Here at GE Aviation, we work with a program called INTERalliance that looks to create an environment that gives local young IT talent a compelling reason to stay in southwest Ohio both for college and their careers. Katie G. will guest blog today regarding her experience as a high school intern.       

Katie G. - GE Aviation high school intern I am Katie G., a Loveland high school student interning here at GE.  Getting involved with GE came through the program known as INTERalliance, which is a Cincinnati alliance of companies who are interested in finding and retaining high school students interested in IT.   An INTERalliance leader came and presented an opportunity to be involved in an IT camp for the summer of our sophomore year, so I submitted an application and was accepted! There are about 100 students in all of the Cincinnati area chosen each year.

INTERalliance camps show students how IT is used in different companies and allows students to participate in brainstorming challenges.  Each day exposes the technology of a new company to show how many diverse ways technology is used. Also, throughout the week, each team has to design a project and present the final idea on the last day. My team designed a communication enhancer for people with disabilities, who had difficulties communicating with care-takers, and we won the competition for our week. The time with INTERalliance changed my ideas about IT and actually prompted me to consider it in my future. Now, one summer later, I am planning to study Computer Science after I graduate.

It was through INTERalliance that I was able to apply for my internship. GE is such a fun place to be, and there are so many different ways to get involved! I love the meetings and how the committees work together to make everything a great experience. All the people I work with are nice as well, so it is easy to come to the office.  Currently, I am working on a No Data Received Enhancements project in the Engineering Tools Center of Excellence. All the planning and different ideas that I am being exposed to are so exciting and the work is helping me prepare for the future, too. I still have so much to learn but I know that this opportunity at GE will help in every way.