As Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University, UCF not only provides world-class education but also prepares students for careers with top companies such as Lockheed Martin.
Through the UCF Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP), undergraduate and graduate students gain real-world skills related to their field of study. This year-round, paid opportunity offers hands-on learning experience while building a strong foundation in Lockheed Martin’s general operations and the daily routines of assigned programs. For many, CWEP sets the stage for a seamless transition into a full-time role at Lockheed Martin, allowing students to contribute immediately thanks to their prior CWEP experience.The program is mutually beneficial, providing Lockheed Martin with fresh perspectives and creative solutions to daily challenges from talented students.
Double aerospace engineering alum Tiana’s journey reflects the power of experience. She started as a CWEP intern before becoming a sustainment engineer associate at Lockheed Martin. While in the program she helped automate and streamline job processes, reducing process times and labor hours. In one project, Tiana worked on integrating a manually intensive daily operation into Lockheed Martin’s asset management system, allowing it to be fully automated and freeing up over 250 hours annually that could be redirected to other assignments.
“UCF’s partnership with Lockheed Martin is very much a pathway to success,” Tiana says. “The CWEP program gave me the experience I needed to become successful in gaining knowledge and expertise in engineering. It is very important these days to have experience in order to apply for any job. The CWEP program led me to gain a summer internship with Lockheed Martin, which then led to them offering me a full-time position at the end of my internship.”
Learn more about Tiana’s experience at UCF and as a CWEP intern.
What first sparked your interest in aerospace engineering?
In my high school physics, class we had an assignment to watch Interstellar and write a paper on what was real physics versus fictional components of the movie. It inspired me to learn more about aerospace engineering and sparked my passion for the industry. Interstellar has been my favorite movie ever since.
Why did you choose UCF to pursue a bachelor’s and then a master’s in aerospace engineering?
UCF is known as SpaceU and has the best resources for me to pursue my career aspirations and goals. I knew that UCF would cater to my needs and lead me to have the most successful career. I was accepted into about eight or nine different universities and looked into every aerospace program. I saw that UCF offered anaccelerated B.S. to M.S. program in aerospace engineering, and I realized I could earn three degrees in five years, including my double major.
Can you talk about a defining moment or project during your time at UCF that shaped your career path?
In your senior year at UCF, you take a yearlong senior design class. I chose to do the Return to Launch Site Rocket Project, which helped me define what I wanted to research for my master’s program. Our project focused on creating a rocket that could reach an apogee of 2,200 feet, transmit first-person views and hit a target during its descent. I was able to create my own rocket and get my level one certification to help build our final rocket. I had such a great time building the rocket, as well as designing and painting it. Our first attempt was a success. I have the rocket in my room as decoration today! This led me to my master’s research topic of propulsion systems, where I worked to increase the efficiency of turbofan engines using ammonia cracking.
What resources at UCF contributed to your success?
UCF has many resources that can help contribute to any student’s success. The engineering building has a lab where you can laser print and 3D print objects, which was helpful in many different engineering projects over the years. I also utilized study rooms in the UCF Library frequently to help me stay focused.
Why do you think programs like CWEP are so important for students entering STEM fields?
Programs like CWEP are crucial for students entering any STEM field. It offers real experience in the corporate world and helps prepare students for what life will be like after graduation.
What skills or experiences from CWEP were most valuable to you in securing your full-time role at Lockheed Martin?
Everything I did as a CWEP intern prepared me for my full-time role at Lockheed Martin and taught me how to be successful in my career. I learned how to effectively manage my time while working 25 hours a week and taking five classes a semester.
How did your UCF coursework help you succeed in your sustainment engineer associate role at Lockheed Martin?
UCF helped prepare me for my role as a sustainment engineer associate through the skills I learned in my classes. Through my different labs and projects I conducted, I learned the ins and outs of Excel, which prepared me to sort through data on a daily basis in my current role. As an engineering student I learned how to read and write code, which has been valuable in my career.