Research at the Ben T.

Zinn Combustion Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Calvin B.

My summer Junior Fellowship Experience was having the honor of interning at the combustion laboratory at

Georgia Tech. My mentor was Mr. David Wu, the assistant director of combustion group research operations. The

three main responsibilities I was tasked with included the redesign of the labs igniter, the assembly of a test stand,

and the assisted reassembly of a combustion rig. Soft skills that I learned and improved upon during my internship

included etiquette, professionalism, and time-management. Hard skills included research and product designing.

Equipment and software that I utilized included CAD, SolidWorks, and the combustion rigs. While I did not use

CAD and SolidWorks directly, I occasionally assisted graduate students with their models or used the models in my

research over the igniter I had redesigned. One of the most important parts of operating in the lab was safety. As a

result, I was tasked with attending multiple safety presentations in my first couple of days at the internship. I felt that

my internship at the combustion lab was an incredible and unforgettable experience that will surely benefit me in the

future. This experience has also opened my eyes to the field of combustion as a possible career choice.

Improving my Soft Skills through Working with K-6 Camps at the GEHC

Christian O.

My summer internship was at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC); working with the K-6

summer camp programs. I worked under the mentorship of Catherine Long and the supervision of other GEHC staff.

Before the internship experience took place, I attended a training session where the other interns and I learned how

to handle numerous scenarios that we may encounter while working at the GEHC. My daily duties included

monitoring and interacting with the campers, assisting in the set-up of camps, and performing various tasks for my

mentor like running errands or helping with difficult campers. Through this internship experience I was able to

improve my soft skills such as communication, patience, leadership, teamwork, and work ethic. During several

camps, I had the opportunity to apply my technical skills that I had learned at GSMST. For example, I employed

some of my robotics coding background to help the kids with their LEGO robotics projects. Although I do not plan

to work in an education-related field in the future, the interpersonal communication and leadership skills that I have

developed in this internship will be beneficial for whatever career I choose to go into.

Project Management Internship in Interior Design with D.S. Interiors

Daniela U.
The summer project management internship experience was centered on an interior design project which I

conducted under the guidance of my mentor, Debbie Strickland, founder of DS Interiors. The Dodson residence

project consists of remodeling a home interior to create a personalized style in the living spaces and update the home

expression. I collaborated with the homeowner, contractor, and my mentor to ensure the project is completed on

schedule and in an effective manner. Specifically, my primary duties were to document the projects progress using

a detailed outline and thus compile a project portfolio; this required providing a Gantt chart, using photo

documentation, and contributing to the design. I was also responsible of creating a professional visual of the

kitchens redesign and cabinet layout using the program Chief Architect Interiors X9. Thus, I gained experience in

unique technical skills such as creating floorplans and electrical installation. My mentor also presented me with the

special opportunity to attend the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, a large, informative event

where I became familiarized with the basics of retail. In the end, my experience provided an enlightening

introduction to the aspects of project management as used in the business world.

Web Development and Research at Ssdatainfo Inc.

Ishaan S.

For my internship, I worked at the startup company Ssdatainfo Inc. under the guidance of my mentor Mr. Maninder

Jit Singh. My duties and responsibilities varied between research, learning, and coding. In the beginning, we were

required to research about the processes that help publish and make a website, then learn two of the markup

languages related to those processes that would allow us to make our own website designs. The research gave me

knowledge on how the websites are published and created, while the two markup languages helped me learn basic

coding. Also, whenever my mentor and I did not meet up, we would text or email, leading to an improvement in

communication skills. Even when we meet, we would help each other fix and understand code, which also led to an

improvement in communication. Some of the equipment that was needed for the internship included a laptop with

the program Notepad++, a book and a website that taught HTML5 CSS3, and something to take notes in. Overall,

this experience was unique and provided me with different skills that would help me in the future.

A New Experience at Quantum National Bank

Kamil A.

I completed my internship at Quantum National Bank under my main mentor Ms. Fogarty. Throughout my

internship, I managed multiple projects and worked with other mentors such as Ms. Tami and Ms. Chelsea. Three
primary responsibilities of mine included the completion of three different projects assigned which included going

through small business administration loan files for changes in ownership, making Excel vlookup templates for

differences in both software and testing the new software for any faults. At this internship, I utilized many soft skills

as it was necessary for me to talk, listen, and interact in a professional manner throughout my entire internship.

Different hard skills were also used throughout the entire internship as I worked with Excel and operated a computer

for the entire internship. Technologies and software which were mastered included Excel and two

accounting/banking software, Prologue and Precision. I was invited to the once-a-month staff meeting where I was

introduced in front of all 60 to 70 staff members and also attended a company lunch two weeks later. Through

Quantum National Bank, I was able to gain another experience and learn many different things in relation to banking

and accounting.

Studio Architecture at Louisiana State University

Nasir P.

Through Duke Universitys Summer Studies Program, I took a 3-week residential course on Studio Architecture at

Louisiana State University. Here I spent 108 hours in Architecture Studio 213 sketching, modeling, researching,

designing, drawing, and doing so much more under the guidance of Jesse Reichmeider. During this course, I did a

precedent study on Frank Lloyd Wrights Unity Temple, designed a lounge and community garden that fit together

in an alley between two buildings, created a perfect dorm (because mine sure was not), and sketched enough to fill

my sketch book twice over. In the studio, I used X-acto knives, architectural scales, drafting pencils, SoBo, trace

paper, pin up boards, view finders, and even special pencils shipped in from Japan. Even though these things were

amazing, they do not begin to explain the full weight of my experience. There were carnivals, field days, dances,

ultimate frisbee tournaments, trampoline parks, rashes, a lice epidemic, singing competitions, a baby hurricane that

flooded the campus, a talent show (that I MC-ed) and a plethora more. Even just in class, we visited a stadium, a

literal castle, a ship, and a tigers habitat. Despite all of this, this experience at what might be called Nerd Camp,

changed me as a person and has put me on the path to peruse a masters degree in architecture and hopefully one day

become a licensed architect.

Delta Air Lines-The Hangar: Innovation and Design Center

Tamara K.
This summer, I interned at The Hangar, the innovation and design center for Delta Air Lines located in Technology

Square. My mentor, Veronica Young, is the Customer Experience Designer at The Hangar. The first two weeks of

my internship, I was placed in a program called CEO of My Life which was used as a training session. I learned

about the design thinking process, and applied it to various projects. My third week, I was given the official task to

create something to decrease confusion and difficult flight experiences due to the language barrier. I began with a

competitive analysis regarding other airlines and other products already out there. I also interviewed customers and

flight attendants to better understand my target audience. By the end of my internship, I created several physical and

digital designs based on my research. Along with research skills picked up from my competitive analysis, I also got

to create prototypes, learned how to do official observations, and how to apply the design thinking process. In

addition, I got the experience of working in a professional environment in which I had to work independently.

Overall, I loved this opportunity because of the environment and the pertinent skills I acquired.

Studio Assistant at The Hudgens Center for the Arts

Tristan T.

My internship was completed at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, a pottery studio located near the Gwinnett Infinite

Energy Arena. My mentor was Vernon Smith, a teacher and professional potter at the center. I was a studio assistant

at the center, and many of my duties included jobs such as mixing glazes, loading and unloading kilns, and cleaning

the center. I gained skills such as working in a group, problem solving, setting up events, and mixing chemicals.

While working as a studio assistant, I had to learn several new prices of equipment and the way certain systems

worked. The kiln was the most important task I completed, but also the most dangerous due to how hot it is and that

some pieces can explode. Not only did I learn how to load the kiln, but I also learned how to mix glazes, which is a

very complicated process. By learning how to complete these tasks, I gained valuable knowledge in the fields of

communication, pottery, and the upkeep of a business.