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Careers Taking Flight: It’s Clear Skies for Aspiring Aviation Professionals
By Staff Writer
Published on Wed, Jul 2, 2025
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is fostering the next generation of aviation professionals with its Careers Taking Flight program, now in its third year.
The summer externship is a weeklong workforce development program where Long Beach high schoolers receive hands-on exposure to careers in aviation and connections to industry professionals and employers.
Conducted in partnership with Long Beach Unified School District and a slew of local aviation companies, Airport tenants, federal agencies and airline partners, the program offers two cohorts of 12 students from Cabrillo and Jordan high schools a five-day, 40-hour immersive experience that includes behind-the-scenes tours, career panels and interactive sessions.
On the final day of the program, students have the opportunity to ride along in an exploration flight in a general aviation aircraft, offered through Chapter Seven of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program.
Students who complete the externship also receive a $500 incentive and a chance to further their aviation career prep with LGB – two graduates from previous cohorts are currently interning with the Airport this summer.
So far 49 Long Beach youth have completed the program, with the next cohort set to take flight in August.
This year, more than 150 students applied for the opportunity, reflecting strong interest in the program. Participants are selected through a competitive application and interview process.
Through the Careers Taking Flight externship and a suite of other youth-focused programming and free public tours, LGB continues to invest in and inspire future leaders and open doors to exciting career paths in aviation.
The program uplifts the City of Long Beach’s Strategic Plan for Youth and Emerging Adults and is also one of many activations taking place this summer to foster positive youth development as part of the City’s Summer of Opportunity initiative.
Together LGB is helping Long Beach youth dream big and take flight.
More information is available on the program webpage at lgb.org.
