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SAA gives 'credit'
to Wildcats
Salina, Kan., (February 25, 2010) - The Salina Airport Authority and
K-State at Salina have teamed up once again to give students at the top
five aviation school a leg up in the aviation market.
The
Airport Authority has been taking on K-State students as interns for
more than a decade, but the Spring 2010 semester marks the first time
students have been able to obtain curriculum credit for their work.
In the past, students learned of the internship
opportunity through word of mouth and were accepted on a first come
first serve basis. Through
formalizing the program, students are now able to gain access to
information regarding the internship opportunity through the airport or
K-State.
Students
going through the formal process are now required to submit a cover
letter, résumé, letter of recommendation and an internship
application. Applicants also
must pass a five-year KBI background investigation. Students must be upper classmen
majoring in technology management, professional pilot, aviation
maintenance, or engineering technology.
"The
students can learn everything in the books, but until they are able to
add those real life experiences there is a gap in their
knowledge," said Lucy M. Kollhoff of Career and Enrollment
Services at K-State at Salina.
"Students get to experience a business culture and really
learn the social aspect of the work world. It helps them put into context why
they took courses like public speaking and business. It's like the glue."
The
new process brought with it a very qualified applicant pool, so breaking
with tradition the Airport Authority has taken on two interns this
semester.
Sean
McIntire and Kelley Coons are joining the Airport's staff for the
duration of the semester. Both
are upper classmen in the technology management program.
"Early
on we work with the students in developing key objectives and expose
them to all categories of airport management," said Manager of
Administration and Finance Shelli Swanson. "If they have a greater interest
in one aspect of airport management whether it be finance, marketing,
operations or facilities we will tailor their internship to meet that
interest."
This
semester McIntire and Coons will be working on key airport projects
which include marketing research to aid in bringing in new businesses
and preservation of materials for the future museum.
"The
students get to find out if that's what they really want to do,"
said Kollhoff. "They get to
test drive the employer and the employer gets to test drive the
students. There are a lot of
win-win possibilities."
Airport
Authority internships have traditionally been highly sought after by
the student body. To find out
more about the airport's internship program or to apply contact the
Career and Employment Services office at K-State at Salina or visit the
Airport Authority's Web site.
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