APPLIED LEARNING
Applied learning at FirePoint integrates academic knowledge with hands-on experience, ensuring students don’t just learn about innovation, they contribute to it. By working alongside professionals across government, industry, and research, students build essential skills while solving real-world challenges. This model involves contributing to the development and evaluation of emerging technologies, supporting vital research, and synthesizing information to inform critical decisions.
Beyond technical tasks, students assist with the coordination and delivery of ongoing projects while engaging with partners across sectors to ensure communication and alignment. These experiences are specifically designed to provide deep exposure to how collaborative work happens across teams, disciplines, and organizations, ultimately delivering outcomes that support key organizational priorities.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
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Real-World Defense & Industry Experience
Gain hands-on experience supporting active projects tied to advanced manufacturing, defense technology, research commercialization, and industry engagement through the FirePoint at Wichita State University.
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Exposure to Emerging Technologies
Work alongside professionals supporting projects in areas such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, autonomy, cybersecurity, digital engineering, and technology transition.
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Professional Skill Development
Build practical experience in project coordination, strategic communications, event support and execution, business development, research and market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and technical and professional writing.
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Direct Industry & Government Engagement
Interns may have opportunities to interact with industry leaders, startups and entrepreneurs, research faculty, government and defense stakeholders, and innovation ecosystem partners across Kansas.
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Mentorship & Career Preparation
Receive mentorship from FirePoint staff and industry professionals while developing workplace skills, networking experience, and career readiness for both public and private sector opportunities.
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Resume & Portfolio Building
Contribute to meaningful projects and initiatives that provide measurable experience and professional work samples.
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Flexible Learning Environment
Gain experience in a collaborative, fast-paced environment designed to help students apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
“Having hands-on experience is so important heading into the job market, which is why I jumped at the chance to get involved with this program.”
-Cayla Brooks, 2021 FI Intern
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
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Student Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled at Wichita State University and be in good academic standing.
U.S Citizens only.
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Academic Background
Preferred fields of study may include Engineering, Business, Marketing & Communications, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Manufacturing, or related technical disciplines.
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Professional Expectations
Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism and reliability, communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats, work collaboratively in team environments, and manage deadlines and assigned responsibilities.
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Confidentiality & Compliance
Students may be required to complete confidentiality agreements, follow university and organizational policies, and adhere to project security or data handling requirements where applicable.
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Initiative & Engagement
Successful interns should be self-motivated, adaptable in fast-paced environments, interested in problem-solving and emerging technologies, and willing to support a variety of projects and events as needed.
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Participation Requirements
Interns may be asked to attend team meetings and program activities, participate in professional development opportunities, and provide periodic progress updates or final reflections on their internship experience.