GEM Fellow, ATLAS Alumnus Finds Value in APL Experiences
When Kenneth Newsome first visited APL in 2006, as an ATLAS summer intern, Vincent Knox of the Office of Counsel served as his mentor, and he worked in the Space Department, performing circuit design and testing program development in support of radiation effects testing.
“That summer taught me the importance of learning from those around me,” Newsome says. “Each team member has areas where they excel, and one should try their best to learn those skills from others and apply them in areas they are working in.”
Newsome is back at APL this summer, this time as a GEM Engineering Fellow. GEM fellowships, which are sponsored by the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, seeks to promote the benefits of a master’s degree within the engineering industry. GEM fellows are provided practical engineering summer work experiences through an employer sponsor, as well as a $10,000 stipend over three semesters/four quarters; at least two paid summer internships with a GEM employer member; and waived tuition and fees at a GEM university. Newsome’s GEM experience is also enhanced by his mentors, Robert Dobyns of the Space Department, and Ralph Semmel, Head of the Applied Information Sciences Department.
“In the summer of 2006, during various ATLAS meetings, we were told about GEM and all the benefits of the program,” Newsome says. “We were encouraged to research the program and apply for the fellowship. I made it known that I was very interested in being sponsored by APL. Fortunately, APL decided to sponsor me and now I am here.”
Newsome is assigned to the Space Components Engineering Group and has worked on several different assignments. “The entire experience—the ATLAS internship and now the GEM fellowship—has been extremely valuable,” says Newsome, who graduated from Morgan State University with a B.S. in electrical engineering and is now pursuing an M.S. in systems engineering at University of Maryland Baltimore County. “I have gotten to develop skills in several areas, and I am constantly learning and applying new things. Also, I have been fortunate to work with extremely intelligent people who I’ve been able to learn a great deal from.”
Newsome says he hopes to continue to learn from APL engineers and to continue to add skills to his “toolbox.” “I would definitely (and do) recommend others to consider APL for internships and full-time work,” he says. “It’s a great environment to work in and it also offers a wide variety of potential work areas.”