Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

Watervliet, New York

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

This reflection paper explores my summer internship experience at the Department of Defense, where I worked in a secure, structured government environment that challenged my technical skills, discipline, and adaptability. As a senior Computer Science major, the internship provided me with a firsthand look into the professional expectations and constraints of working in a federal setting. It pushed me to develop deeper patience, communication skills, and long-term thinking. The experience also shaped my academic and career path, influencing my decision to pursue a master’s degree in data analytics and to eventually return to government work. Beyond technical exposure, the paper highlights the personal growth and self-reflection that occurred while living independently in Troy, New York, and how the quiet, disciplined setting gave me time and space to re-evaluate my goals and identity. This paper focuses on the process and internal development, rather than technical deliverables, capturing how this internship became a pivotal turning point in my academic and professional journey.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.