Giving university students an inside look at working at Delta Air Lines, advancement possibilities, and an understanding of the inner workings of complex business has long been one of the ways Delta Air Lines is ploughing back to the society through its corporate service responsibility. During the internship, students gain experience and build lifelong skills even as they spend their time with the airline working on exciting projects that help connect with the Delta Air Lines customers across the globe.
This year, fortune smiles at Tolulope Afolayan Deborah, a business management and administration student at Bowen University, as she got the chance to participate in an internship programme with Delta Air Lines Nigeria. During the programmer, students get hands-on experience and expertise in the aviation business, including airline operations, maintenance, customer service, and corporate duties. The programme enables learners to get the chance to meet and collaborate with seasoned aviation experts, which will help them create crucial relationships for their future jobs.
In this interview, Tolulope Afolayan Deborah speaks on her experiences and observations during her internship with the American carrier. Excerpts…
What made you to be interested in this internship opportunity?
I hoped to gain from the internship valuable work experience, a path towards future career in a reputable organization, new skills and connections, as well as industry experience and confidence
What have you learned during your time at Delta Air Lines Nigeria?
Delta Air Lines Nigeria is purpose driven and customer centric. They connect people to opportunities while expanding the understanding of our planet and the people within it.
How have you applied the skills and knowledge you have gained?
Having studied Business Management and took courses in Human resources, marketing and organization behavior, those courses helped in my customer service duties in the ticketing and reservations department and also helped greatly in my time spent with the sales department.
Your challenges during your internship and how have you overcome them?
I am an introvert and do not generally like speaking and this was a challenge as I newly started my internship because I had to communicate with passengers, but as I continued my internship, the customer service department helped in building my confidence and I have improved greatly.
How have you collaborated with your colleagues to achieve team goals?
As a fast leaner, I was able to contribute my quota towards achieving team goals by making bookings, issuance of ticket, re-issuance of ticket, responding to mails, compilation of the eligible passengers for the elite service and compilation of the weekly service charge. The most rewarding part of my internship at Delta Air Lines came through the work experience I gathered.
Contribution of the internship to your personal and professional growth?
I have grown in my personal and professional confidence level; I am also certain I will be capable of working in any organization I find myself. I would advice future interns to give their best during their internship period as whatever experience gathered is a personal addition to your growth and future
What you learned about the Delta Air Lines culture and values?
The company’s culture and values are honesty, integrity, respect, perseverance and servant leadership- everyday and in everything they do.
