Pictured Above: Matthew M. (Bottom Left); Kayla H. (Bottom Right); Theo D. (Top Left); Camilo I. (Top Right)
MELE’s Future Leaders Intern Program launched this summer. The program included 4 interns who just recently completed their tenure at MELE.
This first ever Future Leaders Program cohort included 4 talented individuals:
• Matthew M. (IT Intern)
• Camilo I. (Accounting Intern)
• Kayla H. (Accounting Intern)
• Theo D. (Communications and VP Team Intern)
All four interns worked out of MELE’s Rockville, Maryland headquarters and received firsthand experience in their field of interest, as well as a mentor who served as their guide and advisor. Each intern had the opportunity to engage in real-world projects, attend team meetings, collaborate with seasoned professionals, and actively contribute to the MELE mission and its customers’ success.
“We created this program not only to build MELE’s talent pipeline, but also to help aspiring young professionals bridge the gap between their academic learning and developing professional skills in a fast-paced, real-world environment,” stated MELE VP Susan B.
“We received great feedback from our department leaders and mentors as well as our interns about the program. We look forward to the next cohort of interns joining us next summer,” she added.
Matthew M., who is finishing his final year at Virginia Tech University as a Cybersecurity Management and Analytics major, spent the summer working alongside MELE’s IT team. He had this to say about his experience:
“During my time here at MELE I have gained invaluable direct experience in my field, applying my cybersecurity knowledge to real-world scenarios. The entire staff here at MELE and specifically my supervisors genuinely wanted me to succeed and take valuable lessons away with me from this experience. They’ve assisted and encouraged me throughout the process… They actively assisted me in gaining certifications in my field and connected projects to in class learning, ensuring that I gained knowledge that would be relevant to my career goals.”
Kayla H., who is pursuing her degree in Business Administration (Finance) at Shippensburg University, worked closely with MELE’s Accounting Department to learn the ins and outs of what can be a complex federal contractor accounting environment.
“The internship provided me with a new knowledge of accounting and finance, as well as a broadened professional workplace skill set. The environment at MELE is ideal for interns as well, as everyone is very engaging and supportive. As an intern at MELE, the team honestly believes in your capabilities and is excited to see your growth.”
Camilo I., a rising senior at the College of the Holy Cross, interned alongside Kayla H. within the Accounting Department, and he shared this about his experience at MELE:
“My mentor, Senior Accountant Stephanie L., was incredibly supportive throughout my internship. She didn’t just assign tasks; she took the time to teach me how different processes within the company worked and gave me exercises and materials to help me understand accounting more deeply. She was a great teacher, and thanks to her guidance, I gained deep insight into the accounting process for government contracts and built the confidence to ask meaningful questions and succeed in my assigned tasks.”
Theo D., who recently graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a BA in Communications, partnered with MELE’s Communications Department and supported the company’s VP team with the creation of new business development materials.
Theo D. stated, “I highly recommend the Future Leaders Internship Program…This internship provided me with invaluable firsthand experience in the world of government contracting and opened doors to opportunities I wouldn’t have found elsewhere. The MELE team was incredibly supportive throughout the entire journey, and it was clear that I was seen as a valued team member—not just an intern. If you’re looking to gain real-world experience and develop the skills needed to succeed, this program is the perfect place to start.”
If you’re interested in becoming part of the next MELE Future Leadership Program cohort, please reach out to Susan.Bowers@MELEAssociates.com to learn more about the process.
Please keep an eye out for additional information about how to apply to the program as we get closer to the application window.
