As summer 2025 comes to an end, it’s time for us interns to say goodbye to JSSI.
This experience has been incredibly rewarding—from immersing ourselves in the aviation industry and learning from seasoned professionals to contributing to impactful projects and building lasting connections. As the 16th graduating class of JSSI’s incredible internship program, we are so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing company.
Our cohort of 13 interns joined a wide range of JSSI business units and departments this summer: from Parts & Leasing and Client Services, to IT, Aviation Capital, Conklin & de Decker, Marketing, Underwriting, and more. We are grateful for the opportunities, the mentorship, and the unforgettable moments shared throughout our time here.
Learning Opportunities
Throughout this experience, we were able to immerse ourselves in a corporate team environment and learn from experienced professionals. From learning to collaborate with our new colleagues and teams to embracing company culture, we took this opportunity to make the most of our time in Chicago and at JSSI’s headquarters in Chicago.
“JSSI’s had a huge impact on me this summer because they put a big emphasis on people and caring about people and just doing what’s right in the business ethics portion of the business – and I think that’ll stick with me for the rest of my career,” reflects Trey Woolley, Underwriting intern.
Our cohort was able to experience JSSI’s core values – Freedom, Accountability, Collaboration, Transparency (FACT) – firsthand this summer and we are grateful for the opportunities presented to us by our department leads as we learned about the industry and spearheaded projects over the last few months.
“The corporate environment at JSSI is extremely intentional. One of the things I love most is the open-door policy that a lot of the C-Suite executives had with us, and the fact that we were able to stand in and talk at any time,” said Kenya Handfield, Client Services intern.
Outside the Office
Although we spent a lot of time working hard for our teams, there were many opportunities to expand our knowledge outside the office. We had an incredible time at industry events, community involvement, and exploring Chicago. Visit the links below to learn more about our other experiences!
“JSSI provided us with so many opportunities to learn not only inside the office, but outside of the office with events like going to the air show, going to the warehouse for a week, and many other events,” said Drew Schneider, Aviation Capital intern.
One notable opportunity from the summer was our volunteer project.
Each year, the JSSI summer intern cohort dedicates time to volunteering with an organization that is meaningful to them. This year, we were proud to volunteer at the annual CHAMPS Born 2 Win Conference. This conference featured a mock trial in which passionate youth developed practical courtroom skills, gained exposure to legal careers that they might never have considered (such as law and policy), and sharpened their communication skills.
Our team played a hands-on role in ensuring operations ran smoothly throughout the event. We checked students in, guided students throughout the day, and assisted in judging the mock trial. To conclude the day, we watched the intelligent youth skillfully participate in the mock trial.
This organization’s purpose is to encourage, educate, and empower young men while fostering unity across diverse communities. We were honored to immerse ourselves in an environment that cultivates love and encourages educational growth.
Jermar Johnson, an IT intern, shared his personal connection to the organization. “Volunteering at the CHAMPS Born 2 Win conference meant the world to me. Outside of work, CHAMPS is an organization that I dedicate much of my spare time to. I am a product of the youth programming and mentorship that CHAMPS offers, and it was an amazing opportunity to be able to give back to an organization that has done so much for my community. I am truly grateful to work at a company that has such a strong emphasis on philanthropy and community building.”
One Word Reflection
How would each of the interns describe the JSSI Internship Experience?
- Trey Woolley – Involved
- Colby Flint – Educational
- Courtney Cairo – Rewarding
- Davis Flint – Meaningful
- Loa Johannsson – Eye Opening
- Drew Schneider – Dynamic
- Eden Melamed – Inspiring
- Jermar Johnson – Exposure
- Thein Ho – Elevate
- Margarita Cruz – Enriching
- Kenya Handfield – Introductory
- Kira Rudersdorf – Affirming
- Declan Daleiden – Innovation
The JSSI Impact
After two and a half months of hard work, we concluded our experience by presenting what we had worked to the entirety of the company. During our presentations, we shared what we learned, the projects we collaborated on, tools we utilized, and developmental experiences that impacted us. Courney Cairo, Client Services intern, reflects, “This summer at JSSI I had an eye-opening experience. It was more than just learning about the business, it was about building relationships and gaining a deep appreciation for the aviation industry.”
Overall, the JSSI internship program is really one of a kind, and an incredible opportunity to grow our careers. We are so thankful for the unique and intentional experience that JSSI has provided us with this summer. Thank you to everyone at JSSI who made this journey so meaningful.
Written by: Eden Melamed, JSSI Marketing Intern
