Airline Internships: Career Implications

The purpose of the study was to identify the impact an airline flight operations internship was perceived to have in the pursuit of career goals. The study investigated how former airline flight operations interns, from multiple airlines, perceived the value an internship experience had in the pursuit of their career goals. The study employed the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Qualitative data was organized according to key terms, key phrases, and prevailing themes. Descriptive statistical analysis, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were the methods employed to analyze quantitative data. Responses from 150 of 226 possible participants were received, resulting in a 66.4% response rate. Demographic data indicated that 96% of respondents were employed in the aviation industry. Of that total, 91% were employed as pilots. An airlines flight operations internship was perceived to have a positive impact in the pursuit of career goals. Ninety-seven percent of respondents would recommend participating in an airline flight operations internship to someone else.