Hello! I'm wondering what internship opportunities are available to students at the Naval Academy. Are there specific programs or partnerships that offer valuable experience while attending the academy?
As a midshipman at the US Naval Academy, your summer schedule will be pre-planned with a variety of training opportunities rather than traditional internships. These opportunities are designed to expose students to different fields within the Navy and Marine Corps, and they range from academic programs to leadership training.
One of these opportunities is PROTRAMID (Professional Training for Midshipmen), which is a three-week program for rising second-year students. During PROTRAMID, you'll spend a week each with the Navy's surface warfare, submarine, aviation, and Marine Corps communities. This gives you a broad overview of the different facets of service that you can pursue upon graduation, enabling you to make an informed decision when it's time to select your service assignment.
Another opportunity is a program called CORTRAMID (Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen), which is for rising third-year students. Here, you'll spend a month each with a submarine crew, an aviation squadron, a surface ship, and a Marine Corps unit.
It's also worth noting that students interested in pursuing highly technical fields may have opportunities for academic internships or research projects, often via the Trident Scholar Program. This prestigious program allows selected students to conduct a yearlong independent research project.
Lastly, the Midshipman Action Group (MAG) is a student-led group that leads service projects both domestically and abroad. Some midshipmen get the chance to lead and participate in these projects over the summer.
In summary, while the Naval Academy might not have traditional internships in the way that a civilian college would, they offer a plethora of unique experiences designed to prepare you for a career as a naval officer. These experiences will endow you with a solid skill set, providing you with a wealth of hands-on experience and professional contacts across the full spectrum of the Navy and Marine Corps. So yes, definitely lots of valuable experience!
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