Network Engineering Intern (Student Wage)
University of Virginia
Summary
Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a motivated Network Engineering Intern to join our team and gain hands-on, real-world experience supporting the university's enterprise network infrastructure. This internship is designed to give students broad exposure to the network engineering discipline through three core focus areas:
Job description
- Wireless Network Deployment — Deployment and configuration of new wireless access points (APs) across campus facilities.
- Network Management Systems & DevOps — Supporting network operations through monitoring tools, automation, and systems that keep the network healthy and observable.
- Network Infrastructure Engineering — Working with the core switching, routing, and physical/logical infrastructure that underpins campus connectivity.
Interns will be engaged in each of these areas over the course of the internship, and have exposure to the full lifecycle of enterprise network engineering — from physical deployment to systems automation to core infrastructure design.
Focus Area 1: Wireless Network Deployment
- Assist in the physical installation and configuration of wireless access points across campus buildings
- Support site surveys to determine optimal AP placement for coverage and capacity
- Help troubleshoot wireless connectivity issues reported by end users
- Document AP inventory, placement, and configuration changes
- Assist with testing and validation of new AP deployments prior to production rollout
Focus Area 2: Network Management Systems & DevOps
- Support the use and configuration of network monitoring and management platforms
- Assist with developing or maintaining automation scripts/tools to streamline network operations tasks
- Help build dashboards and alerts to improve network visibility and incident response
- Participate in troubleshooting using network management tools to identify performance issues or outages
- Contribute to documentation of operational runbooks and standard procedures
Focus Area 3: Network Infrastructure Engineering
- Assist with configuration and maintenance of switches, routers, and other core infrastructure devices
- Support network design and capacity planning activities for campus infrastructure projects
- Help maintain accurate network diagrams and infrastructure documentation
- Participate in infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, and change management activities
- Learn and apply network engineering best practices under the guidance of senior engineers
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program
- Basic understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, OSI model)
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Willingness to learn and work across multiple technical disciplines
- Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Ability to manage time effectively across numerous assignments and academic responsibilities
- Coursework or hands-on experience with networking (e.g., Cisco, Aruba, or similar platforms)
- Exposure to scripting or automation (Python, Bash, Ansible, etc.)
- Familiarity with network monitoring tools
- Interest in pursuing industry certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNA)
- Prior IT helpdesk, lab, or hands-on technical experience
Benefits
- Hands-on experience
- Mentorship
- Enterprise-scale exposure
- Potential future employment
Company overview
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a prestigious public research university founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. As a leading academic institution, UVA operates a comprehensive health system and medical center that serves as a major healthcare provider for central Virginia. The university's academic medical center includes the UVA Health System, which encompasses a 700-bed hospital, outpatient clinics, and specialized care facilities. UVA is renowned for its medical research programs, particularly in areas such as cancer research, neuroscience, cardiovascular medicine, and infectious diseases. The School of Medicine consistently ranks among the top medical schools in the United States and conducts groundbreaking biomedical research through its various institutes and centers. UVA's research enterprise spans basic science, translational research, and clinical trials, with significant contributions to medical advancements and healthcare innovation. The university's academic programs in health sciences include medicine, nursing, and public health, training the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing medical knowledge through cutting-edge research initiatives.