University of Rhode Island

My name is Carolyn Kirk and I am a rising junior studying Ocean Engineering. This summer I completed an eight-week internship at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Philadelphia. I worked at a Navy test facility that tests the electric drive propulsion systems of a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. I shadowed several engineers to learn how they maintained, operated, and troubleshot equipment in the facility. Steel toed boots and a hard hat became a part of my everyday wardrobe! It was unreal to be even a small part of such an important mission.
 

This internship was completed as a part of the SMART Scholarship program, which provides tuition, annual stipends, summer internships, and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. I learned about this incredible program at an engineering career fair during my first semester at URI. I applied that fall, and in April I was notified that I had been selected as a recipient. The summer before my sophomore year I attended an overnight orientation with SMART awardees from across the country in DC, as well as a site visit in Philadelphia.
 

This summer was my first internship with the program. The summer after I graduate I will begin working at NSWCPD full-time- I am looking forward to continuing my career in such a fascinating industry. I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship. The security and support it has provided have been life changing.
 

My expectations were modest when I applied- I thought the chances I would receive such a remarkable opportunity were slim. But looking back, I believe my major at URI undoubtedly helped me stand out as a strong candidate. URI is one of only a handful of schools nationwide that offers an Ocean Engineering degree. I am extremely grateful for that unique academic foundation and the role it played in leading me to SMART. I also know I couldn’t have achieved this without the support of the incredible coaching staff at URI. All three of them emphasize the value of education- they show consistent support for my academic goals and celebrate with me when I reach them.