Summer Internship Spotlight: Luke Hogan (B‘26), Finance Defense at Boeing

Each year, Georgetown McDonough students spend their summers in Washington, D.C., across the nation, and around the world working in corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations. Meet a few of our graduate and undergraduate students in our 2024 Summer Internship Spotlight series.

Tell us about your summer internship.

I am currently an intern with Boeing in Mesa, Arizona, at one of their corporate-shared finance  centers, which provides finance services to all Boeing subsidiaries. In my internship, I work with and shadow teammates on their respective Boeing programs. My team specializes in labor and collaborates with engineers on various aircraft manufacturing and sustainment projects, providing fascinating insights and background work into the diverse products Boeing offers.

How did your internship relate to your professional or personal interests? 

I have always been interested in aviation. My previous summers were spent at Boston Logan International Airport, working at JetBlue and Aer Lingus within their airport operations. However, my interest gradually shifted towards the aircrafts themselves and Boeing has provided the perfect platform to further explore my aeronautical interest. This internship has not only deepened my understanding of finance, accounting, and management, but also has shown me how to align my degree with an aviation career. Lastly, exploring the manufacturing plant has been eye-opening and allowed me to learn more about the aircraft while understanding the production process I was supporting. 

How did you find your internship? 

McDonough’s Career Center has been really helpful with its resources, recommendations, and resume reviews for finding internships. With Boeing’s name recognition and after speaking to professionals in the aviation industry, I went directly to the company’s website and came across the posting for the finance internship. After applying, I was lucky enough to receive an interview.

What’s the most interesting or impactful thing you worked on during your internship?

As the largest exporter in the United States, Boeing has manufacturing, services, and administration sites worldwide. Therefore, the most interesting part of the internship was the chance to meet and hear from leaders in different countries, while learning how a large corporation like Boeing navigates the complex global landscape for businesses.

What did a typical day look like? 

I start the day in the office by attending team meetings or shadowing teammates. Throughout the day, there are always great opportunities to head to the manufacturing building or meet with fellow interns, employees, and leadership from different departments across the company. A unique aspect of my internship is that every Friday the finance development team hosts a half-day program where interns can learn more about Boeing, the diverse finance teams, and essential skills we should know while interacting with other interns from across the country at different Boeing sites. There were always fantastic intern events or volunteering opportunities to end the work day.

What advice do you have for other students when it comes to internships?

Be open to getting out of your comfort zone. I was initially skeptical about accepting my Boeing offer because I didn’t have any ties to Arizona. However, I am thankful that I took the leap (despite my initial surprise at the intense heat). I’ve found the experience of living and working in Arizona to be really enjoyable and almost as rewarding as the internship itself. It has been an opportunity to embrace a different environment and gain a new perspective, both personally and professionally. Lastly, while I have learned a lot about the aeronautical field, I have, more importantly, met many amazing people at Boeing and could not imagine my experience without them.