Published 09/01/2026
A summer internship can be more than a line on a résumé, it can be the start of a career.
Each year, the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Central Virginia Node (CVN) connects talented students with organizations across Central Virginia, providing opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects, develop in-demand technical and professional skills, and gain the hands-on experience needed to succeed in Virginia’s growing cybersecurity workforce.
The CVN 2026 Intern Impact Series shines a spotlight on these experiences, highlighting the students, mentors, and industry partners working together to strengthen the region’s cybersecurity ecosystem. In this first installment, meet three Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students whose summer internships at Spanalytics LLC and AMC Technology demonstrate the impact of learning by doing.
Solving Real Problems from Day One
For many students, internships offer a first glimpse into professional life. For Govind Aryan Smitha, Theodora Yakoub, and Savir Raj Singh Mohill, the experience became much more than that, it was an opportunity to make meaningful contributions while developing the skills they’ll carry into their careers.
Whether building cybersecurity testing tools or exploring how artificial intelligence can improve customer experiences, each intern spent the summer applying classroom knowledge to projects with real-world impact.
Govind Aryan Smitha | Spanalytics
As a rising senior at Virginia Commonwealth University with an interest in cybersecurity, Govind was eager to gain hands-on experience in the field. At Spanalytics, he joined the engineering team to help develop an Internet of Things (IoT) testing tool that supports the company’s wireless cybersecurity products. The tool helps engineers generate consistent wireless traffic, making it easier to test and validate software before it’s released. What began as an internship assignment quickly evolved into a project that will continue supporting the engineering team after Govind’s internship ends.
“College teaches you the concepts, but getting to see how these devices actually work in a company is a completely different experience,” Govind said.
Govind’s work also left a lasting impression on his mentors.
“We’ve given him extra tasks because he’s been working faster than we expected,” said Rhonda Smithbey, Senior Software Engineer and Test Lead at Spanalytics. “He’s actually working on a tool that will help me in my job… We’re all impressed with him.”
Looking back on the experience, Govind encourages future interns to build coding and cybersecurity projects outside the classroom, noting that even small projects can help students stand out during the hiring process.
Theodora Yakoub & Savir Raj Singh Mohill | AMC Technology
Across town at AMC Technology, rising VCU students Theodora Yakoub and Savir Raj Singh Mohill spent the summer helping develop artificial intelligence solutions designed to improve customer service experiences.
Working alongside software engineers, the pair contributed to AI-powered customer service agents capable of responding to customers in real time. Rather than completing hypothetical assignments, they were trusted with projects that addressed real business challenges while gaining experience with emerging technologies.
“They are building AI agents to create customer service use cases where customers can get answers in real time,” said Praveen Ravela, Head of Contact Center and Communications Solutions and Products at AMC Technology.
For Theodora, who returned to AMC after previously interning with the company, one of the biggest takeaways was the support she received from her team.
“Everyone has taken the time to explain concepts to me and has been there for me every step of the way,” she said.
Savir said the internship fundamentally changed how he thinks about solving problems.
“Problem solving isn’t just about finding the answer, it’s about understanding why the solution works.”
AMC Technology intentionally structures its internship program around meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare students for their future careers.
“We put them in real-world experiences where they’re literally having to demo and speak to the business benefits of what they’re developing,” said Mariah Mays, Marketing Director at AMC Technology.
Reflecting on their experiences, both students emphasized that internships aren’t about knowing everything on day one, they’re about being willing to learn, ask questions, and grow alongside experienced professionals.
Building Tomorrow’s Cybersecurity Workforce
Although their projects looked different, Govind, Theodora, and Savir shared a common experience: they were trusted to contribute, encouraged to grow, and empowered to solve real-world challenges.
These internships represent more than summer opportunities. They demonstrate how partnerships between CCI CVN, higher education, and industry are helping build a stronger cybersecurity workforce across Central Virginia. By connecting students with meaningful experiences, employers gain fresh perspectives while students graduate with the confidence, technical skills, and professional experience needed to make an immediate impact in Virginia’s technology ecosystem.
As the CVN 2026 Intern Impact Series continues, we’ll introduce more students whose internships are shaping not only their futures, but the future of cybersecurity across the Commonwealth.
Hear Their Stories
Want to hear directly from Govind, Theodora and Savir?
Watch them share the projects they worked on, the lessons they learned and the advice they have for future interns in the videos below.
