News Story

ACES Students Intern at WSSC

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Chloe Thompson and Samragyee Dhakal

Two University of Maryland sophomores spent their summer building technical skills, expanding their professional networks, and gaining firsthand experience in the technology industry through internships at WSSC Water. Although they worked in different areas of the organization, both students left the experience with a clearer vision for their careers and valuable lessons to share with fellow Terps.


For Chloe Thompson, a sophomore pursuing dual degrees in Computer Science and Operations Management & Business Analytics (OMBA), the internship search was about staying open to opportunities. Rather than limiting herself to one type of position, she applied broadly to business and computer science roles before discovering WSSC Water through an online job search.


"I was pretty flexible with the type of internship I wanted to pursue," Thompson said. "I preferred something on the computer science side because I had more concrete coursework in that area." 

 

Her internship focused on an IT project that allowed her to contribute throughout the summer while collaborating closely with her team. A typical day consisted of spending mornings advancing her assigned project and afternoons participating in meetings to discuss progress and coordinate next steps.


While Thompson strengthened her technical knowledge by learning to use ServiceNow, an IT service management platform used across many industries, she said the internship's biggest impact was on her professional skills.


"I refined my professional communication skills through discussing updates and helping others on virtual calls," she said. "I also learned how to work in small project teams, which is very different from the individual projects I was used to in my coursework."


The experience reinforced her interest in pursuing a career in data analytics or product management, where collaboration and project management are essential.


Networking also played a key role in Thompson's professional development. She found connecting with University of Maryland alumni through student organizations and LinkedIn particularly valuable, helping her learn more about the field and discover internship opportunities.


She encourages students to become involved in organizations that provide meaningful experiences outside the classroom. "Student organizations gave me experiences that became important talking points during interviews," Thompson said. "They also helped me connect with students and alumni who have supported me professionally."


Thompson also advises students not to become discouraged by the increasingly competitive internship market. "It's okay if you don't find an internship right away," she said. "Find something relevant to your field that allows you to continue learning, even independently. Smaller companies can also offer interns opportunities to make a bigger impact."


For fellow sophomore Samragyee Dhakal, a Computer Engineering major, the path to WSSC Water began long before college. After receiving a scholarship in high school, she attended an awards ceremony where she spoke about her interests and accomplishments. That presentation unexpectedly led to an internship opportunity after graduation, launching her early career in technology.


During her time at WSSC Water, Dhakal served as a Data Network Engineering intern and explored multiple departments throughout the organization. Exposure to different teams ultimately sparked her interest in cybersecurity.


"Through this experience, I became particularly interested in cybersecurity after seeing the work the team was doing to protect systems and infrastructure," she said.


A typical day began around 8 a.m. and involved contributing to projects based on team priorities. The work introduced her to networking, applications, infrastructure, and the interconnected systems that support critical public utilities.


Her internship also provided valuable exposure to both information technology and operational technology security, giving her a deeper understanding of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure environments.


"This internship strengthened my interest in cybersecurity and influenced my goal to pursue roles focused on protecting essential systems," Dhakal said.


Outside the workplace, Dhakal prepared for success through coursework in Computer Engineering and the ACES Honors College cybersecurity curriculum. She also earned CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA A+ certifications, building a strong technical foundation before entering the internship.


She credits the Engineering Career Center at Maryland with helping strengthen her resume and encourages students to recognize that opportunities can come when they least expect them.


"Always present yourself professionally," Dhakal said. "You never know who is in the audience or what opportunities can come from a single interaction."


Although Thompson and Dhakal followed different paths to WSSC Water and pursued distinct career interests, their experiences shared common themes: staying open to opportunities, building technical and professional skills, and taking advantage of every chance to learn.


As internship opportunities become increasingly competitive, both students demonstrate that success can come through persistence, preparation, and a willingness to embrace experiences that help shape future career goals.

Published August 17, 2026