Internship experience opens doors to new opportunities

Sophia Nikhar’s summer internship was more than a professional experience to bolster her resume. This past summer, RTI International welcomed Nikhar onto their technology team as a procurement analyst intern, giving Nikhar the opportunity to gain professional experience that catalyzed opportunities for her to enter the workforce full-time after completing her undergraduate degree this fall. Nikhar’s role as an intern included negotiations with suppliers and vendors, discovering cost saving opportunities, and processing purchases and requisitions.  

Nikhar decided to pursue a full-time position as a contractor supporting RTI after finishing her internship because of the company culture and how “everyone is positive and helpful, and it creates an environment of striving for the best.” While interning with RTI, Nikhar noticed how welcoming everyone was and felt like there was never a moment that someone wouldn’t have been willing to help her if she was stuck on a project.  

Nikhar has always felt supported by her team at RTI—as an intern and now as the most junior contractor on her team. During Nikhar’s internship, her manager and mentor were always looking for opportunities for her to learn—adding her to projects that interested Nikhar or connecting her to different staff members at RTI. Nikhar says that at RTI, “you have an entire community who will support you—they help you learn, help you grow personally and professionally, and help you do work you want rather than forcing you into things.” 

To see RTI’s current internship positions, visit the RTI internship opportunities page here.