July 30, 2015
Marion Delano, 22, interned with NBAA in the summer of 2014, working in the Association’s operations division. When he graduated from Saint Louis University in 2015 with a degree in aviation management, he leveraged his NBAA internship and college coursework toward a job with London-based PrivateFly, where he works as a U.S. flight advisor, helping customers find aircraft and airports, and setting up catering and car services.
Previously working in business aviation with Signature Flight Support, Delano said he ‘jumped at” the chance to intern at NBAA. He credits the Association with ‘so many opportunities to meet people and make connections.”
For example, Delano was able to attend NBAA’s 2014 annual convention in Orlando, where he met his boss at PrivateFly, who after the convention contacted NBAA, putting the two back in touch.
Delano said his favorite part of the internship at NBAA was the everyday interactions he had with the staff.
‘Everyone was outgoing and supportive and the environment was so positive that it just made working there a blast,” he said.
While at NBAA, Delano’s work included getting in contact with aircraft OEM manufacturers to get data on performance, and researching airports in a number of states to ensure they were properly classified in the database.
His advice to interns: “Enjoy the experience and get to know as many people as you can, you never know who will be able to help you get a job.”
Delano advises students considering a career in business aviation to ‘get your foot in the door somewhere.
“That first job is critical in establishing yourself and getting your name out there,” he added.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.