Guest post from Rebecca Medina, Director of the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Office of University Programs
For some students, summertime means a much-awaited break from poring over textbooks. Maybe it means working a random job in your hometown, traveling with friends and family, or taking it easy. But if you want to be a future leader in homeland security, then summertime is a chance to get ahead. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable experience—connecting with real-life national security experts and paving the way for a bright career, while also making important contributions to ongoing research efforts.
S&T actively fosters the next generation of homeland security professionals through workforce development initiatives. These programs are incredibly beneficial for both the participating students and the overall security of our nation, and this win-win situation is epitomized by the Homeland Security Professional Opportunities for the Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER) Program.
Through HS-POWER, students in relevant fields of study—such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are able to support research projects that further the S&T mission while gaining valuable experience and insight. Graduate and undergraduate students selected for this summer internship program come from a variety of personal and educational backgrounds and are embedded across S&T’s Centers of Excellence, Technology Centers, and Office of Mission & Capability Support, as well as throughout the Department of Homeland Security’s components.
There are currently 31 ambitious HS-POWER interns around S&T helping solve some of our most pressing challenges of today and preparing to meet the emerging challenges of tomorrow. Every student is matched with a federal mentor who advises on their research project. These projects touch upon a broad spectrum of topics vital to the security of our nation like cybersecurity and disaster resilience. Summer 2022 topics of research include quantum networks and related technologies, human systems integration design, and enhanced project reporting for maximum impact.
HS-POWER interns begin working in late May/early June for ten weeks, so we are already well into our 2022 session. Semester opportunities are also available. Students receive a weekly stipend and may receive additional benefits such as a housing allowance based upon their specific project.
The current class of students from around the nation is richly diverse and includes students from Penn State University, Brown University, and California State University, Los Angeles. We will feature some of these rising stars on social media in the coming weeks, so be sure to follow @DHSSciTech on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to meet the future of homeland security!
For more information about our Office of University Programs and workforce development initiatives, you can visit our web page.
You can also check out the application criteria for HS-POWER and get ready to apply for 2023.