Position Overview
The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation offers a paid College Internship Program for students who want practical experience at Philadelphia International Airport. Interns can be assigned to different Department of Aviation work areas and gain exposure to the teams and business functions that keep a major airport operating.
The program is designed to give college students real-world employment experience while helping them develop professional skills before entering the full-time workforce. Assignments take place at various Department of Aviation premises and may use hybrid and/or in-person work schedules depending on the unit and project.
The internship is listed as full-time and can continue for no longer than one year over a two-year period. College interns are paid from $17 to $18.32 per hour, with the rate contingent on the number of college credits earned.
NB: Internship assignments can differ by Department of Aviation unit. Students should review the current PHL Job Portal instructions and any assignment-specific requirements before applying.
Minimum Requirements
Students interested in the College Internship Program should be prepared to:
- Be a college-level student seeking practical workplace experience
- Participate in a full-time internship assignment
- Work at Department of Aviation premises in Philadelphia
- Follow the hybrid and/or in-person schedule assigned to the placement
- Work professionally with Department of Aviation staff and project teams
- Communicate clearly and follow workplace procedures
- Manage assigned tasks, deadlines and professional-development activities
- Show interest in aviation, public service, City government or a related professional field
Useful skills for an airport internship include:
- Written and verbal communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Organization and time management
- Basic computer and office-software skills
- Research and information gathering
- Problem solving
- Professional conduct
- Ability to learn new systems and procedures
Tip: Tailor your resume to the type of airport work that interests you. Relevant coursework, class projects, campus leadership, customer service, technical work and volunteer experience can all help demonstrate workplace readiness.
Key Responsibilities
The Department of Aviation states that internship units create real-life work objectives for students. That means responsibilities depend on the assigned department rather than every intern receiving the same generic task list.
Depending on the placement, interns may be expected to:
- Support day-to-day work within an assigned Department of Aviation unit
- Assist with department projects and defined internship objectives
- Collect, organize or review information needed by the team
- Prepare routine documents, reports, presentations or project materials
- Participate in meetings and learn how airport teams coordinate their work
- Communicate with supervisors, employees and other project stakeholders
- Complete assigned tasks within agreed timelines
- Participate in professional-development and career-preparation activities
- Learn how aviation operations connect with City government functions
- Apply college knowledge and transferable skills in a professional workplace
Because Philadelphia International Airport includes many different professional functions, an internship can provide exposure to areas beyond airline operations. Airport organizations also rely on planning, administration, engineering, finance, technology, commercial services, facilities, customer experience and other support functions.
Tip: If your academic background is related to business, engineering, technology, communications, planning, finance or another professional field, show how your coursework and projects could transfer to an airport environment.
What You Will Gain
The College Internship Program is designed to provide:
- Paid professional experience at Philadelphia International Airport
- Real-world work experience for up to one year
- Exposure to the aviation industry
- Experience contributing to City government
- Opportunities to develop professional connections
- Improvement of transferable workplace skills
- Experience working with supervisors and professional teams
- Practical examples and accomplishments that can strengthen a resume
- Better understanding of possible careers in aviation and public service
The Department of Aviation specifically identifies professional connections, transferable skills, aviation exposure, City-government experience and resume development as key benefits of the program.
For students who have not yet chosen a long-term career path, working inside an airport environment can also help clarify which business or technical functions are most interesting before graduation.
Application Process
How to Apply
Use the official PHL Job Portal College Internship Program page to review the current program information and follow the available application instructions. Internship availability can depend on Department of Aviation staffing needs and participating units.
- Prepare an updated resume
- Review your college coursework and credit level
- Identify the professional or aviation areas that best match your background
- Highlight academic projects, campus activities, work experience and relevant technical skills
- Check the PHL Job Portal for current internship instructions or openings
- Follow the application process shown for the available opportunity
Tip: Make your resume specific. Instead of only listing courses, include projects, software, presentations, research or measurable work that shows what you can contribute to an internship team.
FAQ
Who offers the Philadelphia Airport College Internship Program?
The employer is the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation.
Where do interns work?
Internship assignments take place at various locations on Department of Aviation premises connected to Philadelphia International Airport.
Is the internship paid?
Yes. The official PHL Job Portal lists college intern pay from $17 to $18.32 per hour, depending on the number of college credits earned.
How long can the internship last?
The program is full-time and can last no longer than one year over a two-year period.
Is the internship remote?
The program lists hybrid and/or in-person work schedules, so the exact arrangement depends on the assignment.
What experience will interns gain?
Interns receive real-world work experience, professional connections, transferable skill development, exposure to aviation and experience contributing to City government.