14 INTERNSHIP AREAS Internships are primarily granted in three general fields of study and select other areas. Nuclear Energy: advanced nuclear fuels, nuclear reactor systems, modeling and simulation, safety and risk assessment, materials and fuels management, advanced test reactor experiments and space power systems. Energy and Environment: hybrid energy systems integration concepts, electric vehicle system diagnostics and testing, and biomass research. National and Homeland Security: safeguarding fissile materials from proliferation, addressing secure communications channels for first responders, and strengthening reliance of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Interns are also offered opportunities in business support and operations, marketing, communications and logistics. In 2017, student interns had more opportunities than ever to participate in career-oriented activities, most notably the Strengths Finder and Crucial Conversations series. Also notable was a Pros and Cons of STEM Grad School panel session where INL employees in various degree fields and career levels shared their personal experiences about graduate school options. In addition to gaining career perspectives, the summer intern program offered opportunities to form new friendships and embark on adventures. Many interns participated in group excursions where they took full advantage of the hiking, fishing, mountain biking and other outdoor activities in the region. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM (CO-OP) INL hosted four Cooperative Education Program (co-op) students in 2017 in the fields of electrical and computer engineering. A co-op is a type of internship that allows students to apply the knowledge they obtain through their university studies with practical hands-on experience alongside nationally recognized INL scientists and engineers.The structure and duration of a co-op with INL is driven by