Rattlers on the Rise: Broward County Native Powers Verizon’s Future Through Engineering
TALLAHASSEE, Fl. — For Jeremiah Gauthier, a senior computer engineering student from Broward County, Florida, spending his summer with Verizon means more than just gaining hands-on experience—it’s about helping power the very systems that keep the world connected.
Now in his second internship with the Fortune 100 company, Gauthier serves as a network performance intern with Verizon's Power, Space & Cooling Engineering & Construction Team. His role focuses on the hardware infrastructure that supports the company’s network systems.
"People see the virtual side of things—the apps, the calls, the service—but none of that would be possible without well-maintained hardware," Gauthier said. "Cooling is one of the most important aspects. If the equipment overheats, it shuts down. That can cause failures across the network."
Gauthier’s paid, 10-week internship is at Verizon's headquarters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. During the internship, he lived at Rutgers University through their summer housing program, which gave him easy access to the office and the city. From site visits in Manhattan to project management tasks and even hosting Q&A sessions with senior leadership, Gauthier is soaking in every opportunity.
“I’ve learned so much this summer,” he said. “Last year, I was focused more on the coding and data analytics side. This year, I’m out in the field, working hands-on with equipment, learning how everything functions, and getting direct exposure to upper-level management.”
Jeremiah strikes his Rattler pose in front of the Verizon sign, proudly representing
FAMU during his summer internship.
The summer has not been all work, either. Gauthier recently won raffle tickets to attend a FIFA World Cup game alongside Verizon's CEO, which he described as an unforgettable highlight of his experience.
His path toward engineering began early. A natural with numbers and technology, Gauthier’s passion for math and science dates back to childhood. By eighth grade, he was already enrolled in an engineering program and later joined the engineering track at Everglades High School. His love for video games and computers sparked his interest in computer engineering.
“I’ve always liked figuring out how things work,” he said. “Engineering felt like the perfect path for me.”
He previously interned at Northrop Grumman after his freshman year and returned to Verizon for a second time this summer. After graduation, he hopes to join the company full-time through its leadership development program.
From the Hill to Verizon—Jeremiah poses in front of the company’s sign as a proud
FAMU intern, proving you can go anywhere from FAMU.
A proud Rattler, Gauthier credits a trio of programs at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering with preparing him for these opportunities. He began with the Engineering Concepts Institute (ECI) the summer before his freshman year, joined the Engineering Living-Learning Community (LLC) during his first year, and has participated in the Educating Engineering Students Innovatively (EESI) program since his sophomore year.
“I wouldn’t have gotten these internships without the training and support I’ve received through those programs,” he said. “Charmane Caldwell, Ph.D., director of Student Access at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, has mentored me since the beginning. She's helped with everything—resumes, interviews, professional development, study tips—you name it."
As a first-generation engineer, Gauthier recognizes the importance of mentorship and representation.
“My mom is a teacher, and my dad’s an entrepreneur and Bethune-Cookman alum,” he said with a laugh. “It’s been funny being at FAMU, our rival school, but they’re proud of me. I’m trying to be the first engineer in the family.”
His advice to other students? Don’t be afraid to explore.
"Start looking for internships early—around September or October—and take a chance on something new," he said. "I switched companies after my first internship, and it worked out better than I imagined. Talk to people, ask questions, and don't be afraid to reach out. Networking matters."
As he heads into his senior year and looks ahead to post-grad life, Gauthier feels prepared to take on what’s next.
“I’ve developed technical skills, leadership skills, and confidence,” he said. “Wherever I go, I know I can make an impact.”
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
