Inside the Internship

Inside the Internship: Gabriel Wardall, Lockheed Martin Space

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:27:40 +0000

Inside the Internship: Gabriel Wardall, Lockheed Martin Space Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 11:27

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.

Chart Your Internship Path

The Engineering Career Hub is here to support students every step of the way. From resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs, learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

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Electrical engineering student, Gabriel Wardall, turned community connections into a four-year internship with Lockheed Martin’s Deep Space Exploration division.

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Inside the Internship: Nabor Alvarez, Tensentric

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:57:51 +0000

Inside the Internship: Nabor Alvarez, Tensentric Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:57

Nabor Alvarez
Senior, Integrated Design Engineering
Tensentric Engineering Intern

What started as a simple networking moment quickly became a pivotal connection with a founder of Tensentric for Nabor Alvarez.

Alvarez’s experience at Tensentric was incredibly rewarding. The culture was welcoming, collaborative and fast-paced, which meant that every day brought something entirely new for Alvarez. One day he was conducting user interviews to refine device usability; the next, he was scuba diving to immerse himself in the user experience for another project.

When Alvarez wasn’t in the field, he was diving into design reviews, learning from experienced engineers, and spending hours CAD modeling and prototyping new concepts.

“It felt like each day revealed a new CAD trick, a real-world engineering principle, or a story that reshaped how I thought about design,” he said.

From his time at Tensentric, Alvarez learned that growth doesn’t wait for the “right moment”—it happens in the middle of busy days, unexpected tasks and conversations with the people around you. Every day he learned new tips, applications and backstories.

And all of it began with a single networking moment. Alvarez agreed to meet his TA’s father, not knowing he was one of Tensentric’s founders. That one connection opened the door to an unforgettable experience.

“If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer, it is to take every opportunity to network, because you never know which conversation will change your trajectory,” he said. “At worst, you can walk away with a new connection that could prove valuable down the line.”

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At Tensentric, Nabor Alvarez thrived in a dynamic, collaborative culture where no two days were the same. From conducting user interviews to improve device usability to scuba diving for hands-on user experience, his internship offered unique challenges and rewarding opportunities to innovate.

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Inside the Internship: Darwin Hanson, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:34:06 +0000

Inside the Internship: Darwin Hanson, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:34

Darwin Hanson
Senior, Environmental Engineering
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Environmental Intern

Darwin Hanson embraced the challenge of stepping outside her comfort zone during her internship at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services. While she began the summer with a clear role as an environmental intern, she didn’t let her title limit her experience. Hanson actively sought out projects beyond her direct responsibilities, diving into a variety of disciplines, from environmental site assessments to geotechnical fieldwork.

“You get out what you put in, especially with internships,” she said. “The more energy you put in and the more questions you ask, the more you’ll gain from it. Don’t be afraid to ask for more work or to try something new that seems interesting.”

Throughout the internship, Hanson contributed to Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, gaining firsthand experience interpreting technical data to assess potential environmental risks. But she didn’t stop there—she also joined fieldwork projects, including performing geotechnical soil borings, and exploring areas she hadn’t anticipated working in. These experiences expanded her perspective on the environmental engineering field and opened doors to future possibilities she hadn’t previously considered.

While Hanson gained invaluable technical experience, she also understood that engineering is about more than analysis and data – it’s about collaboration, communication and connection. She made a point to engage with colleagues beyond her immediate team and emphasized the value of asking questions, seeking feedback, and learning from others in the field.

“The best advice I could give is to network and put yourself out there. Ask colleagues to have coffee chats, and talk with them about their experience in the industry or any advice or connections they have,” she said.

Hanson also credited LinkedIn and CU Boulder career fairs for helping her find opportunities, setting goals to apply consistently and reaching out to professionals to learn more about their work.

By the end of the summer, Hanson had not only developed her technical skillset but had also learned how to navigate the professional world with confidence and curiosity. Her initiative, both in the field and in the office, helped her gain more from the experience than she ever expected.

Chart Your Internship Path

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Environmental Engineering student, Darwin Hanson, pushed beyond her environmental intern role at Langan Engineering, taking on diverse projects from site assessments to geotechnical fieldwork to broaden her skills and experience.

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Inside the Internship: Kylie Auerbach, Texas Instruments

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:04:29 +0000

Inside the Internship: Kylie Auerbach, Texas Instruments Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:04

Kylie Auerbach
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Texas Instruments Systems Marketing Engineer Intern

In summer 2025, Kylie Auerbach interned at Texas Instruments as a systems marketing engineer, where she was pushed technically, given a huge amount of autonomy, and understood what it felt like to work on the next generation of semiconductor technology.

“Getting to turn my technical work into tangible assets for the customers was amazing. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and exactly the kind of engineering environment that makes me excited to build a career in this field,” she said.

Whether she was debugging the motor control boards or preparing for a customer webinar, Auerbach saw how valuable she could be to the project by coming in with potential solutions, organized data and next steps ready to go. She liked to stay one step ahead by doing more than what was expected and constantly listening for the next thing she could add value to.

Connecting Beyond the Project

Beyond the technical side, Auerbach emphasized the importance of building relationships.

“I would tell other students to be incredibly intentional about building relationships during their internship,” she said. She set a goal to schedule at least one networking lunch every week, allowing her to connect with engineers and mentors across the company.

“There will never be another time in your career when people are this open and willing to help you – take advantage of it,” Auerbach said.

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Electrical Engineering student, Kylie Auerbach, stepped into the fast-paced world of semiconductor technology as a systems marketing engineer intern at Texas Instruments.

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Inside the Internship: Fernando Picoral, Google

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:37:05 +0000

Inside the Internship: Fernando Picoral, Google Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 09:37

Fernando Picoral
Senior, Computer Science
Google Software Engineering Intern

Designing for Scale at Google

In summer 2025, Fernando Picoral wrapped up his third internship at Google, where he learned that great engineering is as much about “designing for others” as it is about writing code. Over the years, he’s discovered that the best software doesn’t just work well – it scales, evolves and empowers others to build on top of it.

“Designing reliable systems isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about creating solutions that can evolve over time and communicating clearly so others can build on them,” he said.

At Google, Picoral found himself doing far more than debugging or implementing features. He spent time drafting technical design documents, weighing trade-offs and defending his decisions in design reviews, all while learning to communicate ideas clearly across teams.

Picoral encourages other students to embrace challenging projects and approach them with curiosity.

“Treat every internship like an opportunity to learn how the industry really works, both technically and collaboratively,” Picoral said. “Focus on writing clear design documents and asking thoughtful questions early, even before you start coding.”

In addition, Picoral has pushed himself by taking ownership of big projects, as he believes that this is where the best learning occurs – by stepping outside of your comfort zone.

“Seek feedback, iterate often, and remember that great engineers combine technical depth with strong communication and teamwork,” he said.

Having that mindset paid off. After three summers at Google, Picoral received a full-time offer to return as a software engineer after graduation.

Landing Your Dream Internship

Picoral’s journey with Google began before he ever set foot on the CU Boulder campus. He had dreamed of working there since high school — he was drawn to technology and, he admits, inspired by the movie The Internship.

During his first year at CU Boulder, he applied early to a handful of big tech companies, determined to make that dream a reality.

“For my first Google internship in 2023, I applied as soon as applications opened,” Picoral said. “I interviewed in January and received my offer at the end of the month.”

That first role came through the Student Training in Engineering Program (STEP), a Google initiative designed for first- and second-year students. The experience became the foundation for his future internships, giving him the chance to grow both technically and professionally.

Finding Mentorship and Support

Picoral credits his preparation and success to both mentorship and consistent practice.

“One of my freshman-year roommate’s dads worked at Google for many years,” he said. “He gave me valuable tips and even did a mock interview with me, which really helped me understand what to expect.”

Beyond that, Picoral focused on building a strong resume through meaningful projects and experiences that demonstrated his skills in action.

Chart Your Internship Path

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In his third Google internship, Fernando Picoral learned that great engineering goes beyond coding—it’s about designing systems that scale, evolve, and empower others.

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