Disclaimer: No planes were harmed during this job shadowing experience. I did not crash any planes or even attempt to something I shouldn’t have. I was an angel.
From my job research, I learned that there are lots of jobs within the aviation field that I find interesting, like air traffic control and commercial aviation. I also learned that it can be really stressful, so I am trying to remain optimistic with my future career choice. The APA job research really helped me with being confident in my college major choice, and it helped me find a bunch of back-up plans if I fail at becoming a pilot.
I was pumped for the job shadow because I love aviation, and I was really curious to see how Overland Aviation worked tandem to the airport. After learning about the different jobs that people can have at an airport, I was excited to see the jobs in action. I was excited to just be at the airport, and to experience the numerous airport jobs, like fueling planes or towing them into hangars, from the other side of the fence. I was also excited to see the behind the scenes work because all of those people are legends and I like officey sit down work and the logistics behind those jobs.
I had an amazing time at the airport for job shadowing!!! My contact for the business Tanner was out of town so I was hanging out with April for a good portion of the day. I started at the Overland Aviation building, which is a tiny modular because they are waiting for their actual building to be finished, and talked to April about her job as she showed me her routine. She showed me how they track flights going to the airport, and it was wacky because they use the same flight-tracking website that I use on my phone. After I bonded with April for an hour, their mechanic-in-training Ty took me out to the ramp where the planes unload and fuel up. They made me wear a bright yellow vest like a real airport worker and I felt so important. I got to talk to a Fedex pilot and Then we used the big boy airport tug car (it’s tiny) and we pushed the airplanes into the hangar. The planes are BIG (obviously) and I felt so cool sitting in a tiny car and pushing a really really big plane. Ty then showed me all of the small planes in the hangar and the engines he was working on. Everything he told me was really informative, and although I am not interested whatsoever in mechanical things, he kept me interested for the hour he had me and I gained much more respect for mechanics. He is a legend. After that I talked to Diane in the office (she took over April’s shift) and she was also a legend. She used to own a small airport and she kept telling me about the plane crashes she witnessed, so I learned a lot about management but also safety. It was pretty intense with Diane.
Then I drove over to the airport ops building? I don’t remember what it was called BUT I got to see the equiptment they use at the airport. The airport firefighters who are all ABSOLUTE LEGENDS showed me and the other senior (we met up for this part) the bright green firetrucks and it was my favorite part. They drove us down the runway in the trucks and we watched a Delta flight take off from the taxiway (which was SICK) and they demonstrated the water turrets they have on the truck. It was sick. One of the firefighters actually went to UND for Commercial Aviation, like I plan to do, so it was comforting knowing that there are employed people in Williston who made good use of their majors. They also hypothetically let me drive the firetruck but I’m not sure how legal that is so I’m not going to elaborate on that further than IT WAS SO COOL!!!!! Then, the legend airport ops man Rahul gave me a full tour of the airport terminal, and I got to see the front where you check in for a flight, and then he took me back to the gates and he introduced me to Tons of people and I fully utilized my handshake training. I even saw the basement and all of the random pipes and storage down there. And then we drove back to the airport ops building (we drove down the runway, it was sick) and saw the snow plows and other operation stuff and then I left. As said by the boy in The Incredibles,
It was really exciting that I got to take a full tour of the terminal and go onto the ramp to watch everyone do their jobs and work with airplanes. I thought I would be sitting inside all day, but I did so much stuff around the airport it completely caught me off guard, and I was go glad I brought my tennis shoes. Overall, it was a great day, and the experience has made me 1000% more confident in going to school for Commercial Aviation. I am much less nervous after seeing all of the different ways that someone can work in the aviation industry. 10/10, would job shadow again.
Katie Ranting about English 