Internships
 

I'm fishing around for internships this summer. My career services advisor is suggesting that we take the available positions one at a time. Would you guys recommend this? Or, would it be better to send in apps to a few?

Send in as many apps as you can, interview everywhere you can... and if offers start coming in, choose one.

If you have ANY opportunity to intern at a major, DO SO!

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT intern at a regional unless that is your only option. You can EASILY get a regional job without an internship or any other connection.

I knew two guys at mesa who had gone to the same school for aviation...both started with me as new hires. One had interned at ACA (IIRC), the other at CAL.

Guess who left mesa after 18 months with 1001 turbine SIC, and is flying international on the 75? :cool:

Four years later, guess who is getting ready to upgrade and sit reserve in IAD...for mesa? :eek:

Yes, I second doing one with a major. It's pretty much a shoe-in later on unless you're a royal jerk-off and make a bad reputation for yourself in the 3 1/2 months you're there. (advise: don't do that).

Yeah, I agree with all that. The only thing I fear is that I'll get multiple offers and the ones I turn down will potentially hurt me in future for a job.

I suggest targeting the majors/cargo and going from there... see what you get and if nothing, target the regionals. I did an internship with a major cargo outfit and ended up having the internship lengthened twice.... spent a year working there and had the time of my life. Hope to be flying for them in a few years. You wont regret being selective if you can land one at a good company.

Getting turned down is part of the game, and employers know that. Apply to them all, and see what you get. If you have to turn someone down, tell them that it's not right for you or something, they get that all the time, and you won't be blackballed.

We get a bunch of interns every year at Alaska. I find it amazing that we don't pay them. My 16 year old nephew "interned" at Palm (handhelds) while still in high school. He got $16/hr. Not bad for a high school kid.

Maybe a increase in pilot pay will be forthcoming when they start paying interns.

Just keep in mind, the first offer you get will probably be the one you accept. The offers will not come in concurrently and unless you are willing to risk not getting an internship so you can get the one you really want, apply only to internships you would be happy taking.

Checko