Human Resources Intern Powers Search for Pratt & Whitney's Next Generation of Talent

Andrew Leverton has been a Human Resources intern at Pratt & Whitney for just two months, and he's been living the dream since day one.

"I wake up every morning in Hamden, Connecticut, get ready, drive to work and think about how lucky I feel," he said. "This internship is bigger than anything I'd ever imagined myself doing at 23."

Supporting employees in Pratt & Whitney's Military Engines organization, Leverton also never dreamed he would play such a major role in recruiting Pratt & Whitney's next generation of employees. Just six weeks into his internship, he received a phone call from a coworker asking him if he'd like to interview candidates for two Military Engines positions at a company Super Day hiring event. The events bring in 50 to 80 recruits to East Hartford to participate in an exciting schedule of events to familiarize candidates with the company, its products, services and culture.

Leverton admitted to his coworker that he was inexperienced, but took the opportunity anyway. By doing so, he realized just how much he could gain from stepping outside his comfort zone, and that experience was much less intimidating than he had thought.

"When opportunities come your way, take them – even if you don't know what it's going to entail or if you're going to be good at it," Leverton said. "You'll realize you're capable and will grow professionally."

Although this is Leverton's first internship, he's immersed himself in almost every other opportunity imaginable. The Long Island native graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the State University of New York - Cortland. This fall, he will pursue his master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of New Haven.

Leverton aims to earn his master's degree in one year as he juggles studying, teaching as a graduate assistant and playing volleyball at the University of New Haven.

In the meantime, Leverton skis, DJs, plays three instruments, guitar, bass and banjo, and produces a podcast called "Divergent Thinking."

"It's honestly a problem," he said. "I have so many interests; I have to keep my mind going."

Leverton's passion for his job stems from working on creative projects and being part of Pratt & Whitney's supportive company culture. Each day he leaves the office with sense of satisfaction from knowing he's contributed, in his own way, to the success of Pratt & Whitney engines.

"At the end of the day, we all make engines – that's how Pratt & Whitney views it," he said. "We're all contributing to power the product that protects us."