Tell us about your ongoing work and projects.
I am currently an intern in the NCIA’s space technology focused team - known as STAR. We support NATO by integrating a wide range of space technologies into its defence and security activities.
The Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) programme, is one of the many activities we are involved, in. APSS is a very important initiative that will improve and accelerate NATO’s decision-making processes through access to shared data from space. Contributing towards this project means that I have had the opportunity to collaborate with different entities both within and outside of NATO on many space applications, widening my experience.
What has been the highlight from your internship experience so far?
Since the first day, my internship has been varied and exciting. It is hard for me to point to one specific aspect of it. In a way, the best part is having collected many experiences over these past months.
A constant factor in my positive internship experience is the STAR team. They made sure I felt welcome from the start, on boarding me quickly and asking for my input from very early on. The internship does not simply feel like an educational programme, I am also actively contributing to my team’s work and impact.
One of my key professional highlights was being deployed to Stavanger, Norway, to take part in the NATO exercise, Steadfast Duel. This exposed me to the operational side of the work we do. During the exercise, we were directly embedded in the space response cell. From this position, we were able to adapt our systems to meet the quickly-evolving coordination needs over the entire training period. For me, the exercise was an exciting occasion to experience first-hand how essential space is for smooth and informed operations across domains.
What is the biggest takeaway you have learned during your internship at NCIA?
I certainly did not anticipate how interconnected and complex the work would be here. While our team is specialized in space technology, we cooperate at various levels with other branches internally and externally, as well as with other organizations, playing a wider role in supporting NCIA capabilities in other fields, such as intelligence and surveillance.
It is fascinating to see the extent and expanse of work to ensure the Alliance is protected and how that is achieved through military and civilian cooperation.
Do you already know your next career steps?
Before joining NCIA, I started a PhD on space borne Synthetic Aperture Radar data. I would like to complete my PhD to consolidate my technical expertise. At the beginning of my academic studies, it was my dream to work on space capability development for NATO and this internship has been a great opportunity for me to gain an understanding of what that means in reality.
I hope to be able to work again at NCIA to contribute my expertise and knowledge to the Alliance.
Would you recommend other young professionals/graduates to apply for an NCIA internship and why?
Absolutely! I am working with a wonderfully supportive team, eager to share their technical knowledge and provide guidance on the working world.
An NCIA internship guarantees a multidisciplinary environment, where collaboration across teams and entities is part of daily work. This allows you to gain insights into different working processes and fields, multiplying the learning experience. An internship like this is a fantastic first step for your career.
What advice would you give someone about to start an NCIA internship?
Don't worry about not knowing everything about NCIA or NATO. Use the opportunity to connect with colleagues to learn more about the working world and find the best career path for yourself.
Application to join the next cohort of interns at NCIA are now open until 16 March 2025 23:59 CET. Find out more about the opportunities and apply today here.