Anxiety and anticipation overflowed in the Commonwealth Ballroom of the Sheraton National Hotel as more than 300 students filed in to receive their assignment information and other logistical details for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program.

In the past, HNIP has placed about 350 students in internships with federal agencies nationwide. This year was no exception and the Defense Logistics Agency will host 11 interns at locations around the country.

The orientation program was a full-day event with a variety of speakers including Manny Medrano, ABC Legal Affairs Correspondent and winner of an Emmy Award and Golden Mike Award. During his address, he encouraged the interns to take advantage of the opportunities during their internship and network with their peers. The interns took Medrano’s words to heart and by the time dinner began, the once quiet ballroom was filled with the buzz and chatter of the college interns. The scene became more like a colllege dining hall and showed signs that the interns were interacting with each other and prepared for the challenges which awaited.

After completing what seemed to be an endless amount of paperwork, new interns had the opportunity to meet their supervisors. DLA interns were greeted by EEO Director Famia Magana, EEO Specialist, Hispanic Program Manager Cynthia Sexton and Michael Morales, corporate intern and former HACU intern from the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia.

The interns were given an overview of the DLA and briefed on their internship duties. They were presented with an information packet to ease the transition. New interns were equipped with the necessary knowledge needed to understand the Agency and effectively contribute to its mission. 

It was a long day for all, but one well worth every second. After the orientation, students were ready to begin work. One intern reported that “now that I know more about the Agency, I just need to get familiar with the whole 8am-5pm thing; much different than college.”

Programs like HACU providing students the opportunity to gain real world experience to become more marketable in the job market and make more informed career decisions.

Currently, DLA has five interns in the Defense Logistics Information Service and the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service both located in Battle Creek Mich., two at the Defense Supply Center Columbus, three at DSCP and another intern at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.

To learn more about the National Internship Program sponsored by HACU or if you are interested in hosting an intern, visit: http://www.hnip.net/

< Back