Waiakea High students’ careers on course after internship

Waiakea High School seniors Erina Debrum and Mara Nansen recently had an experience that gave them a head start on becoming flight attendants.

In collaboration with Waiakea High School, United Airlines and the Hawaii Island Workforce &Economic Development Ohana Huiana Internship Program, the students spent quality time with staff from United Airlines and the state Department of Transportation Airport Division.

“United Airlines Inflight Services in Honolulu was pleased to host Erina and Mara and their teacher/chaperone Jaimelynn Gusman,” said Sally Lloyd, United inflight services supervisor in Honolulu. “Their day in the life of a flight attendant included sitting in briefings with our crew members flying to Narita, Japan, and Guam.

“They also got to walk onboard two different configurations of the 777 aircraft. … They were able to ask direct questions of the flight attendants about their chosen careers. It was an exciting and productive experience.”

“We were very fortunate to have been given the chance to work behind the scenes within the travel industry,” said Nansen.

“I learned many things about good communication skills and how to respect the customer,” Debrum said.

“United Airlines gave Erina and Mara a priceless experience that will advance their goal of becoming flight attendants,” said Jay Ihara, project manager at HIWEDO, which coordinated 56 student internships in the 2014-15 school year. “The tour of the operations at Honolulu Airport gave the students a broader view of the airline industry.”

High school graduation is up next for Debrum and Nansen, then pursuing the goal of becoming flight attendants.

For more information about the Huiana Internship Program, call HIWEDO at 959-6200.