AFOTEC launches student intern program

  • Published
  • By Katherine C. Gandara
  • Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Chief of Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is partnering with the University of New Mexico here for a student intern program. The program is aimed at recruiting and training candidates for potential employment opportunities either within AFOTEC, the Air Force or other government service. 

The program also exposes selected UNM students to the Air Force and to government service while using their education and developing skills to bolster the organization's overall capability. Specifically, AFOTEC will focus on exposing students to operational testing of weapon system capabilities.

"The AFOTEC Intern Program offers a unique opportunity to infuse up-to-date education and skills into the organization and to mentor outstanding citizens for future employment, not only with AFOTEC but also within the U.S. government," said Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant, AFOTEC commander.

"AFOTEC has benefited from individuals' contributions from similar informal programs in the past and this prompted me to make the program more formalized and repeatable," he said. 

The program, which started July 1, works with UNM to recruit students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a four-year degree program particularly in the areas of math, science or engineering. While still in the initial stages, the intent of the program is to expose participating students to government service, particularly in shortage career fields.

"Initial contact was made with the UNM vice provost for academic affairs and the engineering department to discuss the intern program," said Lt. Col. Randee Kaiser, AFOTEC director of manpower and personnel. "AFOTEC is currently advertising available positions. Additionally, we are refining the memorandum of agreement between AFOTEC and UNM regarding support for the program."

"We will coordinate activities with various UNM departments in order to capitalize upon opportunities to attend job fairs, distribute informational pamphlets, and actively recruit qualified students. The school year just started and we expect our publicity campaign to generate more interest," Colonel Kaiser said. 

Participating students will be given the opportunity to work in different areas of the organization to increase their overall knowledge of AFOTEC's operational test and evaluation mission. Each student will have a daily mentor and a senior mentor to ensure their duties complement their degree tracks while allowing them to infuse their educational knowledge and skills into their respective work areas.

Incoming interns will work primarily within AFOTEC's intelligence, analyses, and assessments directorate at its Kirtland headquarters. The program seeks students majoring in math, operations research, physics, industrial engineering and computer science, with an emphasis in modeling and simulation. 

"This is a synergistic program for promising University of New Mexico students to explore cutting edge research and development opportunities in the federal sector ranging from military service to federal civilian employment," General Sargeant said.

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