College students from New Jersey were able to learn about the airline industry as part of the United Airlines Summer Associates program at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The students from Newark, Elizabeth and East Orange were introduced to the different sides of the industry. They say that it could potentially lead to careers they might otherwise not have been exposed to.

“It gives an opportunity to see different departments,” says William Paterson University student Lincoln Dunn. “So if you are a finance major in college, you might not want to work on the airline per se, but you can work within the finance department; help United with financial planning, financial analysis.”

Students were also given a tour of an aircraft, were able to check out the tarmac, and learned about safety and security.

Many of the students who took part in the program say that it was a great way to develop their professional skills, and become more comfortable with flying.

“It gives young adults a chance to see the world in a different capacity,” Dunn says. “Meet new cultures and just see how airline business runs on a daily basis.”

This is the 11th year that the summer associated program has been in Newark. United Airlines says that the program has been so successful in New Jersey that they have expanded it to other airports around the country.