Avionics News May 2015 - 40

7
1.

THINGS YOU
CAN DO TO
HELP RECRUIT
YOUNG TALENT

Create an internship. Whether paid or unpaid, an
internship is a great way to groom a potential new
employee. If you don't know where to start, contact
the guidance department at your local high school or
community college.
Open the doors to the clubhouse. The aviation community
can be a closed one to outsiders. Next time someone
expresses interest in your work, invite them to your shop
to see it. Answer their questions in plain language.
Stage your own career day. You don't have to wait for
a national group to do the work. Contact the other
businesses on your airport and plan an interesting event
highlighting the range of possibilities offered by the
aviation industry.
Host an Aviation Exploring post. Each post operates
independently within the guidelines of Learning for Life.
You can meet as often as you choose - or only monthly
during the school year. It will do your heart good to give a
hand to eager young people.
Donate to one of the scholarship programs. Whether it's
the AEA's Educational Foundation or another organization,
worthy candidates could use your help. Consider a named
scholarship - a scholarship in honor or in memory of
someone important to you and your company.
Say yes to that invitation. Many small businesses are asked
to take part in a school career day, either by speaking to
a class or staffing a booth. Rather than pleading, "I'm too
busy," say yes to the invitation and spread the word about
the career opportunities at the airport.
Take some kids to an airshow. When was the last time
you sat in the grass, ate hot dogs and marveled at the
airplanes? Make a day of it with some kids and their
parents. You'll no doubt have as much fun as the kids,
and you just may plant the seed for a future pilot or
technician. FreeFlight's Doug Campbell sees airshows as a
great career motivator. "I know the thunder of a military
jet engine is all the inspiration I need," he said. q

avionics news

may

2015

HELP WANTED

Continued from page 38

In preparation for her first airline trip,
Jessica took Addison flying for the first
time. Later, when they were on the airliner, Addison asked, "Can we go sit
up front?"
Jonathan Podzimek, 29, is an avionics technician at Spirit Aeronautics
in Ohio. He grew up with a fascination for aviation and had a job helping at his hometown airport, Wagner
Municipal in Wagner, South Dakota.
He later joined the Army and worked
on Blackhawk, Chinook, Apache and
Kiowa helicopters. Although he went
in the Army as an aircraft technician, he
cross-trained in avionics and maintenance. "I want to know everything I can
about the airplane," he said. He earned
his A&P before he left the Army.
A series of jobs led him to Spirit
Aeronautics a few months ago, where
he does avionics, aircraft maintenance
and sheet metal work. Having worked
in Dubai, he believes the ability to
travel the world is the best drawing
card to attract young people. "When
you get into the aviation world, you
can go anywhere - you can go to any
country, and there's going to be work,"
he said. His advice for industry newcomers is "don't settle for just one
thing. Further your education to move
up the ladder."
How do we get more young talent
like these individuals into our industry? Those of us who have made our
careers in the aviation industry owe it
to the next generation to share our expertise and provide opportunities. Industry groups may be leading the way,
but ultimately the success of their efforts depends on people like you who
operate at the local level and are in
the best position to attract and retain
young talent. q

Avionics News May 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News May 2015