Business Unit: Australian Defence Force
Location: Brisbane, Australia
University: The University of Queensland
Degree Program: Economics

What Boeing product(s) or service(s) do you work on?

I’m part of the Spares and Repairs Group providing ongoing support to the Australian Defence Force via the contracts Boeing has in place. This includes the Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, Classic Hornet aircraft and Harpoon weapon programs. I’m also involved with the Strategic Growth and Planning team, forecasting orders for our long-range business plan.

What was the most rewarding project you've worked on as a Boeing intern?

As a team, we restructured the way orders are tracked through new software. It was fantastic to contribute to making decisions involved in implementing it. I didn’t feel like the intern. This sums up Boeing’s internship culture that supports decision-making instead of just being made to fall in line.

How did your internship experience at Boeing influence your future career?

I realized I want to work for a company that makes a difference; not only one that promotes innovation and technological advances, but also one that makes a real difference to the global landscape. I’ve met some very intelligent people who have introduced me to different fields that I would never have known about previously, which has made me think critically about my career decisions.

What have you learned as an intern that you wouldn't learn from your coursework?

Supply chain management is completely different from what my university degree entails, so there has been a ton of learning about the processes involved. Boeing allows interns to develop soft skills within a team environment, which is something that is not taught in our coursework.

What's something you wish you knew before you started your internship?

No one expects you to know everything on your first day, however, if you continually ask questions you will learn so much more and gain the respect of your team members.

What inspires you about Boeing's mission and the work we do?

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and has shaped history over the past 100 years. The company’s commitment to innovation is unparalleled and through collaboration, quality, and passion, we can inspire the world.