Emily Le

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to pursue your major at WVU?

With my father running his own company, I’ve always been surrounded by business, and I loved helping him with technology and accounting tasks. That early exposure sparked my curiosity about how technology and business work together to make smarter decisions. When I came to WVU, I was torn between studying Management or MIS, but I eventually fell in love with MIS because it’s a field that never stops evolving. The constant change means I’ll always be learning something new, which keeps me motivated and challenged.

In what part of Air Combat Command did you work, and what can you tell us about the projects you were involved with?

This summer, I interned with Air Combat Command through the VICEROY Envoy Program, where I worked in the SEF office supporting aviation safety initiatives. My primary project focused on creating a Power BI dashboard that automatically refreshes daily and visualizes open aviation mishap recommendations. The data included thousands of records on aircraft types, risk hazard indexes, and classifications of aviation accidents. My goal was to transform raw data into a clean, interactive dashboard that was easier to interpret and use for leadership decisions.

Since I had never used Power BI before, I had to learn the platform from scratch — figuring out data connections, formatting visuals, and troubleshooting refresh issues. By the end of my internship, I was able to deliver a functional, automated dashboard that helped the team better track safety metrics and progress on closing open recommendations.

How did working on national security related projects on a military base shape your experience?

Working on a military base was an entirely new experience for me. Every day reinforced how much responsibility comes with handling sensitive data. The environment demanded precision, accountability, and a clear understanding of the rules around security and clearance. I learned quickly that even small technical decisions could carry real-world consequences when dealing with mission-critical information.

At the same time, the culture was nothing like what I expected. The Langley-Eustis base had an upbeat, supportive atmosphere where people genuinely enjoyed working together. Whether someone was a DoD civilian or a service member, everyone shared a strong sense of purpose. It was inspiring to see how deeply each person cared about the mission and how data plays a role in protecting lives and improving systems.

What was the most impactful thing you learned or the biggest takeaway you’re carrying forward from this experience?

The most impactful part of my internship was the people. I always felt like I belonged in that office. The SEF team created an environment where learning and collaboration came naturally. I had great conversations every day with coworkers where they shared stories about their careers, experiences, and what working in the military meant to them.

Those interactions reminded me that technology is only one part of any mission — it’s the people behind it who make the real difference. I left with a deeper appreciation for teamwork, communication, and respect. The experience clarified my interest in pursuing a career that combines technology consulting with a focus on cyber resilience, helping organizations build stronger and safer systems.

How did your WVU coursework prepare you for this internship?

My coursework at WVU gave me both the technical foundation and the confidence I needed. Classes in Database Management Systems and Data Visualization helped me approach my project strategically, and my SQL knowledge was directly applicable when building and filtering datasets for my dashboard.

Beyond the classroom, my involvement in Delta Sigma Pi and the Management Information Systems Association helped me grow more comfortable communicating with leadership and collaborating in professional environments. Those experiences made it easier to ask questions, present ideas, and connect with people across all levels of the organization at Air Combat Command.

What surprised you the most about working in this role?

I expected the environment on base to be strict and formal, but it turned out to be welcoming, energetic, and full of camaraderie. Every day was enjoyable because of the people I worked with. The comradery, teamwork, and shared motivation made the experience incredibly rewarding. And, of course, getting to see F-22s flying overhead daily — and sometimes up close — was surreal. It was a constant reminder of the real impact our work had on aviation safety.

How did this internship change or shape your perspective on the broader field of cyber, AI, and other technologies?

This internship showed me how essential data analytics and cybersecurity are to national defense. Every process, from flight safety to decision-making, depends on reliable, secure data systems. Seeing that in action made me realize that cyber resilience isn’t just a technical goal — it’s a strategic necessity.