College Recognizes Career and Technical Education Month® Through Student Success
(Lake Charles, Louisiana) – As Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® shines a spotlight on the value of CTE programs nationwide, three students from SOWELA Technical Community College’s Aviation Maintenance program are living out that mission by securing full-time aviation careers before earning their college diplomas.
While many college students see summer as a chance for seasonal work, Kaeleb Minton, Jerome Linscomb, and Milton Chretien turned theirs into an early career launch. After attending a SOWELA career fair and navigating a competitive hiring process, the trio was selected to participate in a paid aviation maintenance internship with Duncan Aviation, the world’s largest privately owned business jet service provider, at its headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
During the paid internship, Duncan Aviation covered travel and living expenses and offered opportunities for overtime, giving the students firsthand experience in a high-demand, high-wage field. Interns were assigned to specialized teams alongside peers from across the country, gaining exposure to a wide range of aircraft systems and maintenance operations.
“The first week we had orientation and learned their computer system,” said Linscomb. “Duncan also paid for classes on specific aircraft to give us more expertise in certain areas.”
Minton and Linscomb worked on the same maintenance team, performing tasks such as changing landing gear, working flight controls, cleaning corrosion, assisting with engine runs, and taxiing aircraft. Chretien served on the components team, where he worked in the accessory shop refurbishing and overhauling aircraft parts to ensure airworthiness.
All three students had completed one year of SOWELA’s Aviation Maintenance program before the internship, which they credit for preparing them to succeed. “SOWELA’s program is very hands-on, and that gave us an advantage over other interns,” said Linscomb. Chretien added that instructors emphasized industry expectations, from reading manuals to professional conduct. “They don’t just prepare us technically—they help us grow as employees and as people.”
That preparation paid off. Following the internship, all three students were offered full-time positions with Duncan Aviation. With graduation approaching in May and careers already secured, the students are well on their way to success in the aviation industry. Their achievement also paved the way for more SOWELA students to participate in similar internships with four more hired on for summer 2026.
SOWELA’s Aviation Maintenance program prepares students for FAA certification and immediate workforce entry through hands-on training, experienced instructors, and strong industry partnerships. Students gain real-world skills that lead directly to internships and employment opportunities nationwide. To learn more about the Aviation Maintenance program or how to apply, visit www.sowela.edu/aviation.
About Career and Technical Education Month®
Celebrated each February, Career and Technical Education Month® is a public awareness campaign to promote the importance of CTE and recognize the accomplishments of CTE programs and learners preparing for careers in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand industries. The celebration encourages communities to learn about and support local CTE pathways.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.