Internship
 

I am currently a junior at UND, working on my multi. My question is how important is it to get an internship with someone. Will it help me greatly? I know in a long run it is better to have experience, such as internship, but is it worth taking a whole semester off? My biggest problem with taking a semester off is that I will have to stay longer in North Dakota, and I don’t really want to do that.

Any input will help greatly

Thanks

Edik

Dude, internships are HUGE in this industry. The time you will put in during an internship will probably cut your minimums at most regionals... and therefore put you far ahead of someone with equal qualifications.

Do it... dont even hesitate.

You're not going to get hired on at a major airline right out of college, so reduced minimums at that level won't do you any good when you're looking for your first pilot job.
As a UND student, you'll already have significantly reduced minimums with the regionals, even without doing an internship.
As somebody who didn't intern with an airline and recently got hired as a low-time jet jockey, my advice is to skip the internship and spend that time instructing - unless, of course, it's a really sweet (i.e., paid) internship.

do it
 

I had a chance to do the Alaska internship, with a guarenteed interview when i wanted it, but i turned it down. As a SIC with a regional jet carrier, I am KICKING myself for not having that in my pocket.

I did a different internship, and especially out of a pilot factory like UND, having an internship on your resume shows HUGE that you are well rounded and did things outside of getting your ratings while at school.

If you're looking for a good internship at UND, go talk to Mike Pellot about the Weather Modification internship. It will require two classes (one in the fall, one in the spring) but I did it, and I have been asked at EVERY interview I have gone to about my cloud seeding exeriences. (Plus you don't have to take time away from school to do it. its during the summer!) If you want more on that internship, PM me, I did cloud seeding for 3 years. I got on with the Weather Mod Inc after I did the internship and graduated.

Internships are great. Not only because you can meet a lot of great people in the industry, but they are loads of fun. You're going to hear some people say, don't bother and get hours instead, but this industry is all about timing and who you know. There have been people with 2500 hours get a job before the next guy with 10,000 hours? How? A good internal recommendation. They look great on a resume. If you were on an interview panel for XJET, for example, looking at resumes, wouldn't the one that said, "XJET Intern" on it stick out at you? It shows that you were interested in the company and still are. Here's another example. CAL's online application system gives you an option to select a dropdown menu that includes "Intern" on it. Hmmm... wonder why? If I had the chance to do an internship for 3-4 months instead of busting my ass 12 hours a day as a CFII at $15 an hour, I'd probably do the internship. Especially when I'm getting college credit for it for very little $$$. You'll probably save more $$$ doing the internship than you'd make as a CFII in 3 months.

Might as well do it. I went to UND and I still wish I had done an internship. So what if you are there an extra semester. I used to feel the same way you did, I wanted out ASAP. But when you think about it, what difference does 3 months make in the grand scheme of things? At most regionals, if you interened with them, you are pretty much guranteed an interview and usually the job unless you are a complete dofus. On the other hand, I didnt do an internship and when I started applying I had interview offers coming in left and right. Depends on the market you are in. If you are applying at a time when the airlines are hurting for pilots, then the internship wont make much difference. But if you are applying when the airlines are up to their eyeballs in qualified applicants and arent doing that much hiring, having the internship card in your back pocket can be a big help. What might be more useful to you than the internship is a crystal ball that predicts the future, then youll REALLY have an advantage;)

I did a regional internship two years ago, and it didn't do me a damn bit of good getting hired even though I got excellent evaluations & the company has continued to hire. I was a victim of circumstance, timing, and personal changes, but my work as an intern (and I busted my ass) hasn't provided me any advantages compared to any other street hire.

Later, did a long-term paid internship at a large international company, and had the best year of my life. I also got some wonderful work experiences & skills outside of flying airplanes. I made decent money, got to flight instruct on the side for extra cash & flight time, and networked like CRAZY. I hope to be back there as soon as possible.

My personal opinion having been there - If you get the opportunity for a paid internship or an internship at a good hiring large company (SWA, Alaska, Continental, UPS, FedEx, Wal-Mart, IBM, Coca-Cola, Cessna, Raytheon, United Technologies, etc), then take it...otherwise, stay out of debt & stay away from an upaid regional internship, and fly your tail off with that time.

A few years ago internships for AA/CAL/UAL meant that you would get hired at reduced mins for their respective regional carriers, so best of both worlds.

Since you are a UND guy, try one of the airlines that your school has matriculation agreements with. (Piedmont, Horizon...etc.) Even check out other places. Whereever you really want to work initially, go there...or at least try to...

Lax

Do they still have the internship agreement with Raytheon? Last I heard it was the best internship going. (well paid, B1900 type, flying the B1900 corporate shuttle, demonstrating and delivering airplanes, etc)