embark on new adventures, I carry with me the lessons learned, the connections made, and the fond memories of my time at NAF and RTX. I am hopeful that our paths will cross again in the future.”

Aayush B. (NAF Student at John Burroughs High School): “I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire RTX and NAF team for giving me this valuable opportunity to grow and learn in such a supportive and inspiring environment. Reflecting on this internship, I can say that I’ve grown both personally and professionally. From honing my technical skills to understanding the importance of teamwork and communication, every experience has been invaluable.”

Audry R. (Aspiring Engineer): “The knowledge and insight that I have gained from all the guest speakers have been so valuable. They have helped me to understand the engineering field from a new perspective and have allowed me to expand my knowledge!”

Gabriel L. (NAF Alumnus and Student at the University of Florida): “Being a Team Facilitator for the Future Ready Engineers (FRE) program has been a privilege, working alongside 20 talented high school interns from across the country, striving to make a meaningful impact.”

Luci M. (NAF Student at John Burroughs High School): “Before this internship, the engineering world was largely a mystery to me. After the wonderful opportunity to ask questions and learn about individuals’ experiences, that mystery has evaporated.”

Additionally, RTX helped to power 8 Future Ready Labs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico this summer, providing paid internship opportunities to more than 250 students!

Learn more about how to get involved today!