Buckle Up, Intern. We’re Going Places.
At the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, we’re not just moving travelers—we’re launching careers for the next generation of professionals. The SAN Internship Program is dedicated to building careers and shaping futures by offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, grow professionally, and see how their work can make a meaningful impact right here in San Diego.
Whether you’re exploring a future in aviation, technology, people operations, infrastructure, or beyond—this is where careers take off.
Summer Internship Program
Our summer internship program is designed to give undergraduate students at every stage of their academic journey a well-rounded introduction to the aviation industry. This isn’t just a summer job — it’s your gateway to meaningful work, hands-on learning, and real connections in a professional, inclusive, and fun environment.
Program Overview:
- 9 weeks (June–August)
- Paid internship, up to 40 hours per week
- Location: On-site at San Diego International Airport
- Recruitment Timeline: February – March
How You’ll Spend Your Time:
- 50% working in your assigned department
- 25% participating in our “Airport Classroom” sessions
- 25% contributing to a collaborative capstone intern project with a designated Airport Authority project sponsor
Program Highlights:
- Behind-the-scenes tours of terminals, airside, airport operations and key facilities
- Group intern project presentations to peers and staff
- “Lunch with the CEO” and Q&A sessions with senior leadership
- Professional development workshops on resumes, careers in Airport industry, and more
- Opportunities to connect with mentors, departments, and former interns now working full-time at SAN through panels and networking events
This program is designed to support professional growth, deepen your understanding of airport careers, and help you build lasting connections.
Year-Round Internship Opportunities
Outside of summer, departments across the Airport Authority may host interns based on specific project needs and staffing capacity. These opportunities offer a more focused, flexible experience and are available only to students currently enrolled in a graduate-level program.
Program Overview:
- Recruitment is ongoing, based on availability
- Paid internship with flexible scheduling
- 100% of your time is spent within your assigned department
- Opportunities for mentorship and skill development
- Ideal for students seeking experience during the academic year
Eligibility
- Summer Program: Open to current undergraduate students and spring graduates (must be enrolled in 12+ units during the summer)
- Year-Round Program: Open to students currently enrolled in a graduate program
- Field of study must align with the internship opportunity
Internship Areas May Include:
- Executive– Human Resources, General Counsel, Chief Auditor
- Revenue Management & Innovation – Communications, Customer Experience, Landside Business Development, Terminal Business Development
- Development – Office of the Authority Clerk, Airport Design & Construction, Airport Planning, Noise Mitigation, Environmental Affairs, Government Relations
- Finance – Capital Finance Planning, Airline Relations, Information & Technology Services, Business Intelligence, Procurement, Accounting, Risk Management
- Operations – Landside Operations, Facilities Management, Airside & Terminal Operations, Aviation Security & Public Safety, Operational Planning & Readiness
Why Intern at SAN?
- Work That Matters: Be part of the team that connects San Diego to the world
- A Place to Grow: From mentorship to group projects, we’re invested in building careers and shaping futures
- A Culture of Belonging: Interns are welcomed as team members from day one
- Community Impact: Join a public agency committed to service, sustainability, and San Diego
Ready to apply?
We post summer internship opportunities every spring and accept year-round applications based on business needs. To learn more, check out our FAQs.