Newport News Shipbuilding’s Co-op Program allows college students to gain real-world experience through short-term, hands-on roles related to their field of study.

Zack Kelly (O72) and Darlene Jordan (E44) are just two shipbuilders who have established full-time careers after their experience with the co-op program.

Kelly was studying finance at Christopher Newport University and sought out his internship opportunities in a very deliberate manner. “I wanted to know what it was like interning at different sized companies to have an idea of what I wanted my life to look like,” he said. “Eventually I came here – the largest employer in the area. Having the ability to go into the shipyard showed me that the work I was doing held a purpose larger than myself. I felt like what I was doing had more of an impact than if I were to work at a financial firm.”

His internship placed him in the HII corporate office, working with the Contracts and Government Compliance team. As the internship concluded, Kelly applied for the co-op program and was able to stay with the team for an additional year.

“As an intern, we worked a lot with other interns. As a co-op, I got to get more into the work itself and how the cycle works throughout the year,” Kelly explained. “During that process, I felt like it helped me familiarize myself with the real working world. I still had classes, but also a true work schedule and a commute. I had the opportunity to sit in on budget meetings with the corporate vice presidents. Ultimately, I really enjoyed the people I worked with and that drove my decision to work here full-time.”

Kelly now works as a cost analyst in Financial Reporting and Accounting, and is pursuing his Master of Business Administration through William & Mary.

Jordan followed a different path to NNS. Prior to her internship and co-op, she served in the U.S. Navy for 16 years as a helicopter mechanic.

The daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran, Jordan knew she wanted to work in aviation. “Beyond that,” she said, “I wanted to pick the branch that had the most travel.”

Jordan explained that she wanted to finish out her 20 years but to do so, she would need to go into civil service. “Civil service requires that you have experience, even after getting a college degree. Military experience doesn’t always count, especially if that experience isn’t tied to a piece of paper stating that you’re qualified.”

Jordan interned with T51 Cybersecurity, Compliance and Quality, and later worked as a co-op with E82 Reactor Services. She now works as a computer systems security analyst.

“When I was working on engines,” she said, “we’d break them out into their different components and eventually build them back up again – this has been very similar but with computers. I’m glad I found this role. I spend some time in front of the computer, but it also allows me to get hands on.”

The company currently hosts co-op students in Engineering and Design, IT, Business Management and Supply Chain Management. Managers in these areas who are interested in hosting a co-op student this fall should contact KyArhea Newby (K21) via email by June 20.

“Co-op students are an exceptionally hardworking and dedicated group,” Newby said. “Balancing work, school and personal responsibilities is no small feat. I truly admire our co-op students for their commitment and perseverance, and I’m excited to see the program continue to grow.”