Villanova University's Summer Business Institute students visited Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) on June 28 for the second year as part of a professional development course.

The 18 students who participated are pursuing a minor in business, and the summer session provided an opportunity to tour and interact with potential future employers.

The NSWCPD tour consisted of the Shock & Vibration Laboratory, the DDG 51 Land Based Engineering Site (LBES), and the Advanced Data Acquisition Prototyping Technologies and Virtual Environments (ADAPT.VE) Lab. Students also received a command overview from acting Machinery Research, Logistics and Ship Integrity Department Head Dr. Michael Golda, who explained the role of employees at NSWC Philadelphia Division and around the world.

Students and mentors divided into small groups to take advantage of a speed mentoring session. Mentors switched groups every eight minutes, so students had a chance to talk to each mentor. The students asked questions about the workplace culture, what was the mentor's typical day like, and how the particular mentor got to where he or she is today.

The Philadelphia Division mentors were: NSWCPD's Chief Engineer, Sean Brennan; acting Chief Technology Officer, Steve Mastro; Deputy Department Head of Corporate Operation, Peter Mark; Branch Head, HM&E/Navigation Networks: Surface Ships (non-DDG 51), Jaime Calderon; and Branch Head, Combatants Acquisition, Lindsay Reber.

Maggie Songer, Villanova University's director of employer relations, coordinated the speed mentoring event.

"They have been exploring their career interests and refining their brand," Songer said. "This is an opportunity for them to practice their elevator pitches."

One student asked Brennan what he looks for in an incoming intern.

"Enthusiasm," Brennan told the hopeful students. "No one has experience coming in. The real difference is coming in fired up."

The visit continues the relationship between NSWCPD and Villanova University.

Last year the two organizations entered into a formal Education Partnership Agreement (EPA). The EPA with Villanova allows NSWCPD to make its scientific, engineering, technology assets and subject matter experts available to University faculty to enhance their research activities, as well as the educational experience of students. In turn, NSWCPD is able to involve Villanova faculty and students in U.S. Navy research projects underway at the Philadelphia Division.

NSWCPD provides the Navy's primary technical expertise for naval machinery research and development and in-service engineering, as well as machinery cybersecurity and lifecycle engineering.



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