My work over the last couple of weeks has paid off. I was able to meet with Jason from an aerospace company to talk about possible internships and other job opportunities. The company designs and manufactures components and conversion packages for Cessna airplanes. I had spoken to Jason a few times over the last six months while trying to find internship opportunities in the Anchorage area. The first time I spoke to him in February he already had his summer internship position filled up, so I was not able to fill the role. He told me I could possibly have the fall internship. I figured I would never be interested in that since it would be seven months until then. Last week I had contacted Jason again and we set up a time to meet, July 19th midmorning, after I arrived in Anchorage.
The company's office is at Merrell Field, a light aircraft airport about 5 miles from where I am staying. This would be the first destination in Alaska that I would travel to. Though it sounds like a rather mundane place to visit, it was not. I rented a bike from the hostel for $20, had the hostel parent give me the best directions she could and I was off into the 50 degree damp Alaskan morning. I was slightly nervous as I rode; there could be bears, I could possibly have to ride on a very congested road, or get lost. I didn't want to be another Chris McCandles from Into the Wild. Luckily the worst that happened was my freshly starched and pressed pants got damp due to the missing rear fender on the mountain bike with flat tires I was riding.
I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at the company. Jason was always quiet and did not use many words when we had spoke before. I thought he might be coarse and lack friendliness. When I finally met him he looked as if he was a very tough and stern man; he had a thick beard and a barrel chest. He reminded me of some of the people I became friends with at Auburn. He took me through the office and showed me the engineering design group, the manufacturing, and the aircraft hanger. I was drawn to the mom and pop shop style of this company. We sat down with his boss, who had a surprising statement to make. He said that Jason, the man that looked like a stereotypical Alaskan mountain man, got his masters degree from MIT! Jason must of stood out at MIT where the majority is Asian.
I was offered the internship, though the pay was a little low for what I would want. I have not made a decision to accept the internship, once I know if I know where I am suppose to be I will be able to make the choice. The company seems like a great place to work, Alaska a great place to live, but I have some priorities elsewhere that I might need to take care of first.
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