The following blog is by Community Programs and Engagement Intern Olivia Denzy.
My name is Olivia Denzy, I am the Community Programs and Engagement Intern in the Communication and Outreach department! I have the pleasure of working on our volunteerism efforts and am currently working on our 2017 Spring Companywide Volunteer Initiative. My favorite job is getting to go to the airport and help send off the Make-A-Wish families to their wish destinations! I was so fortunate to have been a part of the Southwest Family since the age of five, since my mom has been a Southwest Flight Attendant for 17 years and grew up passing out peanuts and pretzels on these airplanes! Southwest has always been more than an outstanding reputable company to me: Southwest is a career, Southwest is a community, Southwest is home and Southwest is family that truly has “No Limits!”
I was offered my intern position with Southwest not too long before graduation and I was so proud to tell everyone my post-grad plans of moving to Dallas to work for one of the best companies in the world! What better way to let the world know than walking across that stage to pick up my diploma with a Southwest airplane sticking out of the clouds with the message, “No Limits” on my graduation cap?!?
Buckeyes are tree nuts that represent good luck, pride, confidence and THE Ohio State University. One of the most popular game-day traditions is to string these nuts alongside scarlet and grey beads and wear them to the games or any other Ohio State functions. I like to believe I have more pride in my school than anyone else and continue to wear them to work with the same pride I would if I were back in Columbus, Ohio. I wear my badge on them as a tribute to my alma mater and to represent THE Ohio State University at all times! O-H I-O!
A giant map of Ohio (where I’m from) that also holds four cups of coffee at once.
Having a plant on your desk can reduce stress, increase productivity, make a room feel more comfortable, and it just makes me smile when I look at it. I have a slight problem keeping plants alive so mine just happens to be fake; however, I believe I am still receiving the same benefits.
One of my best friends hung this on his wall through college as a reminder to always keep your eye on the prize and let go of all the little things. He passed it on to me in hopes I can use this methodology while I work towards my dream job, just as he did.
All girls love to be surrounded by flowers, what more can I say?
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03-02-2017
08:28 AM
2 Loves
My name is Emily Steinway, and I am currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Leisure, Sport & Tourism Studies. I was recently discharged from the U.S. Navy after four years of service. While in the military, I was an Interior Communications Electrician stationed onboard the USS Frank Cable that was home ported in Guam.
I am originally from Elgin, Ill., but after the service I chose to attend school here in Tennessee. While in the military, I was able to travel to different countries in Asia and the Middle East. I enjoyed traveling, experiencing other cultures, and meeting people. My Grandpa, Dad, and brother were all in the military, and they truly inspired me to serve my country. It was such a rewarding—yet challenging—experience. Being on the opposite side of the world from my family was hard, and I was only able to see them about two times a year.
After the military, I started going to school and was once again away from my loved ones. It was hard to imagine being away from home again during the holidays. Little did I know, Southwest’s Campus Reach Team had reached out to a few universities across the country, and utilized their close partnerships to collect nominations for students who deserved a trip home for the holidays. I had no idea that one of my Career Services’ advisors submitted my name, and my story! Southwest Airlines and the Campus Reach Team surprised me with a round-trip ticket, and the chance to see my family meant so much to me—I greatly appreciated the opportunity to spend the holiday with my family. Thank you, Southwest, for this amazing experience.
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08-09-2016
07:41 AM
4 Loves
The following story is written by Campus Reach Intern, Lauren Gross. Lauren was the Community Programs & Engagement Intern this past summer in Culture & Communications. Read here about how our Interns truly demonstrated their Servant’s Hearts by volunteering at the Trinity River Corridor.
I entered my Southwest Airlines Summer Internship with a list of skills I expected to learn and improve upon. I never thought that list would end up including manual labor. On Wednesday, July 20, the Summer 2016 Intern Class had the opportunity to trade spreadsheets for shovels and Outlook for outreach.
A “Servant’s Heart” is a key value instilled in each Southwest Employee, and Interns are no exception. We did cardio for the Servant’s Heart by volunteering at the Trinity River Corridor. The Trinity River Corridor Project’s goal is to beautify and maintain Dallas’ Trinity River. The area we worked on was off Great Trinity Forest Way in Sleepy Hollow. When the cleanup is completed, this region is projected to be a small park with a relaxing river view.
A few other Interns and I were asked to work on clearing a future picnic area. The day involved lessons in using garden sheers and many lost battles with stubborn weeds (some were taller than I am). The other Interns spent the day picking up trash along the river and highway. The 100-degree heat made the project a true Texas experience!
The Servant’s Heart Project is just a glimpse into Southwest’s unique Campus Reach Internship Program. Similar to most organizations, the program’s goal is to develop and strengthen young minds. However, Southwest’s approach sets itself apart.
As summer comes to a close, Interns everywhere are checking off boxes on the list of skills they expected to learn. After three months at Southwest, I am checking off boxes I never knew existed. Through events like the Servant’s Heart Project, Southwest Airlines develops more than resumes. Southwest’s values and Culture nurture the mind, spirit, and heart of each Employee it touches. I am walking away from this summer with a strengthened sense of self, and that goes much further than any bullet point on my resume.
Note: I’m also physically stronger because some of those weeds were really stubborn.
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10-23-2015
03:59 PM
4 Loves
Here at Southwest Airlines we LUV to celebrate the great things that make us…well, us! In celebration of this week's National Nut Day on Oct. 22, we polled our Fall 2015 Intern class and here is what we found about why our Interns are “nuts” about Southwest Airlines:
I’m NUTS! about the Company Spirit radiating from every Employee about Southwest!- Samantha Anzaldi, Corporate Tax Intern from the University of Akron
I’m NUTS! About being a Southwest Intern because I am working with a team of like-minded mentors who are working in pursuit of their passion. -Meghan Kahlig, Community Programs and Engagement Intern from The University of Texas at Austin
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because last weekend I packed for San Diego and ended up visiting Las Vegas on a whim instead! -Michaela McInerney, Employment Intern from Iowa State University
I’m NUTS! about Boeing 737 fleet and LUV listening to the engine roar every single day!-Neve Leem, AD Compliance Intern from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because I have been able to see parts of the United States that I have never been to before.-Devin Schoepke, Aircraft Records Intern from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Daytona Beach
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because my Team always has each other’s backs – no matter how big or small the task may be.-Zainab Lodi, Leadership & Employee Training Intern from UT Dallas
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because I get work on meaningful projects and have been treated no differently than a full-time employee!-Jackson Zurca, Flight Operations EFB Intern from Auburn University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because I never know what new and exciting experiences each day will bring me!-Jaime Laughlin, Aircraft Dispatch Intern from Kent State University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest intern because of all the opportunities that allow me apply my skills and classroom knowledge on business issues currently facing my Department.-Whitney Way, Cargo and Charters Marketing Intern from Texas A&M University- Commerce
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because of the countless opportunities to give back to our community and fulfill my passion to serve!-Alex Isgrigg, Emergency Response Intern from Purdue University
I’m NUTS! About being a Southwest Intern because of the incredible opportunity to constantly be surrounded by the best of the best!-Melissa Doyle, Supply Chain Intern from Arizona State University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because of the travel opportunities for me to visit friends & family all over the U.S.!- Jones Yen, Supply Chain Intern from University of Texas at Austin
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because of all the knowledge I’m able to harvest from people I call family!-Alicia Jackson, Revenue Management Intern from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because it’s midterms back at school and I’m FREE to move about the country!-Ben Rowland, Planning Intern from Purdue University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because of the relationships I have made with others and the mentoring I have received from Leaders.-Jess Loy, Organizational and Talent Development Intern from Purdue University
I’m NUTS! about being a Southwest Intern because of the great opportunities to grow professionally.-Katherine Andux, Tech Ops Intern from Georgia Institute of Technology.
I am NUTS about being surrounded with such genuine people who love their job, and are willing work as a team to serve Southwest Airlines! -Linda Murihia, Material Stores Intern, University of North Texas
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“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
I love this quote. I’ve been an Intern in Southwest’s Campus Reach program, and am now lucky enough to have a full-time position as a Coordinator within the People Department (Southwest’s HR Department). I’ve been at Southwest a year now, counting my time as an Intern. My job still doesn’t feel like work, and my Coworkers feel like Family.
It’s safe to say my internship experience at Southwest was not to be beat. So much so, that after the 12 weeks of summer flew by, I had an unrelenting determination to come back. Southwest had me hooked since day one of my internship, and has ever since. Why is it that I was, oh-so-determined to stick around? My internship at Southwest was a nearly perfect embodiment of the above quote.
After multiple interviews, I finally landed a coveted position as an Employment Intern in the People Department last summer. It didn’t take me long to recognize the “Work Hard, Play Hard” mentality Southwest Employees personify. Not only did all my Coworkers and Fellow Interns have this unbeatable drive to succeed in their role, but you could tell they truly enjoyed being here.
It was incredible how much trust my team had in me, even as an Intern. I was given opportunities to work on high-level projects with Senior Leaders. Southwest Interns have an unparalleled experience of working directly on real-world, meaningful projects throughout their internship. So, just a word of caution: If you want an internship centered on fetching coffee, filing endless stacks of paper, or starring mercilessly at the clock, Southwest isn’t best fit for you. All joking aside, I do believe there is a reason we now host nearly 400 Interns every year, and that reason is simple: Southwest has created an environment that draws you in completely from the moment you walk in the door.
So while I love the Confucius quote, I’d take it a step further: I not only love my current job, but one better—I truly love my Company.
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