Every summer, students from across the country take part in Textron’s internship program. It is 10 weeks of hands-on experience across business functions including engineering,  Supply Chain, Finance, IT, HR, and more. For some, that summer is just the beginning.

The Textron Student Ambassador Program gives recent intern alumni the opportunity to represent Textron on their college campuses, hosting events, connecting with peers, and sharing firsthand insight into what it means to build a career here. Learn from current Student Ambassadors at Embry-Riddle, Purdue, and Texas A&M.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CAMPUS AND CAREER

Recruiters are a great source of information, but hearing from someone who sat in the same lecture halls, stressed over the same exams, and then pursued similar interests offers a different perspective.

“A lot of times when talking to companies, you are speaking with someone outside of your field and/or with a full-time job,” said Harris, a computer science student at Purdue University. “It can be very intimidating for current students, so I wanted to help connect the bridge between school and industry for those exploring different opportunities.”

Triniti, an aerospace engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, was drawn to the program for the same reason.

“I was inspired by previous Student Ambassadors to apply for the program,” she said. “The opportunity to engage with fellow students, connect with a different aspect of Textron, and learn more about our other business units was appealing to me as I was looking to grow personally and professionally.”

For Josiah, an aerospace engineering student at Texas A&M University, applying was about paying forward the guidance he had received.

“As I navigated the process of securing my first internship, I was fortunate to have many mentors guide me along the way,” he said. “I jumped at the chance to become a Student Ambassador so that I could pay that forward by sharing my knowledge and highlighting the great opportunities at Textron with my peers.”

THE SKILLS YOU BUILD STAY WITH YOU

“This role has given me the opportunity to strengthen my communication, leadership, and networking skills,” said Triniti. “Being an ambassador has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me how to adapt and lead with confidence.”

Harris came into the role without much experience organizing events.

“Organizing and coordinating events was something that I had not previously done in the past, and it was certainly a challenge I had to overcome,” Harris said. “Ensuring I had a game plan for every event was something that took time. I wanted whatever event I was hosting to be as smooth as possible for myself and students attending to create a better overall experience.”

The role opened doors Josiah hadn’t expected.

“Professionally, this role grew my network through collaborations with employees across different businesses, including Bell, Textron Aviation, and Kautex,” Josiah said. “Personally, this role expanded my soft skills in event planning, advertising, and public speaking. These are new skills that I will carry with me throughout my career.”

WHAT AMBASSADORS LOVE SHARING ABOUT TEXTRON

“My favorite thing to highlight about Textron when talking to students is the company culture,” said Triniti. “My coworkers were always willing to answer questions and help me learn. I especially appreciated being included in department traditions and having opportunities to shadow different teams while learning about a variety of disciplines within the company.”

Harris tells students about a small testing project he built during his internship. Weeks later, an automated email landed in his inbox confirming the system was running exactly as it should.

“All the tasks I was given over the summer had some level of importance,” he said. “I was never spending time just creating something that was going to collect dust on a shelf. My work had actual impact within the company.”

Josiah points to a leadership panel he attended at Bell, where executives took time to answer questions and connect directly with interns and early career employees.

“Having executives of that caliber take the time to answer our questions and genuinely connect with interns and early career employees left a lasting impression on me,” he said. “From interns to the CEO, the people make Textron so special.”

WHY FUTURE INTERNS SHOULD APPLY

“Not only do you get to continue networking with people at Textron, but you also get to help your fellow students find opportunities,” said Harris. “Getting to help students gain a better understanding of a company is extremely rewarding and it was always something I was trying to find when applying to internships.”

“The program connects you with additional resources throughout your academic career and in industry,” said Josiah. “Strengthening your understanding of both helps you become more well-rounded for future career opportunities and helps you narrow down your own career interests and goals.”

“Through the program, I have been able to network and connect with many of my peers while developing valuable skills such as communication, leadership, and event planning,” said Triniti. “Their support helped me better understand the company, navigate professional development opportunities, and gain confidence in my future career path.”

At Textron, you can build a career that spans industries and drives real innovation. It starts with you. Discover our open roles and apply today.