As part of its ongoing partnership with Lockheed Martin, the University of Central Florida (UCF) offers students opportunities to gain industry experience through the Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP). The program allows undergraduate and graduate students to participate in paid, year-round internships where they apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.
The CWEP provides hands-on learning that aligns with students’ fields of study. Students are able to work directly on projects related to Lockheed Martin’s operations, which often leads to full-time employment after graduation. According to UCF, the program benefits both students and Lockheed Martin by providing practical experience for future engineers and new perspectives for the company.
One participant, Tiana, who completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering at UCF, described how her time as a CWEP intern led directly to her current position as a sustainment engineer associate at Lockheed Martin. During her internship, she contributed to automating job processes that reduced labor hours and improved efficiency. In one project, she integrated a manual operation into an automated system within Lockheed Martin’s asset management platform, saving over 250 hours annually.
“UCF’s partnership with Lockheed Martin is very much a pathway to success,” Tiana said. “The CWEP program gave me the experience I needed to become successful in gaining knowledge and expertise in engineering. It is very important these days to have experience in order to apply for any job. The CWEP program led me to gain a summer internship with Lockheed Martin, which then led to them offering me a full-time position at the end of my internship.”
Tiana explained that her interest in aerospace engineering began during high school after an assignment analyzing scientific accuracy in the film Interstellar. She chose UCF due its reputation as “SpaceU” and its resources for aerospace students, including an accelerated degree program that allowed her to complete multiple degrees efficiently.
A significant project during her studies was participation in the Return to Launch Site Rocket Project during her senior design class. This project influenced her master’s research on propulsion systems and helped define her career direction.
Tiana also highlighted campus resources such as engineering labs equipped for laser printing and 3D printing, as well as library study rooms that supported her academic progress.
She emphasized the importance of programs like CWEP for STEM students: “Programs like CWEP are crucial for students entering any STEM field. It offers real experience in the corporate world and helps prepare students for what life will be like after graduation.”
Reflecting on skills gained from CWEP, Tiana said managing time between work commitments and classes prepared her well for professional responsibilities at Lockheed Martin. Her coursework at UCF provided foundational skills—such as data analysis using Excel and programming—that she uses daily in her role as an engineer.
