Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) college interns kicked off 10-week internships at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City Division (PCD). The interns reported to work May 21, 2018.

The 26 students selected by NSWC Panama City Division work on a range of projects from various disciplines to include computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering, physics and oceanography. In 2017, NREIP provided 600 internships to college students last summer and spent 10 weeks during the summer conducting research at approximately 37 Department of Navy (DON) labs, of which NSWC Panama City Division was one.

"NREIP internships offer hands-on training in a real-world environment," said NSWC PCD Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Peters. "These students benefit from one-on-one interactions with our subject matter experts who are working to support our Sailors and Marines with actual technical capabilities that affect our nation's warfighting efforts."

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and individual government laboratories fund the annual, paid internship. Programs like NREIP provide an opportunity for college students to participate in research and receive hands-on experience at a Department of the Navy laboratory during the summer. The NREIP website states "the goals of the program are to encourage participating college students to pursue science and engineering careers, to further education via mentoring by laboratory personnel and their participation in research, and to make them aware of DON research and technology efforts, which can lead to employment within the DON."

The program benefits both the students and the government.

"Historically, many of these students graduate from their respective colleges or universities and come to work with us" said Peters. "The benefit to us is they already have an entry-level understanding about the command."

The summer interns come from Florida State University, University of Florida, Huntingdon College, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, University of West Florida, University of Michigan, Florida Institute of Technology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Erskine College, Auburn University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

For more NREIP information, please visit the website at http://nreip.asee.org/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, visit www.navy.mil/.