This summer, IBH student Duncan Kuchar ’26 realized a long-held dream by interning at SpaceX, an aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches spacecraft, rockets, and satellites. The junior aerospace engineering major’s journey to this prestigious company began in his freshman year, as he persistently applied to various internship openings, leveraging connections with UMD alumni at SpaceX.
During his internship, Kuchar worked on recovery operations in Long Beach and Hawthorne, CA, focusing on the logistics of processing reusable boosters after landing on drone ships. His role was hands-on, involving both technical and logistical challenges.
“It was a great experience,” said Kuchar. “I was entrusted with important responsibilities and I felt I made a significant impact.”
The experience was one of gaining not only new technical skills but also learning how to network and interact with a team of some of the world’s top aerospace engineering experts. He learned the importance of humility and “knowing what you don’t know” in the workplace. He was also introduced to SpaceX’s culture of “extreme ownership,” or the expectation that a team lead takes full ownership and accountability of their team’s system design.
“These were great lessons for me because I want to take on a managerial role on teams like these as I move forward in my career,” Kuchar said.
The IBH program played a crucial role in Kuchar’s success at SpaceX. It provided him with a well-rounded education that complemented his technical engineering skills, enabling him to manage projects both financially and strategically. The program’s emphasis on understanding the broader business context, such as conducting ROI analyses and considering process changes, set him apart from other interns. Additionally, IBH’s focus on teamwork and presentation skills proved invaluable in SpaceX’s demanding environment, characterized by a young, ambitious workforce.
Kuchar has received a company recommendation to return to SpaceX next summer and is eager to explore working on new teams within the company. He is particularly excited about more opportunities to combine his technical skills with his passion for leadership and teamwork.
—
The IBH program provides students with access to cutting-edge professional and technical business skills and provides opportunities for broader thinking about the role of business in the world through multiple disciplines. Learn more about the IBH program at ibh.umd.edu.
