This summer, more than 250 young professionals are interning at Westinghouse, exemplifying the best of the next generation of nuclear energy professionals as the industry ramps up for myriad new-build projects in the years ahead.
With fresh ideas, diverse perspectives and excitement to begin their careers, Westinghouse interns are working at our facilities across the world to help bolster the nuclear industry.
Several of our interns shared what they are learning this summer and how they can contribute to a clean, sustainable energy future.
Kaelyn Underwood, Legal Intern
Location: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Legal Department
Grade: Second Year Law Student
College: Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University
Degree: Law Degree
What was your favorite part of the Westinghouse Internship program?
My favorite part has been getting to know and work with the different attorneys throughout the legal department. I have gained experience within various practice areas, which has been very beneficial. I have also enjoyed learning more about Westinghouse and the nuclear energy industry in general through the various Technical and Business Sessions held weekly.
Michael Topich, Materials Innovation Intern
Location: Churchill, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Materials Innovation
Grade: Rising Senior
College: Ohio State University
Degree: Materials Science Engineering
What was your favorite learning experience during your internship?
My favorite learning experience was on my first day when I got my site tour from many different engineers and technicians. I work at the Churchill site, so we have a number of different labs with a wide variety of capabilities. Seeing all the different capabilities possible through materials science really opened my eyes and stood out to me.
Brittany Badger, Environmental Protection Intern
Location: Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Department: Environmental Project
Graduating Class of 2024
College: Florida State University
Degree: Environmental Science
What was your favorite project to work on during your internship?
My favorite assignment was assisting with an environmental risk reduction project to characterize wastewater that is treated by the Columbia plant before discharge to the Congaree River. Extensive sampling (4 days a week, for 5 weeks) was performed to provide data needed to design wastewater treatment system modifications, required before decommissioning the plant’s 1.5-million-gallon sanitary lagoon. This data will enable engineering to design the best alternative for this capital project. The project goal is to design a solution that improves the overall wastewater treatment system and replaces the treatment function performed by the lagoon.
Lauren Nedrow, Inside Sales Intern
Location: New Stanton, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Americas Nuclear Parts Operations
Grade: Rising Junior
College: Penn State Fayette – Eberly Campus
Degrees: Project Supply Chain Management, Business Marketing and Management, Corporate Communications
What does reshaping tomorrow’s energy mean to you, and how will clean energy help future generations?
It is creating a sustainable way to have energy which is important to everyone around the world. Overall, I think having sustainable ways to create and use energy will have an impact on generations long beyond our time, as it will pave the way for bigger and better sustainable solutions.
Benjamin Stone, Control Software Engineer Intern
Location: Ogden, Utah, United States
Department: Engineering Projects & Technology
Grade: Rising Senior
College: Weber State University
Degree: Computer Engineering
What was your favorite part of the Westinghouse Internship program?
There are many aspects of the program to enjoy, including technical trainings, coffee breaks where we get to interact with the leadership of Westinghouse, and great co-workers to work with and learn from. These benefits are all great, but I'd have to say my favorite part about being a Westinghouse intern is the opportunity to work on real and important projects. Some internships are focused exclusively on shadowing, or doing practice projects, but the Westinghouse internship has given me real projects and challenges to work on that directly impact the company, giving me a real purpose for being a part of the team, as well as an excellent preview of what it is like to work for Westinghouse Electric.
Julia Nosal, Procurement Assistant
Location: Westinghouse Electric Poland, Krakow
Department: Supply Chain Shared Service
Grade: Rising Senior
College: The Linguistic-Technical University of Przasnysz
Degree: English Philosophy
What does reshaping tomorrow’s energy mean to you, and how will clean energy help future generations?
Reshaping tomorrow's energy means creating a brighter, healthier world for our children and grandchildren, filled with hope and possibility. Clean energy will pave the way for a future where the air is pure, the skies are clear, and nature thrives. It promises a legacy of innovation and sustainability, where communities can prosper without compromising the planet. By adopting clean energy, future generations will inherit a cleaner environment, improved public health, and a more resilient ecosystem.
John Weaver, Mechanical Engineering Intern
Location: Etna, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: eVinci™ Space Applications
Grade: Rising Junior
College: Case Western Reserve University
Degrees: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
What was your favorite learning experience during your internship?
My favorite learning experience so far has been interacting with the other members of the team I am a part of. Getting to see how the professional engineers work with each other, and problem solve was really informative. Just being able to soak up all the information and learn about all the various topics and concepts I had never heard about before was also really exciting. I have also been able to contribute some meaningful work to the team which has been very rewarding.
Brianna Leyland, Safety Intern
Location: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Global Operations Services – Health & Safety
Grade: Rising Senior
College: Slippery Rock University
Degree: Safety Management
What was your favorite project to work on during your internship?
My favorite project has been the Ogden Hydrofluoric Acid hazard assessment. I have been researching engineering and personal protective equipment controls when dealing with hydrofluoric acid and finding solutions to make the task of pouring 49% hydrofluoric acid safely and efficiently. This was my favorite project because it’s allowing me to gain more hands-on knowledge in general safety, industrial hygiene and hazardous chemicals.
Oak Gaertner, Mechanical Engineering Intern
Location: Madison, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Reactor Services Technology
Grade: Rising Senior
College: Penn State University – Behrend campus
Degree: Mechanical Engineering Technology
What was your favorite project to work on during your internship?
My favorite project I have worked on this summer was my first project. This included a mockup for a nuclear reactor stud. A new load follower, stud turnout tool, and nut spinner had just been finished, and a mockup needed to be designed and manufactured in order to bring the concept to a nuclear trade show. This mockup was created to demonstrate the functionality of the load follower and to simulate the operation of an actual nuclear reactor stud.
Rachel Saba, Electrical Engineering Intern
Location: Windsor, Connecticut, United States
Department: Combustion Engineering & Nuclear Instrumentation Safety System Engineering
Grade: Rising Junior
College: University of Connecticut
Degree: Electrical Engineering
What was your favorite learning experience during your internship?
One of the greatest experiences I have had during my internship has been working on actual hardware in a professional setting. It has been amazing to see the concepts I have studied in college applied to solve real-world issues in the industry. Working on prototype testing in the lab with other professionals who have years of experience has been so fun and it feels like I learn as much in one day of lab work than I do in a whole semester of classes! It has given me an in depth look at new concepts and procedures I otherwise may not have had experience with for years to come.
Michael Spena, Global Tax Intern
Location: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Department: Tax
Grade: Rising Junior
College: Penn State University
Degree: Accounting
What was your favorite project to work on during your internship?
My favorite part of the internship experience has been our team's work with the 48c tax credit. The 48c tax credit, officially known as the Advanced Energy Project Credit, is a tax incentive designed to encourage companies like Westinghouse to invest in clean energy with the hopes of creating local jobs and boosting domestic energy production. The total allocation from the IRS is $10 billion with them matching up to 30% of qualified investment projects. Collaborating with other industry professionals like KPMG to create a specific application strategy coupled with the potential for a significant credit allocation has made this project the most rewarding for me.
