An Inside Look: Interning at One of the World's Busiest Airports

Why Embry-Riddle?

Nunamaker chose Embry-Riddle because of its reputation in the aviation industry and its Aviation Business Administration program.

“I decided to attend Embry-Riddle because, after research, the school is not only highly respected in the aviation community, but also because the Aviation Business Administration degree would get me to the field of work that I wanted to be in,” he said. “I have been passionate about aviation for some time, and I wanted to attend a university that shared this passion.”

He added, “All of my instructors are passionate about aviation, and the coursework reflects this. My experience as a student at Embry-Riddle has been both rewarding and challenging. […] I love being a student here since the coursework is industry-relevant. and I have been able to apply my knowledge to aviation scenarios both individually and with teams.”

Inside the Internship at DFW

As an airline relations intern, Justin’s days and opportunities varied greatly. Some days were spent collaborating on how the airport could attract more airlines or conducting research. Other days were spent on the airfield, understanding how the third busiest airport in the world operates, and more specifically, how the cargo facilities function.

Justin’s summer project focused on helping DFW position itself as a leader in the perishable cargo market with a specific focus on roses. “Over 90% of fresh florals for the U.S. come from Colombia and Ecuador and get imported into MIA,” Justin explained. “Given DFW’s great location in the central U.S. and the risk of overdependence on a single import gateway, DFW is a great alternative.”

He credits several Embry-Riddle classes with preparing him to handle this project, including Aviation Logistics Management, Airline Management and Business Quantitative Methods. “These classes taught me not only about aviation and how the business actually works, but my quantitative methods course really gave me the knowledge on Excel to help me with the analytical side,” he said.

One internship highlight that solidified Justin's passion for aviation business administration was when he got to walk through a brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. “As I walked through the aircraft, I couldn’t help but smile since this was the exact type of work I wanted to be doing — interacting with aircraft and helping DFW grow not only in passengers, but in cargo as well.”

 As he looks toward graduation in December 2025, Justin is eager to bring his skills to the industry. “I am most excited about being able to connect people around the world more efficiently. I saw firsthand how crucial network planning is while I was stationed in Italy, as it was much more convenient and easier to fly home during the summer (high season). I am excited to have a hand in this and be able to provide passengers more options to destinations across the globe.”

Challenges and Growth

Justin’s journey from military to civilian workplace presented its own challenges. “Coming from the Army, the most challenging part for me was learning how a modern workplace functions,” he said. “DFW was extremely collaborative from the interns all the way up to the CEO. This sometimes can be in contrast to the top-down approach I was accustomed to.”

Being treated as a full member of the team from day one also pushed him outside his comfort zone. “While classes give the basics, the learning that I experienced throughout this internship was invaluable. I was pushed outside my comfort zone from day one as I was expected to interact during meetings, and everyone treated me like an actual member of the team even though I was just an intern.”

Over the summer, Justin developed new skills in trade flows and data analytics of air service development with tools such as Cirium Diio and Excel.

Embry-Riddle Connection

Justin said Embry-Riddle’s curriculum gave him a clear advantage.

He also credits his advisor with helping him succeed. “My first advisor, Jordan MacGinnis (Gines), really helped me along the way with picking out certain courses and figuring out which courses would be more beneficial for a particular semester. Jordan also wrote me an amazing letter of recommendation that I know helped me land the DFW internship.”

Career Impact and Future Goals

The internship confirmed Justin’s commitment to a career in aviation. “This internship really made me realize that not only did I make the right choice with my school and major, but that I love the aviation industry. It really drove home the point that this is what I want to continue doing,” he said.

Justin is particularly drawn to route and network planning, a field that blends his passion for aviation with his interest in geopolitics. “The thought of being able to provide passengers with unique destinations really excites me,” he said. Looking ahead five years, he hopes to be working as a senior analyst or manager in international network planning.

Personal Reflection

Nunamaker’s advice to fellow students is to “Be open to opportunities no matter where they may be located. Additionally, make sure to have an interest in what you apply for as well. Be sure to keep an eye on companies and organizations that you want to potentially intern with, since there is no set time that applications open.”

One of his biggest takeaways was realizing the importance of curiosity and not being afraid to ask questions. “Knowledge throughout my internship was gained by asking questions. My team members wanted to teach me when I asked, so this is something I will always take with me. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be curious!”

Closeout & Inspiration

Reflecting on the summer, Justin summarized, “I gained hands-on experience in airline relations at the world’s third busiest airport by developing a proposal for a new cargo route from South America, where I combined analytics, industry trends and strategic analysis.”