Contractor Inspires 173 Summer Interns to Become Future Leaders at SRS

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Talent Acquisition Manager Angela Martin welcomes nearly 175 interns to the Savannah River Site during a meet-and-greet with executive and senior leaders last month.

Twelve-week immersive program drew nearly 4,500 applicants

AIKEN, S.C. — More than 170 students from 53 colleges and technical institutions across 18 states and Canada are participating in a summer intern program conducted by a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

The Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Internship Program kicked off last month with an executive meet-and-greet, where interns connected with leadership and gained insight into the company’s strategic priorities, expectations and mission-driven work at SRS.

"This year alone, SRNS received nearly 4,500 applications, and each of you is among the 173 chosen to be part of this program,” Jeff Griffin, SRNS president and CEO, said in his opening remarks at the event. “The future workforce we need is represented by this diverse and talented group.”

Hannah Ho, a Site Software Engineering intern and a senior at the University of Georgia, returned this summer for a second internship after supporting SRNS Solid Waste Management two years ago.

“I’m thrilled to gain new experience in software automation testing — a whole new avenue for me,” she said. “My goal is to secure full-time work by the end of this internship and follow in my parents' footsteps at SRS.”

Staci Peters, senior vice president of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Business Services, connects with engineering intern Tellajah Chalk during a meet-and-greet.

SRNS began the internship program in 2009 to build a pipeline of future leaders in national defense, environmental stewardship and nuclear nonproliferation. Over the next five years, SRNS plans to hire approximately 2,000 additional employees to meet the growing mission demands of DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Bryan Ortner, senior vice president, SRNS Workforce Services and Talent Management, said the internship program could create a lifelong career at the site.

“The program remains a critical tool for building tomorrow’s workforce,” Ortner said. “Students will apply innovative ideas to complex problems, expand existing university and college relationships and establish new ones.”

The program offers a 12-week immersive experience, allowing interns to explore potential careers, including engineering, computer science, physical sciences, business services, communications, site services, information technology and nuclear materials control.

Rachael Ogundare, a junior at the University of Georgia and an Information Technology Business Analytics intern, said she’s been exposed to various business aspects and has explored different programs, solidifying her interest in analytics while also diving into project management.

“Working on projects like process optimization and visualizations has given me valuable insights into the critical missions at SRS,” Ogundare said.

Mike Swain, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions senior vice president and nuclear operations officer, right, and James Therrell, mission planning manager for Environmental Management Operations, connect with intern Olivia Ruszczyk, a senior mechanical engineering student at New Mexico State University.

Following the SRNS internship program last year, 61 interns received full-service positions and 25 transitioned into apprenticeships, according to Felicia Hartzog, SRNS Internship Program coordinator.

"The talent and passion displayed by this cohort are truly inspiring and something to be proud of,” Hartzog added.

Griffin concluded the meet-and-greet by encouraging the interns to make the most of their time at SRNS.

"You’re not just here to fill a summer; it’s about building a bridge to full-time careers. Engage fully, learn relentlessly and contribute boldly,” Griffin said. “When this internship ends, we hope it’s just the beginning of your journey with us."

-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb