July 25, 2024 – In today’s Window Seat blog, we are launching a new behind-the-scenes series showcasing the incredible people, places, programs and amenities that set our airport apart and enhance the travel experience for customers.
In coming months, we will share more insights and first-hand experiences that highlight the dedication of our employees and the exceptional services and amenities we offer.
First up – It’s summer and that means the interns have landed at the Airport.
This summer, 11 undergraduate and graduate students from colleges near and far have joined the Aviation Department, operator of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, for 12 weeks of on-the-job experiences unlike any other workplace.
Internships are a crucial step in building a successful career and providing practical experience and exposure to the professional world. Interning at an airport, a bustling hub of activity with a wide range of operations, is a unique opportunity that offers a blend of hands-on experience, skill development and professional networking. It prepares interns for the complexities of the working world while providing a comprehensive understanding of airport operations and the essential relationships with local, state and federal business partners.
Internships can also lead to full-time employment and long careers. (Just ask our CEO Haley Gentry!) We talked to five other Aviation Department employees whose careers at CLT began when they became interns:
- Jordan Duke, Human Resources specialist Sr., Organizational & Talent Development
- Jennifer Long, concessions and terminal logistics program manager
- Sophie Runyon, Safety Management Systems operations coordinator
- Cameron Simpson, Co-Op junior procurement agent
- Elizabeth Erhartic, civil rights specialist lead and ADA coordinator
Q: Why did you want to transition from an Aviation Department intern to full-time employee in the department?
Sophie Runyon, intern Airside Operations 2022; hired 2022.
A: “In my last six months of college before I graduated, I was looking for a full-time job and was able to secure an internship in Airside Operations for the summer. After my time in airside, working along the airside training department, I discovered I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and the importance behind the position. I decided that CLT would be a great place to start and grow my career.”
Q: What did you take away from your internship that has helped guide you in your Aviation job in the beginning or now?
Jordan Duke, intern 2018; hired 2019.
A: “The biggest thing that I learned from my internship is to take advantage of every opportunity. I tell current interns that you should treat the summer as a three-month interview. You never know what the opportunity could lead to. Network as much as possible.”
Q: Why did you want to transition from an intern to full-time employee?
Jennifer Long, public affairs intern 2001; hired 2001.
A: “I’m from Charlotte and grew up near the Airport. I started working at the Airport in 1995 as a teenager at The Body Shop. I worked there part-time through high school and part-time in college. The Airport seemed like a natural fit for an internship. I enjoyed my internship so much, plus it was during the events of 9/11. I was asked if I had interest with staying on full-time, and I was like ‘absolutely!’ and 23 years later I’m still here.”
Q: How has your internship benefitted you during your time on the job?
Cameron Simpson, Organizational & Talent Development intern 2022; hired 2023.
A: “My internship experience has benefitted me with growth. I’m not the same person I was two years ago nor am I the same person I was a year ago. A lot of this stems from work. Work is a different scenery than college; it’s truly an introduction to the real world and life down the line. It starts small and almost goes unnoticed. But you slowly see the changes in your verbiage, thought process, and your everyday routine.”
Q: Why did you want to transition from an Aviation Department intern to full-time employee in the department?
Elizabeth Erhartic, Human Resources intern 2016; hired 2018.
A: “Discovering the internship opportunities at CLT was a happy accident. I had wanted to work in the hospitality industry somehow, as a travel-lover, but I didn’t realize there were careers at the Airport aside from the jobs you see in the terminal. Once I stepped into the CLT Center offices, I knew this was the industry for me. The sounds of the aircraft excited me. Going to the terminal and getting to experience second-hand travel excitement was energizing. I remember my first meeting with airline representatives and how excited and nervous I was for it … I was passionate about the industry, felt good about what I could contribute, and felt that I could have a supported career here. I couldn’t have orchestrated my career path better. Throughout undergrad, I struggled to put my finger on what I really wanted to do. Coming here, everything made sense, including why the technical writing internship in Washington, D.C., I had declined about a month earlier with no backup plan seemed like the right thing to do.
Lastly, we saved the best – and most crucial – question for last: What advice they would you give someone considering an internship and potential career opportunities at the Airport?
Erhartic: “I always like to tell the interns I meet that I started as an intern too, and there are great opportunities if they can show up and prove themselves. For anyone looking for a career more dynamic than your typical 9-5, they’ll find it here.”
Runyon: “My advice for someone considering an internship with the Aviation Department is if you are looking for a full-time position after, make sure you are connecting with the correct people, and make sure to show up daily and do more of what is asked of you. Ambition, involvement and initiative are things that will make you stand out to the right people.”
Simpson: “Take it seriously. It might sound cliché, but it’s not; you never know what an opportunity can turn into. A prime example is our Director Haley Gentry. She started as an intern and now she’s the director of one of the busiest airports in the world. This shows how a little opportunity can change your life and start a fruitful career. She’s also a huge advocate for the internship program and growing young people's careers. It’s encouraging to see as a young professional that the head honcho is rooting for you, sharing words of wisdom and encouragement to keep you pushing yourself and better yourself.”
Long: “My advice would be to go for it. The Airport is literally like a city within itself. There are career options for so many different aspects and paths.”
Duke: “Outside of taking advantage of the opportunity, I would say find something you are passionate about. If you are passionate about the work, you will never work a day in your life!”
Learn more about the Aviation Department Internship Program on the Careers webpage. Summer internships are advertised in February each year on the City of Charlotte jobs page.
