Hume Center and other Defense Opportunities

If you are an Ocean Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Science major, the Hume Center has both volunteer and paid positions in defense or security internships and research positions. While these opportunities are typically more competitive, it’s not unheard of for freshmen or students with little experience to get offers. Cybersecurity, machine learning, space and under sea operations, and secure communications are some of the primary initiatives that the Hume Center focuses on. One student who is currently pursuing a position at the Hume Center has agreed to speak with us about their experiences.

Amirah Jones is a member of the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE), which is a federal program that is affiliated with the Hume Center. She is a freshman who knew that she wanted to make some kind of impact while also honing her technical skills. According to her, the IC CAE program has offered her an opportunity to do so. She says that while it is extra work, it doesn’t really feel like it because it’s something that she wants to do. In other words, her research doesn’t conflict with her other academics. One of the positives Amirah wanted to highlight was that the program offers her a lot of support. Many of the professionals that she works with guide her and teach her skills she wouldn’t have learned in her courses. One message that she wants to impart on readers is that people of more diverse backgrounds should feel more encouraged to pursue research. One of the many things she’s learned through the IC CAE program is the importance of working with people of different perspectives.

Other ways to get Involved

Maybe you are still interested in research, but none of the positions we’ve covered so far appeal to you. That’s completely fine! The beauty of going to a research institution is that the majority of the research groups on campus are open to undergraduates even if a good portion of them aren’t well advertised. Most professors, if not all, are involved in some form of research regardless of what college they are a part of. This begs the question, how can you find projects that interest you, and how can you get involved in them? Finding projects is simple: go to your college’s website, or on to vtx.vt.edu, and skim through articles that interest you. Virginia Tech newsletters and blogs routinely publish content about niche research teams that are active on campus and are a great way to scout out opportunities that appeal to you. Bookmark any that you would want to work on or that align with your interests and values. To get involved in any of the projects, draft a professional email to the professor or team lead cited in the article. While it might seem bothersome, remember that part of a professor’s responsibility is to find passionate students to fill roles in their team. However, only email professors with projects that you are serious about or that align with your goals or personal mission.

Final Words

Research can be an extremely rewarding experience, and even though it might seem daunting, Virginia Tech offers significant support for undergraduate researchers. If it’s something you want to have in your college experience, there are several paths that you can take to get involved.