Meet Isabel W., a 2024 and 2025 summer intern at the site who is now a full-time Procurement representative.
For new hire Isabel W., being hired on at Y-12 in August meant more than just a paycheck. It also meant finally reaching the goal of working at the same place as her dad.
Jeremy W. has worked at Y-12 for 17 years and is a maintenance supervisor for Enriched Uranium Operations.
“He has worked here my whole life and has worked his way up from an electrician to now being a supervisor,” Isabel said. “I have always liked the idea of working at the same place as him even if we don’t work together directly.”
Isabel was so committed to joining the Y-12 family that she participated in the internship program two summers in a row with the hopes of securing a full-time job. This July, she accomplished her goal when she was chosen to join the Procurement team as a subcontract administrator.
“I interned in the Procurement group both years, so it was nice coming back to the same familiar and supportive group,” Isabel said. “There was a need in the organization that fit my skill set and interests. I am excited I was able to fill this position.”
Isabel is thankful for the preparation she gained during her internship and is ready to use what she has learned to contribute to the mission as a full-time employee.
“My time as an intern made me comfortable asking questions,” Isabel said. “I am not embarrassed to acknowledge my shortcomings and learn through having a questioning attitude. I am excited to make it through all of my training and become a good buyer for the site. Luckily, I started one step closer than most due to the internship program.”
Josh M. of Supply Chain Management could not agree more. He supervised Isabel during her internship and now gets to see her thrive as a full-time employee.
“The internship program allowed the opportunity for Isabel to learn the culture, systems, and processes that she would be interacting with on a daily basis,” Josh said. “The uniqueness of Y-12 operations can often be challenging for new employees; through participation in this program, Isabel was able to convert to a full-time role with a reduced learning curve ahead of her. Upon becoming full-time, Isabel was able to administer her first purchase order within 6 weeks of employment — an activity that would take, on average, 3 months for someone new to this role to accomplish.”
Jeremy W. couldn’t be prouder to get to work at the same place as his daughter and see her excel in her role.
“Isabel’s hard work and determination have brought her to this exciting point in her career,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to see her grow and step into this new role, and I’m proud to have helped inspire her path toward working at Y-12.”
Isabel is looking forward to her future at Y-12 while feeling grateful to contribute to such an important mission.
“I feel like I am contributing,” Isabel said. “Once I got here, I realized the significant part of history that I now get to be a part of.”
From contributing as an intern to now a full-time employee, Isabel continues to show why the internship program was created to invite a new era of Y-12ers to the site for the future success of the mission. This year alone, 29 interns were hired to become a part of history and support work across the site, and Isabel is excited to be one of them.
Isabel and Jeremy W. at the 2025 Intern Expo, where Isabel presented on her project that focused on vendor rating assessments.