The University of Notre Dame proudly welcomed its first Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge intern, Devin McFarland, marking an exciting milestone in a new partnership designed to support service members transitioning to civilian life. McFarland, a US Army Officer with more than 20 years of leadership and operational experience, joined the Facilities Design and Operations Division as a facilities operations consultant/analyst under the mentorship of Chip Farrell, director of maintenance.
During his 90-day immersive training last fall, McFarland participated in a hands-on learning model focused on developing a deep understanding of university facilities operations while applying his extensive project management, systems engineering, and leadership expertise to real-world initiatives.
From his first interaction with Notre Dame, Devin felt an immediate sense of connection with the University’s mission and values. “From my first contact with the University of Notre Dame, the institution demonstrated a thoughtful, well-structured approach to supporting service members during this transition,” he shared. “I immediately felt aligned with an organization whose values of service, excellence, and community closely mirror those of the military.”
McFarland brought to the program a rare blend of strategic insight and tactical execution. His ability to adapt quickly, communicate effectively, and build rapport across departments made a significant impact. Though initially uncertain how his military experience would translate to a university setting, that question was answered almost immediately. “From day one, the maintenance department welcomed me as a teammate,” he noted, “creating an environment where military experience translated into real, measurable operational impact.”
This DoD-funded program allows transitioning service members to gain tailored, civilian workforce training at no cost to the University, while also enabling departments to proactively shape talent pipelines. While participation in SkillBridge does not guarantee employment at Notre Dame, it creates meaningful opportunities when institutional needs and timing align. In McFarland’s case, the experience exceeded expectations and ultimately led to continued service at the University. “My experience with the University’s SkillBridge program reinforced my confidence that the skills developed through military service can translate into lasting value within a mission-driven organization like Notre Dame,” he shared.
McFarland’s success as Notre Dame’s first SkillBridge intern sets a strong foundation for future partnerships between the University and our nation’s military leaders as they explore the next chapter of their careers. Reflecting on the experience, his supervisor Chip Farrell shared, “We could not be happier with our experience working with Devin. His US Army background in data analytics was the perfect fit for our team, as we were looking to restructure our work order metrics data collection and analysis. He hit the ground running and exceeded all expectations, building data analysis platforms that we will continue to use to strengthen and improve our maintenance operations.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on January 28, 2026.