By MC3 Brian H. Abel  

Students from area high schools speak to NPS faculty about varied future internship opportunities during a meet and greet in Reed Hall, Jan. 6. NPS STEM Internship Coordinator Alison Kerr manages the program.
 
"Today, we invited 140 high school applicants to come and meet potential NPS faculty mentors that have projects they would like help with," said Kerr. "We have everyone come and meet each other in hopes of solidifying mentor-to-intern opportunities for the kids during the summer."
 
Kerr says these NPS internships may be the first time students have been exposed to a professional, academic environment.
 
"We do a lot of work on professional development, which is brand new for these kids," said Kerr. "In addition to new relationships that will help them in their own academic careers, they get experience doing hands-on research, and relevant naval research. They learn the implications of their actions and how to approach professionals and ask questions when they work on an extensive research project."
 
Former intern and Stevenson High School senior George Young decided on his college major due to his experience.
 
"By the end of my summer internship I fully decided that I wanted to major in computer science, which I think was the greatest thing I received from my internship," said Young. "The professional environment I was exposed to was very important, because in your first job you won't be shocked … Having this experience was very valuable to me, and I very much look forward to doing it again this year!"