Summer Internship Recap: My Experience as a Tech Analyst Intern at Southwest Airlines

Introduction

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Southwest Airlines as a Tech Analyst Intern. With a background in Computer Science, I was eager to apply my classroom knowledge to real-world projects. From day one, I was welcomed into a dynamic and supportive company culture that genuinely lives up to its reputation.

First Impressions and Onboarding

Before starting, I was both excited and nervous. Due to the confidentiality of the work I would be handling, I did not receive any specifics about my upcoming tasks but was advised to familiarize myself with SAFe. The onboarding process was seamless and engaging, setting a positive tone for the rest of the internship (Thank you to Bethani Culpepper and Payton Julian ). A memorable moment from my first day was attending a large PI Planning event. Watching over 400 people collaborate so proactively during this weeklong event set the tone for the type of work I'd be doing, and I was thrilled to be part of it.

Key Projects and Responsibilities

Throughout my internship, I contributed to several high-impact projects, applying data analysis, backlog refinement, and optimizing processes to improve outcomes. Although confidentiality prevents me from sharing specific details, my role involved presenting strategic insights to senior management and adapting to rapidly changing project demands. One key lesson was the importance of agility; we constantly adjusted to new challenges, from shifting MVPs to evolving design requirements. Overcoming these obstacles and witnessing the successful delivery of our projects was incredibly rewarding.

Learning and Development

This internship was a profound learning experience. I honed my data analysis and project management skills and participated in several SWAG (Scientific Wild A** Guess) sessions and trainings. My manager, Christi Thompson, along with my outstanding cohorts Barbara Peninger and Matthew Rich, always took the time to provide resources—videos, books, and web materials—to help me build a strong foundation. I was fortunate to earn a SAFe certification in Product Ownership and Product Management, further solidifying my knowledge and skills.

Company Culture and Networking

Southwest Airlines is known for its unique culture, and I was fortunate to experience it firsthand. Intern events like the Rangers game and the "Amazing Race" (though I must admit, I wasn't a fan—too much walking and running! Shoutout to Latifat Sulaimon and Faris Khattak for carrying the team) were fantastic opportunities to bond with other interns and understand the company's values. Bailey P. , " The Network Queen," was one of my mentors who encouraged me to network as much as possible, not just with Analyst, Engineers or Managers, but to take the initiative to set up coffee chats with Directors and VPs. Thanks to her preparation, I had a unforgettable interaction with Jeff Jones, VP of Customer Commercial. During our coffee chat, he shared insights about building trust within a team and leading with influence. Southwest consistently demonstrated why culture truly matters.

Personal Highlights and Memorable Moments

Taking on the role of a Scrum Master allowed me to see a different side of the the software development lifecycle (SDLC). While my role wasn't in development, I facilitated the process and removed roadblocks. Watching the project evolve from start to finish through the hard work of our developers was fulfilling. I'm grateful to my new friends for trusting me and believing I always had their best interests at heart while aligning with the project's goals. Although I had some crazy ideas, they always trusted me. For legal reasons, I can't showcase the "beautiful art piece" we created, but let's just say they were crazy enough to let me make an ad for our project!

Special Thanks

Our success during our SWIPE project this summer wasn't due to me being the best Scrum Master SWIPE has ever seen (THIS IS A JOKE). There were many moments when I felt unprepared and incapable of meeting my team's expectations. However, thanks to my fantastic support system, these individuals were key to my success: Theron Robinson , Bailey P. , Barbara Peninger , Matthew Rich Christi Thompson , and Preethi Kaur K (Baskar) always provided guidance and words of encouragement , and words can't describe how thankful I am.

Thank you directly to my team ( Tyler Haisman Joshua Johnson Faris Khattak Nathan Chugito Aneesh Saxena Gavin Ostheimer Fisal Ikhmayes Dalton Porterfield Joshua Tran ) for always going above and beyond and working weekends to ensure this project exceeded expectations. I am grateful to have worked with you and to call you all my friends! #SwaBattlepass

Finally , Thank you to Syed Saqib and Hannah Hardee for showcasing this amazing opportunity at Southwest Airlines.

Conclusion

My summer internship at Southwest Airlines was unforgettable and has significantly shaped my career aspirations. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and mentors for their support and guidance. As I look toward the future, I'm excited to apply the skills and knowledge I gained to new challenges and opportunities. If you'd like to connect and discuss my experience further, feel free to reach out!