Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Interning in Alabama? Here’s what you can learn from FuelAL
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This summer, interns across Alabama got a taste of what the state has to offer through FuelAL, a free summer program powered by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA).
With a full summer of community programming across nine Alabama communities, plus two statewide summits in Huntsville and Birmingham, FuelAL gave college interns a chance to explore new cities, connect with industry leaders and peers and expand their career horizons in a big way.
We caught up with Megan Powell, who attended the Huntsville summit, to get the scoop on what Fuel AL offers Alabama interns.
Meet Megan Powell
Megan Powell is a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of South Alabama with a minor in Studio Arts focusing on glassblowing. Powell was interning at Austal, a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, when she heard about FuelAL.
“It immediately caught my interest because it offered a unique opportunity to grow my professional network, something that’s pretty essential in my field, while giving me the chance to explore a new place and gain exposure to industries I hadn’t considered before.”
Like many young people transitioning from college into the work force, she jumped at the chance to network with peers in her field. But FuelAL isn’t all panels and lectures—it offers plenty of time for organic social connection through meals at local spots, live music and social mixers.
FuelAL’s jam-packed itinerary
The Huntsville summit—which was designed around Mobility, with experiences centered on aerospace, automotive and defense—delivered a jam-packed itinerary, including:
- Live music + social time at Stovehouse
- Behind-the-scenes tour of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
- Discussions with professionals in defense + aerospace
- Visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
According to Megan, her highlight was learning about the Payload Operations Center or PAYCOMs—a highly technical but often overlooked role in aerospace that piqued her interest.
“I had no idea there were roles in the aerospace industry that weren’t traditional “rocket science,” but still deeply technical and impactful.
PAYCOMs don’t just communicate with astronauts, they build relationships with them to better support high-stress missions. That insight expanded my view of what’s possible with my engineering degree.”
At the Birmingham summit, the agenda focused on Innovation and Impact, specifically highlighting Alabama’s growing technology sector. Here’s a peak at what Birmingham interns got to experience:
- Social time at spots like Surf Hound, Jeni’s Lane Parke + Golden Age Wine
- Tour of Shipt Tower
- Innovation + Impact luncheon panel at The Club
- Tour of Hardware Park
Megan’s advice for future interns
FuelAL isn’t just about career exposure—it’s about personal growth and confidence-building, too.
“FuelAL helped me become more comfortable in professional settings. I may not show it outwardly, but I still get nervous speaking to professionals. However, experiences like this push me out of my comfort zone and make me more confident over time, especially important as I aspire to take on leadership roles in my future career.”
Along the way, she also connected with inspiring mentors like Karen Ray, Education & Workforce Development Project Engineer at the National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining (NCDMM), whose advice helped Megan rethink her career path and even consider broadening her opportunities.
Her advice for future interns? Take it all in.
“Take full advantage of the opportunities FuelAL provides; They’re essentially handed to you on a silver platter. Be intentional with your networking, ask questions and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”
FuelAL’s impact
Here’s a look at FuelAL’s impact, by the numbers:
- Over 1,200 students have participated in FuelAL since its launch in 2022.
- 74% of alumni said FuelAL directly influenced their decision to stay or move to Alabama after graduation.
- 40% of alumni have accepted full-time jobs in Alabama after participating in the program.
Interning in Alabama next summer? Learn more about FuelAL + discover how EDPA is helping students build futures right here in our backyard.
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