UTEP CS Students Participate in the MSEIP AFRL Summer 2025 Intern Program

This summer, five UTEP CS students participated in the prestigious MSEIP Summer 2025 Intern Program with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where they had the opportunity to learn from and work with AFRL mentors. Monet Nevarez Sanchez, Karina Lopez Silerio, Sebastian Dewane, Michael Schwarz, and Yara Salamah spent their summer in Rome, NY gaining valuable insights and hands-on experience in their field.

“My favorite part about this internship was the connections I made with the interns from UTEP, and even the interns from other colleges. I have learned many things during my time here, the most significant one being the importance of a college education and the opportunities that come with it.” Michael Shwarz.

“What I enjoyed the most wasn't just the technical side, it was being surrounded by incredibly smart and driven people. Everyone on my project team had such unique strengths and backgrounds, and I loved how fast paced the learning was. Every conversation felt like an opportunity to grow.” Monet Nevarez Sanchez.

As they continue to grow in their professional careers, they leave meaningful advice to upcoming CS students that are thinking of applying to internships.

“Networking is a big part of internships—learn not just from your mentors, but also from your peers. Preparing by reading relevant documentation can definitely help, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience. Internships are as much about growth and memories as they are about technical skills!” Karina Lopez Silerio.

“Apply Appy Apply!!!!!!! Do not hand yourself the rejection without even trying. Grab a friend and go to Coding Interview Club meetings to practice interview questions and talk to fellow UTEP students that have had internships at companies you are interested in. It is okay to not have your careers or specific interests planned out, that’s exactly what internships are designed for!” Yara Salamah

Go Miners!