From Internship to Career: How One University of the Cumberlands Graduate Leveraged Real-World Experience

From University of the Cumberlands to Oak Ridge National Laboratory

During the summer after graduating from University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Missy Howard stepped into one of the most prestigious research environments in the country: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest science and energy laboratory.

As a double major in information technology and business administration, Missy was selected for ORNL’s highly competitive Technical and Professional Internship Program (TPI). She worked in physical security alongside technical experts tasked with protecting sensitive research, infrastructure, and national assets.

The experience marked a turning point.

Upon returning to University of the Cumberlands, Missy stepped into a Graduate Assistant role in the Information Technology office. Within a short time, she advanced to a full-time position as a Cybersecurity Technologist for Security and Infrastructure, applying the same technical precision, cybersecurity knowledge, and problem-solving skills she refined at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Her story illustrates a key question many students ask: Do internships in college actually lead to jobs?

How to Apply for a Competitive Internship in College

Securing a position through the Technical and Professional Internship Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is not as simple as submitting a résumé. The U.S. Department of Energy research facility offers highly competitive internship placements, and the application process reflects that standard.

According to Missy, who was completing her undergraduate studies in the information technology program at University of the Cumberlands, the process required preparation, persistence, and initiative.

“The application consisted of 5 or 6 written responses, two recommendation letters, and updating and submitting your resume,” explained Missy. “After that is complete, you have to go on their website and review different projects their team is working on. Once you find a mentor whose work fits your interests, you are encouraged to connect with them via email to promote yourself as a potential intern. You keep doing that until you find someone interested in working with you.”

Rather than waiting to be selected, applicants are expected to research active projects, identify potential mentors, and advocate for themselves directly. That level of professional outreach mirrors the real-world internship search process students experience across industries, including cybersecurity, information systems, business, and federal research.

For Missy, the key was persistence.

“It’s a long process and you may feel like quitting at times,” Missy admitted. “But it’s so worth it in the end!” 

Her experience reinforces an important truth for college students: competitive internships require resilience, networking, and the confidence to initiate professional conversations.

What Do Interns Actually Do? Real Responsibility with Real-World Impact

Internships are often misunderstood as administrative or observational roles. In reality, many college interns contribute to projects with measurable impact.

As a Technical and Professional Intern in physical security at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Missy worked alongside a cross-functional team responsible for protecting sensitive research, infrastructure, and national security interests. The team utilized advanced systems, including:

• AI-driven surveillance technology
• Intrusion detection platforms
• Specialized sealing methods
• Layered physical security controls

Although her security clearance limited access to certain materials, her work still supported broader operational objectives. Even entry-level responsibilities contributed to safeguarding critical assets at one of the nation’s most advanced research facilities.

Coming from the information technology program at University of the Cumberlands, Missy applied cybersecurity principles, systems analysis skills, and technical problem-solving strategies developed through coursework and campus IT experience.

“I done work with security cameras and website design among other tasks,” shared Missy. “But one of my favorite things was just sitting in my office and having people come by and ask for help.”

Those impromptu moments became leadership and growth opportunities. When she did not immediately know an answer, she leaned into research and initiative.

“Even if I didn’t know, I would ask for a second to research it,” she explained. “That showed I was trying and that made my mentors and colleagues more willing to work with me more often.”

In practice, her internship involved:

• Supporting physical security operations
• Assisting with security camera systems
• Contributing to web-based tools and internal resources
• Collaborating with technical teams
• Practicing real-time troubleshooting

Rather than passive observation, the experience required communication, analytical thinking, adaptability, and professional confidence — skills she continues to use in her cybersecurity career today. 

Do Internships Lead to Jobs? Here’s What Happened Next

A college degree builds foundational knowledge and opens doors, but momentum comes from what you do once those doors open.

For Missy, that momentum began at University of the Cumberlands, where she held an undergraduate work-study position in the campus Information Technology office. She greeted students, assisted with technical issues, and handled day-to-day support tasks.

What distinguished her was not the complexity of the work, but the consistency of her effort.

“If someone told me to do something, I went and did it. If I seen something that needed to be done, I just did it,” she said. “I also wasn’t afraid to ask questions. From that, the professionals in the office realized I had a strong interest and work ethic.”

That reputation mattered. Tammi Bird, director of IT Support at University of the Cumberlands, wrote a strong recommendation letter supporting Missy’s application to the Technical and Professional Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

After completing the internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Missy returned to Cumberlands, bringing hands-on experience in physical security systems, surveillance technology, and cross-functional collaboration. She stepped into a Graduate Assistant role in the IT office while pursuing her Master of Science in Digital Forensics with a Cybersecurity emphasis. There, she applied advanced cybersecurity principles while troubleshooting devices, supporting campus technology infrastructure, and strengthening digital systems that serve students, faculty, and staff.

Again, she chose initiative.

“I would go to my colleagues office and ask if there was anything they’d like me to work on,” she said. “I think the fact that I wasn’t afraid to go talk to them really made an impression.”

As University of the Cumberlands expanded cybersecurity and infrastructure efforts to address rising cyber risks in higher education, Missy’s internship experience, academic preparation, and campus leadership positioned her as a natural fit.

Today, she serves as a Cybersecurity Technologist for Security and Infrastructure at University of the Cumberlands, helping assess, prevent, and respond to cyber threats across campus systems in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Her path makes the answer clear: internships do not automatically lead to jobs — but internships paired with mentorship, campus engagement, and proactive learning can accelerate a career trajectory.

Internship Advice for College Students: Real Lessons from a Competitive Federal Internship

Internships at nationally recognized institutions like Oak Ridge National Laboratory can be intense, fast-paced, and transformative. For students at University of the Cumberlands, preparation, faculty support, and student initiative matter just as much as technical skill.

What Is It Like to Participate in a Competitive Internship?

“The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is obviously a big deal because it’s based off of the Manhattan Project. I didn't know anything about going in. I had no idea about the prestige or the connection to history. So going in, you're with these extremely smart, intelligent people, and people come all over the world to study at this facility. And so it was just very intense, but I learned so much information about it. It was simultaneously exciting and anxiety provoking. But stick it through because the results are so rewarding.”

Takeaway: Competitive internships stretch your confidence. Growth often happens in environments that feel intimidating at first.

How Do You Find Internship Opportunities in College?

“I had a connection that told me about the position. At the time, I wasn’t interested because I didn’t know anything about it. After researching it, I realized it was a great opportunity. I almost missed the application by waiting. My advice is, if someone approaches you about any opportunity at all, research it before you decide against it.”

Takeaway: Networking matters. Internship opportunities often emerge through faculty mentors, campus supervisors, alumni connections, and professional referrals.

How Do You Make the Most of an Internship Once You’re There?

“I would recommend volunteering for every opportunity you have there. You may have different events, go to them! You will network that way, but you’ll also learn a lot.”

Takeaway: Professional events, collaboration, and relationship-building can be just as valuable as daily assignments.

What Challenges Should Interns Expect?

“You may have people that will give you their books and tell you they want you to learn a concept you’re lacking. It’s okay, don’t take offense. Your mentors have been in their respective roles for a while, and you’re just starting. Go home, study the material, and use it to better your work.”

Takeaway: Feedback is not criticism — it is acceleration. The willingness to learn quickly often separates strong interns from future hires.

The Bigger Picture: Career Preparation at University of the Cumberlands

Missy’s story reflects a broader truth about experiential learning in higher education.

At University of the Cumberlands, students in programs such as information technology, cybersecurity, business administration, and digital forensics combine classroom instruction with hands-on opportunities, campus employment, faculty mentorship, and professional internships.

When academic preparation intersects with real-world experience, the results are measurable.

“I’m incredibly grateful for my professional internship experience because I can look back at me before taking the opportunity versus me after, and I can see the results. I can see so much growth.”

For students wondering whether internships in college are worth it, Missy’s journey offers a clear answer: when paired with initiative, mentorship, and campus engagement, internships can transform potential into profession.