At NTI, we believe in creating meaningful opportunities for service members transitioning into the civilian workforce. Through the DOD SkillBridge program, we provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and a strong foundation for future careers. Recently, our Talent Acquisition Portfolio Manager, Starla Condes, sat down with Kevin Williams, one of our SkillBridge interns, for an exit interview to reflect on his journey with NTI.
A Transformational Experience
For Kevin, his time at NTI was more than just an internship—it was an eye-opening introduction to the cybersecurity and IT world. “Just from my time here, I feel like this would be almost a dream job. It’s exceeded everything I thought it would be,” he shared. Kevin expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing how the experience set him on the right path.
"Getting my feet wet here put me a step above others who don’t have this experience or a security clearance. It’s definitely set me on the right trajectory,” he said. His time at NTI allowed him to gain exposure to different facets of cybersecurity, networking, and IT operations, providing a well-rounded perspective that will serve him well in the next phase of his career.
The Power of Mentorship
One of the standout aspects of Kevin’s SkillBridge experience was the mentorship and support he received. He highlighted how NTI’s team, many of whom are prior military, understood his goals and actively helped him develop the skills and confidence needed for a successful transition.
"The mentorship was on a whole different level. They knew how to push me and motivate me. They understood what I wanted to achieve and helped me work toward those goals,” Kevin explained.
This guidance gave him the clarity and confidence to pursue his next steps. While he initially envisioned himself in a specific cybersecurity role, being exposed to different career paths allowed him to broaden his perspective and make more informed decisions about his future.
Advice for Future SkillBridge Interns
As he prepares to step into the civilian workforce, Kevin has one piece of advice for service members considering SkillBridge: come in with an open mind.
"At the beginning, I was hard set on one thing—cybersecurity. But when you close yourself off, you miss opportunities. I trusted my mentors, took the chance, and gained knowledge far beyond what I expected,” he reflected.
He encourages future interns to embrace the learning experience, take advantage of mentorship, and maintain the same level of dedication and discipline they had in the military.
The NTI Commitment
NTI is proud to support transitioning service members through SkillBridge. We are committed to mentorship, hands-on training, and career development to ensure our interns leave with valuable skills and confidence in their career paths. As Kevin moves forward, we look forward to seeing his continued success and hope to reconnect in the future.
“This experience was a blessing. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the NTI team,” Kevin said as he reflected on his time with us.
We’re honored to have been part of Kevin’s journey and can’t wait to see what’s next for him!