Meet a Leidos Summer Intern Turned Employee: Clare Clever

Five years ago, Clare started his summer internship at Leidos, eager to learn and contribute. Today, he is an essential member of the team and a reminder of how dedication and a desire to learn can lead to a thriving career. 

"The most positive surprise during my transition from intern to full-time employee was the immediate trust and increased responsibility I was given," Clare said. "It felt like a true investment in my growth." 

Check out what Clare has to say about how his summer internship turned into a meaningful career:

Where did you go to school, what did you major in and when did you graduate?

I went to the College of Charleston in South Carolina. I majored in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science. I graduated in the Spring of 2021.

When did you intern at Leidos? Did you do this in person, hybrid or virtually?

I interned with Leidos the summer before my Senior year in 2020. I lived in Gaithersburg, MD, and worked in-person there until I moved to Charleston to be closer to family during the pandemic. I have been working remotely ever since.

Why did you decide to join Leidos after graduation?

The company's strong presence in the government and military sectors particularly appealed to me. The sheer variety and impact of the work Leidos undertakes in these critical areas were significant factors in my decision to actively pursue opportunities here. Also, the collective expertise and dedication of my team, along with the overall environment, significantly influenced my decision to continue my career at Leidos. 

What are you currently doing at Leidos?

I am currently working in the Health sector to rapidly develop prototype applications in Salesforce- designing and engineering scalable enterprise services, and building reusable and versatile software components.

What has kept you at Leidos over the past few years?

I've been fortunate to work on a lot of really cool programs at Leidos, and the opportunity to experience a variety of project roles has definitely kept me here. I've had the unique chance to grow my skills by working in various capacities, including Systems Engineering (SE), Software Engineering (SW), Infrastructure (Infra), Integration, and Logistics. This continuous exposure to diverse projects and evolving roles has been a major reason I've stayed with Leidos over the years.

Any advice for current students who are looking for an internship or just completed their summer internship?

For current students looking for an internship, it’s all about networking. Have a good one-page resume, but also reach out to people directly to build bonds. Get referrals and contact hiring managers and recruiters directly to stand out. For recent interns, don’t be afraid to have career discussions with your manager. Start the next steps towards the end of your internship. They know the next step will be to bring you on full time, but that often won’t just happen. Sometimes you need to express interest to push that agenda.

What is your favorite food?

A great steak, medium-rare.

At Leidos, whether you join for a summer internship or sign on as a co-op during the academic year, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a team on critical projects, either at a Leidos facility or on a customer site. View our current internship opportunities and apply today to join the Leidos family!