Never would I have imagined that a LinkedIn application I stumbled across last fall would lead to one of the most unforgettable summers of my life. When I was searching for internships, I was looking for more than a place to build my resume. I wanted to be part of a group where values mattered, people felt empowered and the work felt connected to a larger purpose. I found all three of those at Alaska Airlines.

This summer, I joined a collective of 50 interns, made up of two cohorts, accepted into a paid internship at Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air. Over the course of 12 weeks, our group worked alongside aviation professionals throughout Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Anchorage and Honolulu, and stepped into a range of roles, spanning Airport Operations and Maintenance, Network Planning, Revenue Management, Marketing and more. We immersed ourselves in the airline’s growing business, contributed to projects that pushed us outside of our comfort zones (in all the best ways) and supported its complex, fast-moving operation.

This National Intern Day, join me in celebrating and reflecting on an amazing summer of growth, opportunity and impact at Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon.

“Words can’t describe how grateful I am for this internship. From watching our inaugural London flight take off and flying a flight simulator to loading baggage onto an aircraft, every experience has been an opportunity to learn and grow. On top of that, I’ve been able to connect with employees across all sectors, receive incredible mentorship and leave feeling wholeheartedly fulfilled.”

One experience I won’t forget was traveling to Seattle to spend time with Alaska’s Brand Ambassador Program. From participating in photoshoots to learning how creative partners are helping bring Alaska’s brand to life, my time spent with them gave me a deeper appreciation for the storytelling and authenticity behind the company’s marketing and communications efforts.

“I have loved seeing just how many people and departments come together to make every flight possible,” said Ryan. “From training and scheduling to dispatch, maintenance and leadership, strong communication and teamwork are essential across the airline. It’s given me a much deeper appreciation for everything happening behind the scenes and reinforced my excitement for pursuing a career with Alaska.”

One of Ryan’s favorite experiences was getting a behind-the-scenes look at Horizon’s flight training operation and spending time in the E175 simulators. Seeing firsthand how pilots are trained and how much preparation goes into every flight gave him a better understanding of the professionalism and precision required in aviation.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my internship has been the opportunity to contribute my own ideas and see them come to life,” said Calista. “Helping shape our Travel Pono campaign allowed me to take what makes Hawaiʻi so special to me and translate those values into an authentic message for our guests as they journey to our island home. Being trusted to share a perspective rooted in my own experiences has made the work especially meaningful.”

Calista’s most memorable experiences came while traveling to Japan twice to support Hawaiian at Aloha Tokyo and the May Day Mākeke (Market). Supporting event logistics and representing the brand on the ground gave her a firsthand look at how Hawaiian shares the culture and spirit of Hawaiʻi with audiences around the world.

Reaching new heights, literally

One of the program’s most unique perks is unlimited standby travel. Whether exploring a new city or experiencing a different culture, interns gain perspectives that extend far beyond the workplace and reflect Alaska’s commitment to curiosity, connection and service. From Sydney to Rome to Tokyo, interns took their summers global.