Investing in Tomorrow

With the help of a grant from the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), four undergraduate students recently interned at Aerospace Technologies Group (ATG), a national company for aviation window shades.

The internship helped bridge the gap between the students’ academic and business worlds, giving them hands-on experience and opportunities to develop professional networks.

“One of the main skills I learned is financial planning and analysis,” said Stefan Andjelković, student, College of Business. “ATG provided a lot of resources that allowed me to create a forecast masterplan for their company. One of the main projects of the internship, that took a couple months to complete, was to generate a long-term revenue forecast of the business and identify the growth potential in the coming years. By reading into their financial statements, I gained real life experience into how a company functions and the way they run their business.”

Companies at Research Park have the advantage of proximity to 30,000 eager students who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Internships give students essential hands-on experience, developing professional networks and help applying academic knowledge to real-world obstacles.

“We want students to learn how they can use their skills in the work environment,” said Michelle Glenn, chief operating officer of ATG. “We have had the opportunity to share positions that students are not even aware existed that turned into new careers for them. We are happy to expose our interns to all aspects of the company and not just their major.”

Aerospace Technologies Group has made multiple hires because of this program. Beyond the academic and professional growth, the personal impact of these opportunities is equally significant.

“Throughout my internship, I have gained a variety of skills and knowledge,” said Angela Ballerino, a student in FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “A few that I have learned is time management between work and school, being curious about new things, and how to manage working different types of projects.”

Fostering Talent

“If the Research Park can encourage more companies to hire FAU interns, they benefit tremendously, which helps the overall economic development of our region,” said Andrew Duffell, president, Research Park. “Internships let both the student and professor gain valuable insight into cutting-edge technologies and companies. This helps the professor constantly improve the curriculum and gives the intern an advantage over peers when competing for jobs later.”

The Research Park companies receive a grant upon the internship’s completion, reinforcing a cycle of investment in young talent and fostering a dynamic environment.

“Looking ahead, the Research Park’s goal is to continue to nurture their relationship with Florida Atlantic to further expand these opportunities, encouraging more companies to participate and more students to engage,” Duffell said. “ These efforts are not only shaping the careers of young professionals, but also contributing significantly to regional development.”