There is no requirement to do an internship to get on with an airline. I am guessing those programs you stated are there for those students that choose to pursue that field. Remember flying is NOT the only career in aviation. I suspect if you want to get into airline management for example a station manager or reservation manager or Cargo operations manager, you would need to do those internships. But if your goal is to be a pilot then you do not not need them. I agree with everyone else to get a degree in something other than aviation. However I dont agree that an aviation degree is worthless. Like I said above if you want to be a station manager or airport dierector than an aviation management degree is very important