KAI began offering internships to students in 1990. The time of year and duration of the internship varies, although most occur during the summer for a period of three months. Our internship program has grown from 1-3 students on an annual basis to 8-10 students in more recent years.
The internship program is clearly an asset to KAI; it introduces us to potential full-time candidates as well as new schools and professors with whom we can work in the future. Our internship program also provides opportunities for KAI staff to mentor and develop students.
Learning to integrate into a fast-paced work environment and interacting with professionals often fosters interns' self-confidence and enhances their performance not only in school, but in future work environments. This level of confidence is one of many skills interns build that are transferable to any line of work or activity. Such skills include critical thinking, time management, and effective communication.
Internships bridge the gap between the academic and professional environments. Young professionals who serve as interns are better able to relate theory learned in the classroom with practical work experience. Most importantly, internships help expose students to the exciting world of transportation and provide them with experiences they might not otherwise be exposed to.