National Intern Day, celebrated annually on the last Thursday of July, was founded by WayUp in 2017 and has been continued by Yello since 2021. This special day serves as a national recognition of interns' contributions and highlights the importance of building equitable, high-impact internship programs. This year, General Dynamics was among the organizations recognized for their outstanding internship program.
General Dynamics took home a distinguished recognition, the Innovators Award. This prestigious accolade acknowledges the ability to redefine what is possible by combining professional development, high-impact perks, and one-of-a-kind experiences that interns will not find elsewhere. General Dynamics Mission Systems, one of ten business units under General Dynamics, has taken great pride in its internship program, immersing students in real-world defense and cybersecurity challenges across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Sue Conaway, engineering director and internship program manager for the Scottsdale, Arizona location, poses with a few of our interns for a picture during a volunteer event earlier this summer.
“I am interning in the engineering department, and it has been a great experience this summer,” said Charlotte Weiskotten, 2025 engineering intern from University of Massachusetts Amherst. “It really ties in what I have been learning at school, as well as the alignment between my responsibilities here and my cyber role in the Air National Guard has been eye-opening. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how General Dynamics Mission Systems supports the warfighter, which has been inspiring and exciting to be a part of.”
With a conversion rate of over 65 percent, many interns secure full-time roles, including several directors and vice presidents who began their careers as interns. The company offers a multitude of options for students after fulfilling their education requirements, such as the Engineering Leadership Program (ELP) and the Manufacturing Leadership Program.
Students from the 2025 General Dynamics Mission Systems internship program pose for a group photo at our Pittsfield, Massachusetts location.
“One of the most impactful experiences during my internship was the exposure to various lines of business and the opportunity to interact with employees at all levels,” said Laura Jhoana Lopez, a 2023 WayUp Top 100 Intern and University of Southern California alumna, who interned with General Dynamics Mission Systems while pursuing her master’s in mechanical engineering and is now part of the 2023 General Dynamics Mission Systems ELP cohort. “Being the first engineer in my family, General Dynamics Mission Systems has provided a supportive environment where I can learn and grow after college, especially through the ELP program.”
General Dynamics Mission Systems recruits from dozens of schools in the fall and spring for the summer internship program, looking for students with a wide range of expertise, specialties, and interests.
“Students should know we are looking for the whole person,” said Terrell Johnson, university relations lead. “Some may hesitate to apply because they don’t have a top-tier GPA or an A in every subject. We value who you are as a person - your volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and overall character are important when considering applicants for our intern program.”
This year’s recognition highlights General Dynamics' commitment to fostering the next generation of talent and innovation. By prioritizing professional growth, offering unique and customized experiences, and emphasizing the whole person concept, General Dynamics Mission Systems is proud to help set a benchmark for impactful and all-encompassing internship programs. With this distinguished accolade, the company continues to pave the way for interns to transform into future leaders, embodying the spirit of excellence and dedication that drives their mission forward.
