From Summertime to Full-Time: The Transition from Intern to Employee at Hexagon US Federal

This summer, Hexagon US Federal will once again host a cohort of college students for 10-week, paid internships across our organization. Over the years, several individuals who completed our program went on to became full-time employees on our team.

We asked these team members to share their experiences in an interview. In their responses, they each provided examples of how company culture, mentorship, interpersonal relationships, and coaching from management helped them decide they wanted to launch their professional careers here.

Meet the Team Members

• Abby Craig : Accountant I, graduate of Athens State University, Summer 2023 intern
• Claire Gray : Marketing Specialist II, graduate of Husson University, Summer 2021 intern
• Thu Luu : Marketing Coordinator, graduate of Virginia Tech, Summer 2023 intern

Q: Why did you chose to apply to an internship at Hexagon US Federal?

Abby: An internship is a great way to decide what you want to do with your degree. Also, you gain experience while learning a lot about your profession.

Claire: I chose to apply for an internship at HexFed because of the convenience of working from home and at my own pace, but with the resources and support necessary to thrive in my first role post-graduation.

An internship with HexFed also meant breaking into an industry I had no experience with but in a role I felt uniquely qualified for. I was particularly intrigued because the marketing department had a lot of room for growth and development and upon starting my internship, I noticed immediate freedom to delve into the creative process and come up with graphics, copy, and videos that would be relevant and interesting to our audiences. This freedom was huge for me as a recent graduate because it gave me the confidence I needed to create compelling pieces, invite feedback, and continuously improve my skills.

Thu: I was on a design team back at Tech and I noticed Hexagon as a sponsor of the team. I wasn't sure what industry to go along with for my marketing career path, while I also enjoyed taking complex information and making it digestible (and pretty) for people. Then I stumbled upon Hexagon US Federal because I thought HexFed was Hexagon, and later learned Hexagon US Federal is a subsidiary of Hexagon.

Q: What was your internship role?

Abby: Accounting/Finance Intern

Thu: I was a Marketing Intern! I was responsible for supporting design and written materials for conferences, internal company announcements, and contests. In addition, I managed HexFed's social media channels.

Claire: My official title was, “Marketing Intern.” This role involved supporting the company through graphic design, campaign support, social media, writing, conferences, podcasts, and video.

Q: What was your favorite part of interning?

Thu: My favorite part of interning was the ability to attend conferences and conventions. Behind the scenes I was supporting design and written collateral, but attending in person was a whole other level. I saw how my team's booth design came to life, demonstrations of the products and solutions, and grabbed a lot of swag (i.e. Vegemite) from other booths.

Abby: I enjoyed the knowledge I received from upper-level management. I also enjoyed spending time with other interns.

Claire: My favorite part of interning was how much one-on-one support and mentorship I received from my manager, Beka. Whether I was asking for feedback, guidance, or reassurance, she always responded promptly and in detail. Beka has more experience in the industry and was able to assign tasks with a deeper understanding of what is doable within given deadlines which helped build morale and maintain a positive environment of constant improvement that aligned with our Marketing goals for the future.

Q: Why did you decide to stay at Hexagon US Federal full-time?

Abby: I think I can grow professionally at Hexagon US Federal, and I love the people I work with.

Claire: My internship was an unceasingly positive experience. I decided to stay at HexFed full-time because I felt that the relationships fostered, connections made, and network expanded had helped me grow as a professional in just a few short months. I’ve been able to exercise creativity from day one and hone my skills in writing, graphic design, and video production. Additionally, I felt I was a good fit within the HexFed company culture and I enjoyed collaborating with a variety of team members who trusted me to transform their content into something exemplary and on brand.

Thu: Halfway through my internship, I was writing in my journal on June 8, 2023 at 8:15 P.M. I was reflecting on all of the knowledge I gained, the people I met, and how my work felt valuable to the company and my team. I felt heard and affirmed throughout my entire journey at HexFed. I found my purpose at HexFed and I just couldn't bear the idea of parting with my team just yet. So, I asked for an extension because I wanted to continue working on projects and learning more about marketing in a tech space industry.

Q: How did your internship prepare you for your role?

Claire: Experience matters and my time as a Marketing Intern prepared me to take on the full-time Marketing Specialist role by introducing me to many of the departments who routinely reach out for marketing assistance, the target markets we aim to reach, and the skills involved in digital storytelling. All of which have helped me truly understand HexFed’s brand presence and Core Values.

Abby: I gained a lot of knowledge and experience during my internship, and this knowledge/experience has prepared me to adequately do my job.

Thu: LET ME TELL YOU. My manager and team literally prepped me to the T. From weekly check-ins, to one-on-one training sessions, and consistent feedback for my work...I felt prepared to step in on any project. Also, my team encouraged risk taking and would always include me in calls and projects that would be beneficial or a learning opportunity for me. They made sure that my questions got answered and that I fully understand the scope of my projects. It also helped that they were my champions and advocated for my work!

Q: What is your favorite part of working at Hexagon US Federal?

Thu: The people. I genuinely love working with the people at Hexagon US Federal. Everyone has their own quirks and works hard towards their goals. I was super socially awkward at first, but I felt I was able to connect with many people and open up to them.

Abby: My favorite part of working at Hexagon US Federal is the team atmosphere. I really enjoy spending time learning from my colleagues.

Claire: My favorite part of working at HexFed is threefold; the satisfaction in learning new things, the profound sense of accomplishment in finding solutions, and the sense of community from working in a collaborative environment.

Q: What would you say to students considering an internship with Hexagon US Federal

Abby: I would say to commit to an internship at Hexagon US Federal. I don't think you will regret it.

Claire: Apply now and join a company dedicated to Accountability, Integrity, Inclusion, Innovation, and being Customer First. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, ask as many questions as you can, write out your goals and keep track of how you’re working to accomplish them, use every resource available to you, and ultimately, take pride in your work!

Thu: You will learn a lot. No joke. Enjoy your time while interning and take what you can from it. Be a champion of your own work because it will be a valued piece at HexFed!

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share for prospective interns?

Claire: Remain teachable, help when and where you can, and be open to new possibilities!

Abby: An internship is all about gaining experience and knowledge. If you are looking to do that, then Hexagon US Federal is the perfect place for you.

Thu: My final advice is, "get out there, make mistakes, learn from your mistakes, and have fun!" You don't need to have all of the qualifications to be a "good" intern. Your attitude and hard work will show through. Good luck!

Thank you to our interviewees, Abby Craig, Claire Gray, and Thu Luu! If you are interested in joining the Hexagon US Federal team, view our open positions .

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Headquartered in Chantilly, VA, Hexagon US Federal is an independent subsidiary of Hexagon Corporation, exclusively focused on bringing the broad range of Hexagon technologies to the US Federal government and its partners. ?