This summer, Bell welcomed 176 interns to Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas, Piney Flats Service Center in Tennessee, Bells’ Advanced Vertical Lift Center in Washington, D.C . and all Dallas-Fort Worth facilities. Interns are working in many different functions throughout Bell from aerospace engineering to finance and accounting.

With 42 percent of Bell interns returning from various Textron business units, Bell has chosen to spotlight four returning interns in honor of National Intern Day 2024, shedding light on what draws them back to Textron and Bell.

 Titus Klutz, Manufacturing and Technology Center Intern

A rising senior, Titus is a returning intern working in manufacturing and innovation at the Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC). As a resident of Tomball, Texas, Titus felt that Bell was a natural option, seeing as he lives and goes to Texas A&M also in Texas. Last summer, Titus was able to work at the MTC and gained valuable innovation and engineering experience, which encouraged him to reapply. When asked about why he wanted to return this summer, Titus said it was the people that made the difference. “The people make you feel valued and not just an intern,” he said. “Being surrounded by a supportive and encouraging team is a great aspect of Bell.” 

Having one summer completed where he was able to work on unique projects creating aerospace products, Titus felt confident returning to Bell this summer. When asked for advice for first-year interns, Titus emphasized the people. “Talk to as many people as you can, even if it’s not in your specific area and always say yes to opportunities. Fill your plate up!”, he said. Titus’s time at Bell has been productive and he will take what he learned and the connections he made to further his career after college. 

Sheridan Burns, Global Trade Compliance Intern

As a Global Trade Compliance Intern, Sheridan works in the legal department on many projects to support her team. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she is also earing her master’s through a program offered at her university, Miami University. Sheridan began her journey with Textron last summer working as a Financial Planning and Analysis Intern at Textron Corporate. This was where she learned to adapt to corporate lifestyle and balance being on a team. She was able to expand her connections and receive her second and current internship in the legal department. With this new role, Bell wanted to ensure Sheridan was growing in her career, so they offered her unique projects that align with her master’s program. 

Being a returning intern, Sheridan has learned to engage with as many people as possible and make relationships that will benefit her future career. As an intern with experience, Sheridan offered a few tips for new interns. “I encourage all interns to have the courage to try new things and grow out of their comfort zone,” Sheridan said. She has also learned to actively seek out relationships and projects that fit her experience to advance her work. She greatly enjoys working with her team and feels as though they have pulled her in as one of their own.

Karina Morales, Product Marketing Intern

As a product marketing intern, Karina collaborates with the marketing and sales teams on customer facing tools, technical support, and product analysis. She is on track to graduate in December 2024 with a triple Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain, international business, and marketing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Karina is a returning Bell intern from 2023. During her previous internship, she worked at Bell headquarters as a supply chain intern, where she was closely involved with the organization's development and training department. Her time at Bell allowed her to thrive in a supportive work culture, fostering numerous relationships with the team and fellow interns. 

When the opportunity arose to apply for Bell's 2024 summer internship program, Karina did not hesitate, confident that Bell was the right place for her. When asked for advice to share with first-year interns, Karina imparted knowledge from her past summer. "Take it all in; it goes by so fast. You'll find yourself reflecting on all the relationships you've built and the career progress you've made after the internship is over," she said. If Bell has taught Karina one thing it is the importance of building relationships and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Michael Okonkwo, Infrastructure Analysis Intern

As an infrastructure analysis intern, Michael works on Bell’s servers, databases and in the data center. He is a junior and plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science in computer science from Baylor University. From Katy, Texas, Michael is a returning Textron intern from 2023 where he worked at Textron Corporate as a cyber analysis intern, focused on cyber security. His previous time with Textron allowed him to learn more about the corporate workplace and gain hands-on IT experience through various projects.  

Michael has loved his time as an intern with Bell. He appreciates the support he receives from his team and all employees as he is entrusted with new projects. His team encourages him to ask questions and learn from each other.  When asked to give advice to current and future interns, Michael suggested working on various projects. “Reach out to as many people as possible, don’t be embarrassed. If something sparks your interest, ask around to see how you can be involved in that,” he said. Bell has taught Michael the importance of meeting new people, and because of his outgoing nature, he has developed a strong network and community across Textron.

For more information about Bell’s internship program, click here.