EOL Engineering Intern Tomas Avilez sets up an experiment to locate in-glass-stress off a large optical blank that will be used for a telescope mirror. Avilez is a fourth year undergraduate student from the University of Arizona studying optical engineering and has been working for EOL's Lidar group for the past two summers. His work with the team has been in the area of research and development of next generation lidar systems and the experience he has gained working as an intern at EOL will benefit him as he goes forward with his career goals.

EOL boasts a summer internship program especially designed to provide unique and valuable educational experiences for engineering undergraduate students. Over 20 students have taken advantage of this opportunity since EOL started offering it in 2000.

What does an engineering intern do?

Each intern works with one or two mentors and is assigned several engineering tasks in their respective field of engineering - electrical, mechanical, optical, software or aeronautical. Because much of EOL's work is driven by field deployments, the work is related to developing, improving or deploying our suite of NSF/NCAR lower atmospheric observing facilities (LAOF). In addition, interns get a chance to participate for up to four weeks in one of our NSF-funded research projects.

With guidance from their mentors and other technical staff within EOL, interns are encouraged to come up with their own engineering solutions, often leading to personal and professional growth. While at NCAR, students have access to a large number of resources such as sophisticated testing and calibration instruments, high-level documentation, state-of-the art fabrication capabilities, and extensive engineering knowledge and experience, all of which contribute to their professional development.

How do I apply?

If you are an undergraduate engineering student in electrical, mechanical, optical, software, and aeronautical engineering, submit a resume and a letter of interest, including a field and/or area of interest, via email by February 23, 2007 to:

Gordon Farquharson (gordonf@ucar.edu, 303-497-2011) or
Tom Brimeyer (tbrimeye@ucar.edu, 303-497-8803)

EOL will provide travel support, an hourly wage between $12 and $14 (depending on experience), a housing allowance while in Boulder. While in the field, students are also paid per diem and overtime pay.

What Past Interns Say...

• "Over the course of the summer, I have grown as an electrical engineer in many ways...I could not ask for a more interesting and memorable way to experience how a scientific institution works both in the field and at the office."
  - Sears Merrit, 2003
• "This internship gave me the chance to get out of a classroom and work with some brilliant engineers in a professional atmosphere. I was able to gain perspective on how things like project development, testing, and production are done. I also was able to see how people work under the stress of meeting deadlines."
  - Tom Brimeyer, 2003
• "This experience has helped me gain some perspective in my future career goals...I found that the many things that I may have taken lightly during my studies actually do come to practical use. Now, more so than ever am I seriously considering postgraduate studies."
  - Florence Manega, 2005