How the Corridor is Growing Its Own

GTRI interns collaborate on real-world STEM projects at the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Warner Robins Field Office. Internship experiences like these help connect students with careers while strengthening Middle Georgia’s future workforce. Photo by Christopher Moore.

For many students, the first day of an internship is the first time they’ve stepped inside a research lab, watched engineers solve real-world problems or seen how software supports a national defense mission. 
 
That opportunity often becomes the moment they discover they can build meaningful careers close to home. Within weeks, they’re contributing alongside experienced professionals, gaining confidence and seeing firsthand the opportunities available in Middle Georgia. That’s where the region’s future workforce begins to take shape. 
 
The Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor (MGIC) brings together industry, education, government and community partners to grow the region’s innovation economy and future workforce. Internships bring that collaboration to life by connecting students with careers and helping employers grow the next generation of talent. As demand for skilled workers grows, MGIC invites more employers and partners to invest in internships that strengthen Middle Georgia’s future workforce. 

Growing Our Own Talent

Recruiting experienced professionals remains important, but so does growing talent close to home. Middle Georgia is doing just that by helping students discover and prepare for careers already available in the region.

Internships connect students with careers in engineering, cybersecurity, research and advanced manufacturing while helping employers grow future talent.

That investment is paying off. Each year, 70 to 100 students from Middle Georgia apply for the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s (GTRI) high school internship program. Today, the Warner Robins Field Office welcomes about eight local students each year, reflecting both the strength of Middle Georgia’s student talent and the opportunity to expand internship opportunities across the region.

According to GTRI, the quality of applicants continues to improve each year as students arrive better prepared with the technical, communication and teamwork skills needed to contribute in professional environments. Those gains reflect years of investment by Middle Georgia’s schools, businesses and community partners, and demonstrate what’s possible when education and industry work together.

Students participate in GTRI’s High School Internship Program, building technical skills and preparing for careers that strengthen Middle Georgia’s future workforce. Photo by Na Moeiini Reilly.

“We set out to solve a real workforce need, hiring hundreds of highly skilled engineers and computer scientists each year, and the best solution was to grow that talent right here in Middle Georgia. That’s the power of strategic collaboration. It’s not just a pipeline; it’s a proven track record of building the workforce this region needs to compete and win.”— Bob Herrmann, Executive Director, Middle Georgia STEM Alliance

Partnerships Already Making a Difference

Across Middle Georgia, partnerships are creating new opportunities for students and employers. 

Project Synergy grew from a shared commitment to meet a critical workforce need. By bringing together the 402nd Software Engineering Group, local schools, higher education and community partners, the initiative is helping grow the engineers and computer scientists the region needs while connecting students with careers close to home. 

Partners including the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Northrop Grumman and others are expanding opportunities by connecting students with experienced professionals.

Layla Brown (Florida A&M University) and Lucas Strout (Mercer) are supporting MERC’s Electronic Warfare and Avionics product area with software characterization and modeling of radar parameters. These radar parameters are an integral part of a MERC-designed battlespace simulator that allows customers to plan the electromagnetic warfare component of a mission.

The impact of investing in local student talent extends well beyond a single summer. In a recent survey of former GTRI interns, 93% said they would recommend the program, 88% highlighted the value of mentorship and 10% later returned to GTRI as interns or employees. Those outcomes show how internship programs strengthen individual organizations while building the future workforce Middle Georgia needs. 
 
Early exposure helps students see Middle Georgia as a place to build careers and lives.

Why Employers Invest Early

Internships require time, mentorship and planning, but the benefits continue long after the experience ends. Students build relationships with professionals while employers connect with future talent.

“At MERC, we see internships as an investment in the future of Middle Georgia. Students gain meaningful, hands-on experience solving real technical challenges alongside our engineers, and in return, they bring fresh perspectives that make our entire team stronger. Steel sharpens steel, and that’s exactly what happens when experienced professionals and emerging talent work together.” — Gerry Ringe, Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC)

Building the Future Together

Every internship helps students discover careers, employers grow future talent and Middle Georgia strengthens its innovation ecosystem. Together, those investments build the workforce the region needs for the future. 
 
Defense contractors, employers, educational institutions and regional partners interested in creating or expanding internship opportunities are encouraged to connect with MGIC. Together, we can connect more students with meaningful work experiences and grow the skilled workforce Middle Georgia needs to move forward.