We’re often asked if Campus Reach Interns are ever hired for full-time employment after their internship. Our answer: we love hiring Interns! The Campus Reach program has built a talent acquisition pipeline here at Southwest, so you will see many of our former Interns roaming the hallways now as full-time Southwest Employees.
David Kobbe interned on the Supply Chain Management Team back in summer 2013 and summer 2014, and is now a Senior Business Analyst in Technology working with Corporate Sales. Read on to learn more about his journey from Intern to full-time Employee, and the cool experiences he’s had along the way.
Interested in becoming a Southwest Employee? Visit our Southwest Careers Discussion Forum to learn more about joining our Team.
Year/semester of internship: Summer 2013 and 2014
Department/Team interned for: While I spent both of my internships in the Supply Chain Management department, I worked with the Strategic Sourcing Team in 2013, and then returned to work with the Maintenance Material Planning Team the next year.
Department/Team and current job title: Senior Business Analyst supporting Corporate Sales on the Technology–Projects & Planning Team. As a Senior Business Analyst, I primarily serve as the liaison between Corporate Sales and the Technology Department supporting investment projects and multi-year planning.
Years at Southwest: Four years. Following my summer 2014 internship, I was hired full time as an Associate Business Analyst in our Office of the Chief Information Officer before transitioning to my current Team.
Favorite Southwest city: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Most memorable Southwest moment/event: The official Southwest re-brand happened to fall on my first day as a full-time Employee. About 20 minutes into day one, all Employees gathered in the hangar at Dallas Love Field to see the unveiling of the new aircraft livery, named Heart, and logo. This was followed by a Southwest style celebration—a great way to kick off my career here!
My second most memorable event would most certainly be when the Wright Amendment restrictions were lifted in 2014. This was monumental for Southwest as it meant we were no longer limited in offering direct flights from Dallas Love Field to just Texas’ neighboring states. My parents flew on one of the first nonstop flights out of Dallas Love Field!
First ever job: I owned and operated a coffee stand with my friend, Nicole, at our local Long Island, NY Commuter Rail station—young entrepreneurs at work! My first official job was as a customer service representative at Allstate Insurance and a pizza delivery driver for a local Italian restaurant. It was a summer of pizza and hanging around the beach—not a bad gig!
Proudest Southwest moment: My proudest moment would definitely be sending my parents on their first adventure with our travel privileges. Having successfully checked off two bucket lists of travel destinations and continuing to build new lists, my parents are living the travel dream. I’m incredibly grateful that my work allows me the opportunity to give back to them.
I also loved witnessing our Legendary Customer Service come alive at the New York (LaGuardia) Station when I coordinated with the Station Leaders to create a celebration for my niece, Lily’s, first Southwest flight! It was so fun surprising my sister and brother-in-law with a small party and gifts to commemorate Lily’s first of many Southwest flights!
Words to live by: “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.”
Reasons other people should intern at Southwest: Where else can you gain critical work experience with real-life responsibilities, contribute value to the bottom line, and travel the continent—all in one semester? This is all paired with creating life-long friendships and memories you will never forget!
Ultimate Travel Tip: Pack light and for all climates—you never know when plans can change. Our Employees have amassed a wealth of travel tips throughout their time at Southwest, which you can find here. Be ready to embrace spontaneity!
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