Expert: David A. NewMyer - 10/5/2005

Question
Dear Mr. Newmeyer,
My name is Michael Duivis and I am currently in my fourth and final year of the Bachelor study Aviation Technologies. I am a U.S. citizen but I am currently living and going to school in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

In the early months of 2006 I am required to perform a graduation internship and my desire is to do this in my home country, preferrably in California. The reason for this is because I want to move back to the States once I have graduated my study here in the Netherlands.

I understand this might be a complex situation, a U.S. citizen doing a study in Amsterdam wanting to settle back in the States, but I would greatly appreciate any help.

My most desirable internship (which must be finished by May 2006) would be in the engineering area though I would not mind doing something in Aviation Management either. I have already contacted several companies and airlines but without succes. Do you know of any programs for students like me which I can apply to? If not, how would you rate my chances of finding an internship by myself?

Thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards, Michael Duivis

Answer
Hi, Michael:

I guess the big question is whether or not you will hold any sort of aircraft engineering or airframe and power plant mechanics certificate?  If so, from whom, JAA or FAA or what?

The certificate (s) you may hold may affect who you can work for and what work they will let you perform.

One thing that I can tell you is that there are a great many jobs out there in the airframe and power plant mechanic or aviation mechanic job category in the USA, including a fair number in California.  The question is:  Will those same companies that need mechanics also consider hiring you as an intern? I do not know that answer, but, all you can do is ask.

There are a fair number of jobs listed at these websites, some of which are in California:

www.boeing.com  (check for Long Beach, CA)...also check for internships.

www.jetblue.com  (check for CA jobs, mostly also in Long Beach, but, there might be some in northern CA)  They do also advertise internships from time to time.

www.aviationemployment.com

www.avjobs.com

www.aeps.com

In most cases, students here at the university where I work are generally able to find the internship that they need working on their own with a bit of guidance from me or one of my colleagues.  Also, if you get to the right person in a company and ask them about an internship and are able to give them a description of what is needed and that you will be getting credit for learning, the company representatives become more receptive.....

If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to send me another question via Allexperts.com

Thanks,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/