Chiesa’s Time at Lockheed Martin Goes On
9/18/2020 11:45:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Whether she's on or off the lacrosse field, Maya Chiesa is at her best when working with people. An opportunity to intern this summer at Lockheed Martin in Owego, New York helped solidify that fact.
And it led to something even greater.
"I am definitely a hands-on learner," said Chiesa. "I was not at my desk often. I work the best when I'm with other people and working on a team.
"I got both of those experiences this summer," she continued. "Lockheed Martin ended up offering me a full-time position and I accepted."
The full-time position will begin after she graduates in May. For now, Chiesa is grateful that her internship was allowed to continue at a time when many across the nation were being cancelled, or turned fully remote.
Chiesa actually interviewed for the position in March, the day before the Mountain Hawks' lacrosse season was cancelled.
"I was probably the last person who actually went on-site for interviews," she said. "It was the day before everything started to shut down [around the country]. I applied to a whole bunch of internships and was fortunate that Lockheed Martin offered me the position."
Chiesa is a materials science and engineering major so the company, and internship, tied in perfectly with her career goals. Lockheed Martin is an aerospace and defense company.
"They are a government contractor," said Chiesa. "I was able to go into the office every day and work hands-on. I worked on the manufacturing floor and in the lab. Obviously, there were a lot of restrictions. We had to wear masks every day and the majority of the staff was working remotely.
"I focused on materials science and process engineering, like how to put things together, manufacturing processes and things of that nature," she continued. "I actually worked with a Lehigh alumnus who served as a mentor. He was also a materials science and engineering major at Lehigh, so I was able to learn from somebody who shared a common college experience."
The plant where Chiesa worked in Owego is in the RMS (Rotary Mission Systems) Division of Lockheed Martin, which has a lot to do with helicopters. There were over 100 interns in Owego over the summer that included college and high school students. Some of the interns worked on-site, virtual or a blend of both.
"I went back-and-forth between the manufacturing floor, the lab and other areas," said Chiesa. "On the manufacturing floor, a lot of it has to do with assembling of electronics. I was able to get some hands-on experience with the processes. I was also part of the assembly of a big project for them. I would physically read drawings from mechanical engineers and interpret those, figure out the best ways to put together the project, then actually put it together."
Meanwhile, in the lab, Chiesa often conducted failure analyses.
"We took cross sections of certain materials we wanted to do some research on, examined them under a microscope and see how they'd react under certain conditions," she said. "Conditions would be related to those on a plane or helicopter – like temperature and vibrations."
Chiesa began her internship on June 1 and it ran through mid-August. Those 10+ weeks helped solidify her long-term interests.
"I've known since eighth grade that I wanted to do materials science and engineering," she said. "I really thought this was the major I wanted and the summer just solidified everything for me.
"This is what I want to be doing. I have a passion for it and am excited for the future."
Chiesa has reason to be excited. At a time with so many unknowns in the world stemming from the pandemic, she has earned the full-time opportunity. Along with proving herself as an intern this summer, Chiesa currently owns a 3.61 cumulative GPA.
"I feel very fortunate I was even offered the job and it does make me feel better going into this year," she said. "It's nice to know that I have something to look forward to post-graduation, even at an uncertain time in the world."
First thing's first. Chiesa has other things to look forward to in her senior year at Lehigh, as she's back with her team preparing for a spring season (if the pandemic allows).
"I believe being a hard worker and working well with a team helped me secure the full-time offer," said Chiesa. "A lot of my Lehigh experiences have definitely prepared me for the job. I've been an athlete since I was very little and I've always liked being part of a team. I think that's why I appreciate a work environment where you can work as a team, and you're on a team with people who have the same goals as you.
"I get that both in lacrosse and now in the workplace."
Chiesa also credits what she's learned in the classroom.
"I've had some amazing classes and professors who have prepared me very well," she said. "My ability to learn hands-on is a strength, so I was able to adjust to things quickly. And the fact that I really enjoyed what I was doing helped me succeed."
For someone who thrives in a team environment, being able to experience Lockheed Martin in person brought out the best in Chiesa.
"After being home since March, to be able to go somewhere else, do something every day and interact with people was awesome," she said.
Because of her hard work and commitment, Chiesa's internship may be finished, but her time at Lockheed Martin goes on.
"I'll be going back over winter break for a little bit, then starting full-time after graduating this May," said Chiesa.
"I am so excited for the opportunity."
Whether she's on or off the lacrosse field, Maya Chiesa is at her best when working with people. An opportunity to intern this summer at Lockheed Martin in Owego, New York helped solidify that fact.
And it led to something even greater.
"I am definitely a hands-on learner," said Chiesa. "I was not at my desk often. I work the best when I'm with other people and working on a team.
"I got both of those experiences this summer," she continued. "Lockheed Martin ended up offering me a full-time position and I accepted."
The full-time position will begin after she graduates in May. For now, Chiesa is grateful that her internship was allowed to continue at a time when many across the nation were being cancelled, or turned fully remote.
Chiesa actually interviewed for the position in March, the day before the Mountain Hawks' lacrosse season was cancelled.
"I was probably the last person who actually went on-site for interviews," she said. "It was the day before everything started to shut down [around the country]. I applied to a whole bunch of internships and was fortunate that Lockheed Martin offered me the position."
Chiesa is a materials science and engineering major so the company, and internship, tied in perfectly with her career goals. Lockheed Martin is an aerospace and defense company.
"They are a government contractor," said Chiesa. "I was able to go into the office every day and work hands-on. I worked on the manufacturing floor and in the lab. Obviously, there were a lot of restrictions. We had to wear masks every day and the majority of the staff was working remotely.
"I focused on materials science and process engineering, like how to put things together, manufacturing processes and things of that nature," she continued. "I actually worked with a Lehigh alumnus who served as a mentor. He was also a materials science and engineering major at Lehigh, so I was able to learn from somebody who shared a common college experience."
The plant where Chiesa worked in Owego is in the RMS (Rotary Mission Systems) Division of Lockheed Martin, which has a lot to do with helicopters. There were over 100 interns in Owego over the summer that included college and high school students. Some of the interns worked on-site, virtual or a blend of both.
"I went back-and-forth between the manufacturing floor, the lab and other areas," said Chiesa. "On the manufacturing floor, a lot of it has to do with assembling of electronics. I was able to get some hands-on experience with the processes. I was also part of the assembly of a big project for them. I would physically read drawings from mechanical engineers and interpret those, figure out the best ways to put together the project, then actually put it together."
Meanwhile, in the lab, Chiesa often conducted failure analyses.
"We took cross sections of certain materials we wanted to do some research on, examined them under a microscope and see how they'd react under certain conditions," she said. "Conditions would be related to those on a plane or helicopter – like temperature and vibrations."
Chiesa began her internship on June 1 and it ran through mid-August. Those 10+ weeks helped solidify her long-term interests.
"I've known since eighth grade that I wanted to do materials science and engineering," she said. "I really thought this was the major I wanted and the summer just solidified everything for me.
"This is what I want to be doing. I have a passion for it and am excited for the future."
Chiesa has reason to be excited. At a time with so many unknowns in the world stemming from the pandemic, she has earned the full-time opportunity. Along with proving herself as an intern this summer, Chiesa currently owns a 3.61 cumulative GPA.
"I feel very fortunate I was even offered the job and it does make me feel better going into this year," she said. "It's nice to know that I have something to look forward to post-graduation, even at an uncertain time in the world."
First thing's first. Chiesa has other things to look forward to in her senior year at Lehigh, as she's back with her team preparing for a spring season (if the pandemic allows).
"I believe being a hard worker and working well with a team helped me secure the full-time offer," said Chiesa. "A lot of my Lehigh experiences have definitely prepared me for the job. I've been an athlete since I was very little and I've always liked being part of a team. I think that's why I appreciate a work environment where you can work as a team, and you're on a team with people who have the same goals as you.
"I get that both in lacrosse and now in the workplace."
Chiesa also credits what she's learned in the classroom.
"I've had some amazing classes and professors who have prepared me very well," she said. "My ability to learn hands-on is a strength, so I was able to adjust to things quickly. And the fact that I really enjoyed what I was doing helped me succeed."
For someone who thrives in a team environment, being able to experience Lockheed Martin in person brought out the best in Chiesa.
"After being home since March, to be able to go somewhere else, do something every day and interact with people was awesome," she said.
Because of her hard work and commitment, Chiesa's internship may be finished, but her time at Lockheed Martin goes on.
"I'll be going back over winter break for a little bit, then starting full-time after graduating this May," said Chiesa.
"I am so excited for the opportunity."
Players Mentioned
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