Our Summer 2026 Interns
At Systems Engineering, our internship program is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications while preparing the next generation of technology professionals for successful careers.
Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, interns gain meaningful experiences that help shape their career paths and build confidence in their technical and professional abilities.
Why Internships Matter
Classrooms provide a strong foundation, but internships offer something equally important: the opportunity to apply knowledge in real business environments.
Our interns work on projects ranging from cybersecurity and IT support to process improvement and AI-driven solutions. Along the way, they develop technical expertise, critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of how a professional firm operates.
As Brad Bowling, a cybersecurity student at SMCC and an engineering intern shared, "[This internship] has helped me to understand the real-world application of technical concepts and tools."
Shaylee O'Grady, a data science and economics student at Macalester College and AI intern reflected on the value of tackling practical challenges, "Learning how to break down messy, real-world processes and turn them into something clear and actionable has been valuable."
Jack Janczuk, a computer science and statistic student at the University of Michigan and AI intern also noted the value of developing new skills through hands-on experience. He said, "One new skill that I've learned is how to utilize agentic AI to automate tasks and improve efficiency."
The Power of Hybrid Work
Our hybrid work model gives interns flexibility and provides opportunities for both remote independent learning and close collaboration with peers in an office environment.
Brad explained, "The hybrid model has, contrary to my expectations, actually made it easier, more comfortable, and more energizing to collaborate with the teams I spend time with."
"Whether it's Microsoft Teams messages, calls, or in-person time, I've had to be more proactive about asking questions and staying connected," Shaylee said on the communication skills developed through the experience.
By experiencing both remote and in-office work environments, interns gain valuable insight into how modern organizations operate while building skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
The Value of In-Person Interaction
While flexibility is important, the in-person component of our internship program remains essential to professional growth. Face-to-face interactions create opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and relationship building that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Brad said, "Working in-person provides the value of making real human connections with the people we are working with on a daily basis."
Maxwell Burns, a student at the University of Maine at Augusta and an IT intern highlighted the importance of being physically present with colleagues, "What has stood out most is how willing everyone has been to explain their work and include me in the process. Being in-person has made it easier to ask questions, learn from different teams, and understand how collaboration happens across the organization."
Shaylee reflected on the environment at Systems Engineering, "They genuinely care about each other and understand what each person values, which makes the collaboration stronger. There's a great balance of support and accountability where people push each other to do better while also wanting to see each other succeed."
Professional Development Opportunities
Systems Engineering's internship program extends far beyond day-to-day project work. Throughout the summer, interns participate in professional development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and structured informational interviews with employees across Systems Engineering.
Brad shared how a development session created lasting personal impact, "Our professional development session on goal setting was very helpful to me, as this was a skill I did not possess for most of my life, and it is a strong focus of improvement for me on a regular basis now that I understand the importance of it."
Shaylee emphasized the value of learning directly from employees with diverse experiences. "The one-on-one conversations and networking opportunities have been the most helpful. Being able to talk with people across different roles and experience levels has given me a much better understanding of how everything fits together and where I see myself fitting in."
Maxwell echoed that sentiment, "The professional development opportunities that have been most helpful to me have been the opportunities to connect with employees across different departments and learn from their experiences."
Intern Voices
Perhaps the best measure of an internship's impact is hearing directly from the interns themselves.
Many described how the experience helped clarify their future goals and interests. "The internship has reinforced my decision that the tech industry is where I want to be and helped confirm that I enjoy this line of work being a part of my daily life," Brad said.
Shaylee shared, "It's definitely helped me realize I'm really interested in the intersection of people, processes, and technology. I've seen how much impact you can have by helping others use tools more effectively."
Maxwell added, "This internship has reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity while also showing me the value of having a strong foundation in networking, infrastructure, and technical support."
When asked what advice they would give future interns, a common theme emerged: stay curious and take initiative. Brad advised, "Come in with an open mind and talk to as many people as possible about anything and everything."
Shaylee encouraged, "The more your put yourself out there – whether it's setting up meetings, sharing ideas, or trying something new –the more you'll get out of the experience."
Maxwell noted, "Being proactive, building relationships, and staying open to new opportunities can make the internship even more rewarding."
Investing in the Future
Our internship program is ultimately an investment in the future for both our interns and Maine's tech workforce.
By providing meaningful learning experiences, exposure to real-world challenges, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, we help students pursuing careers in technology build the skills and confidence needed to launch successful careers.
As Brad expressed, "I have appreciation and gratitude for this incredible opportunity, and it has been a truly invaluable experience."
At Systems Engineering, we're proud to foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and growth – one that empowers interns to explore their potential, build lasting relationships, and take the next step in their professional journey. The future of technology is built by people, and we're excited to help develop the next generation of growth-oriented IT professionals.
Our 2027 internship program positions will be posted in early December, 2026. Continue to check out our website for updates: https://www.systemsengineering.com/about/careers/internships/