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Gabriel Wardall
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Lockheed Martin Electrical Engineer Technician

Gabriel Wardall��has used his experience and expertise from all aspects of life to gain career success. Wardall interned with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division for the past four years as an electrical engineer technician, landing the role by giving back to his community. Wardall is a prime example of utilizing your resources and connections wisely.

Wardall attributes his success in landing his internship to networking with next-door neighbors. Reaching out to neighbors in his community for recommendations and reconnecting with neighbors whose lawns he mowed in high school resulted in being able to network directly with managers who had a say in the hiring process. His time and participation in clubs and non-profits further prepared him for landing his internship. A combination of giving back to his community, hard work, and reaching out to anyone he thought could provide a meaningful connection led to his breakthrough.

“It honestly takes so much to get started on communicating or getting a network, but once you get one they can help you in so many ways. I built my network before, during, and after my internship," Wardall said. "You never know who your friends or coworkers know, and it does not hurt to ask.”��

Above all else, Wardall highlights the importance of proving your worth in the workplace. While networking got his foot in the door, working efficiently is what led him to continue interning with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division for four consecutive years.

"Focus on delivering quality work consistently and being someone your team can rely on," Wardall said. "That's what turns a summer internship into a four-year relationship."

Wardall took on a multitude of projects at Lockheed, from building spacecraft simulation hardware to assembling test stands and inflatable habitats. Although his title was Electrical Engineer Technician, shifting priorities and national policy often pushed his work into systems-focused tasks. However, Wardall made do by taking away new experiences with Linux systems, electrical simulation behavior, data analysis and working on multiple projects at once in a corporate environment.��

His involvement in clubs and non-profits during college didn't just build his resume – it expanded his circle of connections and taught him how to work collaboratively.

His four-year journey with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division stands as proof that success comes from the combination of genuine relationships, consistent excellence, and a willingness to take on new challenges, even when they look different than what you originally expected.