Testimonials

In their own words, read about some of the exciting projects on which former interns worked…

As an intern, I worked closely with a company in Albuquerque, NM. It [was] a technology company that was investigating a new boride semiconductor that is able to sustain beta radiation without damage. My main assignment was to research this technology and analyze its applicability with Plutonium-238 for better efficiency and use in space. I came up with a research proposal and presented it to representatives from two companies. We are now in the process of drafting a matrix of test parameters and hopefully we'll begin neutron flux testing with one of the company’s neutron generator in the near future. I also researched and wrote briefs about novel energy conversion devices from the 2004 Space Technology & Applications International Forum to see if the DOE [Department of Energy] should fund any projects. Lastly, I proposed new specs for the Pu238 fuel modules used in the General Purpose Heating Source (GPHS).
My goals this summer were to run experiments which tested the density of NiCl2 in solution at various temperatures, pressures, and concentrations, and then use this data to calculate thermodynamic information.
My title was Research Analyst. I analyzed project and earned value management documents/manuals for conciseness and clarity for OECM project implementation. I also traveled as an ambassador of OECM to several DOE science laboratories where I toured, observed and reported observations of DOE cutting-edge technology to my mentor. I was also able to participate and contribute to an External Independent Review (EIR) of DOE's ZR-Project at a laboratory in Albuquerque, NM. I was assigned the task of determining procedures to be used in accomplishing objectives and establishing milestones for the resolution of project management problems, with the focal point being "lessons learned" taken from conference participants to better understand the weaknesses as well as strengths in the project management processes.
I conducted a presentation on interconnection standards of Distributed Generation (DG) resources to the main grid; Reported on issues revolving around Combined Heat and Power (CHP); Wrote a comparison report of 3 High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) cable projects; Conducted statistical analysis for an extrapolation report on employing low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) rectifier engines in the telecom industry; Conducted a presentation and wrote a report on Advanced Metering Technology.

Wondering whether your internship experience will be worthwhile? See what former interns had to say…

I am an Industrial engineer by major and I was able to work with logistics and systems engineering, which is right along with IE. I also would like to add that it [the internship] helped me get away from the pure engineering side of things. I am interested in more of an engineering management career and the DOE is a great place to be for that.
The work that I did this summer related pretty much to what my major is because I had to do a lot of brain storming, presentations and proposal writing for activities that were held at the lab this past summer and for some that are to come in the future.
I am a physics major and a space enthusiast. I could not have found a better office to work in for the summer. Although most of the people here are engineers, there is one physics PhD and most of the material I worked on was directly related to what I learned in school just last semester. It was also great to work with NASA because someday I hope to work there.
This work was related to my major of chemical engineering because in this field of study it is important to understand the properties of chemicals and their interactions with solvents, specifically water.
It matched my academic preparation and reconfirmed my interest to work in the field of environmental management.
The reports and presentations that I worked on are definitely related to my academic major. Perhaps I could have done more technical work, but overall the assignments were good matches for my major and professional area of interest.
The work was not related to my major but I was open to it as a long term interest. The work was interesting and fun, and gave possibilities for future advancement. I was ready for any subject matter.