Name: Raihan Vahora
Pronouns: He/Him
Semester of Internship: Summer 2025
Major: Business Technology Administration
Current Class Level: Senior
This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Hughes Network Systems (EchoStar )
Location of the Organization (City, State): Germantown,MD
Title of position: Planning Intern
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship, I was introduced to end-to-end production planning in a manufacturing environment, where I learned how demand translates into material requirements, work orders, and execution on the shop floor. As I progressed, the role expanded and was later converted into a full-time position. In that capacity, I managed production planning for three different manufacturing lines along with a machine shop. My day-to-day responsibilities included releasing and prioritizing work orders, monitoring material availability, resolving shortages, coordinating with procurement and engineering teams, and ensuring builds were aligned with the production schedule. I tracked and reported key performance indicators such as WIP, work order aging, schedule adherence, and material shortages to maintain operational flow and drive continuous improvement. The experience gave me strong exposure to cross-functional collaboration, ERP-driven planning, and real-time problem solving in a fast-paced environment.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I first learned about the position through LinkedIn while actively searching for opportunities aligned with production planning and supply chain. After reviewing the job description and seeing how closely it matched my academic background and internship experience, I submitted my application through the company’s online portal shortly afterward. The recruitment process included initial screening conversations followed by formal interviews where I discussed my experience with production planning, ERP systems, and KPI tracking. After successfully completing the interview stages, I was offered the internship, which later transitioned into a full-time role based on my performance and contributions.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Alumni Networking, LinkedIn or other social media
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I’ve enjoyed most about my position is the opportunity to take ownership of real production planning responsibilities and see the direct impact of my decisions on manufacturing performance. I also value the fast-paced environment and cross-functional collaboration, which has helped me grow both technically and professionally.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I’ve made an impact by improving production visibility and proactively managing material shortages before they affected build schedules. By closely tracking KPIs such as WIP, work order aging, and schedule adherence, I helped maintain smoother production flow and supported on-time delivery. My coordination with procurement, engineering, and shop floor teams also reduced delays and improved overall planning accuracy.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
My advice would be to apply early, stay consistent, and don’t be discouraged by rejections. Use LinkedIn to network and connect with professionals in roles you’re interested in, and tailor your resume to highlight measurable impact, not just responsibilities. Most importantly, once you get the opportunity, treat it like a full-time job — take ownership, ask questions, and look for ways to add value beyond what’s assigned.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
Favorite Quote: “Success is built in the small details you manage every single day.”
What I valued most about my internship was the opportunity to take ownership of real production planning responsibilities and see how my decisions directly impacted manufacturing performance. The UMBC Career Center supported me early in the process by helping refine my resume and providing career guidance, which gave me the confidence to pursue and secure this opportunity