Chemicals and camaraderie: An SRMC summer intern’s experience
- Colleen Hart
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
AIKEN, S.C. (July 14, 2025) — In 2022, Dani Brinkley, then a high school senior, was awarded a scholarship from Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) – not knowing it would be her first impression of a company she would later work for as a summer intern.
Brinkley was born and raised in Aiken, S.C., and is currently going into her senior year at the University of South Carolina where she studies Biochemistry.
This summer, she is working as chemical inventory intern for the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at SRMC, the liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS).
Working with the DWPF chemical coordinator, Brinkley assists in maintaining records of non-radioactive but hazardous material, as well as chemical labeling, organizing, and tracking.
This role provides valuable hands-on experience and guidance from professionals in the field, according to Brinkley.
“Working as a chemical inventory intern at SRMC has allowed me to get a deeper understanding of how important this role is to a company,” Brinkley said. “Being able to responsibly handle, label, and organize chemicals is vital to the safety of individuals and their work environment. The skills I have learned are preparing me for future career opportunities in the sciences.”
For Brinkley, her summer internship at SRMC was foreshadowed by being awarded an SRMC Family Scholarship, which is earned by students who are children of SRMC employees. The winners are selected based on an essay submission, grade point average, and leadership and scholarship achievement.
It was at the Family Scholarship award ceremony that Brinkley said she was exposed to the company and its mission.
“My mom has worked at the Savannah River Site since I was 14 years old, but at the scholarship awards ceremony I got to really learn about SRMC and what it does,” she said. “I was able to connect with senior leadership who encouraged me to pursue my future endeavors and even offered networking opportunities.”
It was this initial impression that stuck with Brinkley over the next couple of years, up to when the time came for her to apply for summer internships.
She said it’s that same eagerness to help her that has been one of her favorite parts about her time as a summer intern.
“I am so privileged to be in such a supportive work environment,” she said. “People on my team are willing to bend over backwards to make sure I have the best experience and learn the most during my time at SRMC.”
SRMC comprises parent company BWX Technologies, Inc. with partners Amentum and Fluor. Its team brings the capabilities necessary to accelerate cleanup at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site through safe nuclear operations, optimized and integrated mission execution, and strong corporate governance.
Media Contact:
Colleen Hart
(803) 208-2428