As I wrap up my summer internship at Hughes, I am filled with appreciation for the knowledge I’ve gained and the experiences that helped me grow both professionally and personally. I joined the Planning Team in June as a rising senior majoring in Business Technology Administration at UMBC, with a strong interest in supply chain and enterprise systems. This opportunity confirmed my passion for the field and helped solidify my long-term career goals.
During my time at Hughes, I had the chance to work on a variety of impactful tasks and projects. My primary responsibility involved processing stock transfer requests, which is a procedure for moving inventory. Using SAP, I became proficient in navigating different transactions and understanding how inventory flows across departments. Gaining hands-on experience with SAP’s production server gave me a deep understanding of ERP systems, something that goes far beyond classroom learning.
One of the most exciting projects I worked on was analyzing defect and operational issues on the Single Mount Technology (SMT) line across May, June, and July. This required identifying trends, assessing impact and frequency, and proposing actionable solutions to enhance process efficiency. I utilized my analytical skills and attention to detail to complete this project, and the work was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Alongside technical learning, I developed several professional skills that will stay with me throughout my career:
- Gained hands-on experience with SAP and ERP systems
- Learned how to process and track stock transfer requests
- Strengthened analytical skills through defect pattern analysis
- Improved documentation and presentation abilities
- Enhanced communication, collaboration, and time management
- Gained exposure to the inner workings of a planning and supply chain team
The most fulfilling part of this internship was the sense of accomplishment I felt after completing meaningful work. Understanding the wide range of products Hughes manufactures was initially overwhelming, but with the support of the Planning Team, I was able to gradually build my knowledge. Everyone I worked with was extremely helpful—my manager in particular made sure I was exposed to every part of the planning process by allowing me to shadow different team members, which accelerated my learning curve.
Coming from a background where my father runs a business in industrial valve automation and system integration, I’ve always been drawn to the world of supply chain and manufacturing. This internship didn’t just reinforce my interest—it made me certain that this is the field I want to pursue for the rest of my life.
As I head into my final year of college, I’m excited to apply all that I’ve learned and continue growing in this space. I’m thankful to Hughes and the entire Planning Team for making this summer an unforgettable chapter in my professional journey.