Intern of the Week: Mustafa Akpinar

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:51:48 -0400
career, internoftheweek, internship, umbccareers, umbcintern

Name: Mustafa Akpinar

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2025

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): AstraZeneca

Location of the Organization (City, State): Gaithersburg, Maryland

Title of position: Cyber Threat Intelligence Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

This summer, I am interning at AstraZeneca as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Intern, where I support the global security team in identifying and analyzing cyber threats. My day-to-day responsibilities include creating reports on Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), third-party assessments (3PA), and vulnerabilities. I use tools like Confluence and Jira to document findings, track progress, and contribute to team workflows. In addition to technical work, I regularly respond to emails, attend team meetings, and participate in collaborative discussions with security professionals. Beyond the technical experience, AstraZeneca offers engaging intern events such as rooftop socials, site visits, and even a team outing to a baseball game, which have helped me build connections across the company!

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I discovered the internship on LinkedIn and applied cold in November 2024. The process moved slowly, and although I initially received a rejection, I was later thrilled to learn the position had reopened—and I was offered the role in March 2025! The interview process consisted of one Zoom meeting with my department manager, where she asked questions about my resume and my experience with tools listed in the job description. I officially began the internship at the end of May and will continue through the end of August. It’s been an exciting journey, especially with the unexpected turn of events that led to this incredible opportunity!

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I’ve enjoyed most about my internship at AstraZeneca is the balance between technical growth and community engagement. Not only have I been able to develop my skills in cyber threat intelligence and work on real-world reports that contribute to the organization’s security posture, but I’ve also been part of an incredibly welcoming and supportive team. The intern programming—from rooftop socials to site visits—made the experience even more memorable and helped me feel like a true part of the company.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

Through my reports on APTs, third-party risks, and vulnerabilities, I’ve helped inform decision-makers and enhance AstraZeneca’s ability to stay ahead of potential threats. By organizing detailed and timely information, I’ve contributed to risk awareness and mitigation efforts across the security team. My work has supported real action—and knowing that my efforts help protect a global healthcare organization makes the experience incredibly meaningful.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Don’t be afraid to cold apply and keep putting yourself out there, even if you face rejection. Rejections are not the end—they’re often redirections. Make sure your resume is clear and tailored to the role, and be ready to speak confidently about your experiences and the tools you know. Also, don’t underestimate the value of persistence. My internship offer came after I had already been rejected, which proves you never know when the door might open again.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

“What I liked most about my position was being trusted to work on real cybersecurity challenges that matter. The Career Center’s resume guidance and internship tips helped me feel prepared when opportunities finally came my way.”