A Stipend for Interns Is an Investment in Safety

Thanks to philanthropic support, The Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety was able to provide a $5,000 stipend to help fund student internships with the National Transportation Safety Board this summer. With support from The Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety Internship Fund, students conducted wreckage examinations, collaborated with experts across multiple divisions and turned data into safety recommendations.

Embry-Riddle Trustee Neal Keating and his wife, Allison, supported the internship fund’s inception among several other donors.

Working alongside the top talent in the industry, Embry-Riddle students who were able to pursue the internship with this support now have a deeper understanding of the critical work that will position them to one day advance transportation safety.

Sierra Juliano: Immersion Sharpens Perspective

Immersion in the work of NTSB’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., gave Human Factors senior Sierra Juliano broad exposure to the field of safety. “I’ve gained so much hands-on experience and had the opportunity to interact with experts across every office within the NTSB,” she says. “Seeing how everyone collaborates during an investigation has been eye-opening.” For Juliano, this summer was invaluable preparation for a career dedicated to designing the systems and training that will reduce human error and performance limitations that contribute to accidents.

Matthew Chin: Data Meets Safety

Matthew Chin, a U.S. Navy veteran pursuing a Master of Science in Data Science, was assigned to the NTSB’s Office of Research and Engineering, where he demonstrated how data drives strategic planning and safety recommendations. “I’m passionate about blending my interests in data science and aviation safety,” says Chin. “The NTSB internship has sharpened my critical thinking and given me firsthand insight into the power of data-driven decisions.”

Natasha Mahadeo: Raising Safety – and Personal – Standards

For senior Aviation Maintenance Science major Natasha Mahadeo, the high standards defining NTSB raised her personal standards. “The NTSB is the gold standard in accident investigation, and interning here was the smartest decision I could have made,” says Mahadeo. “What I’ve learned about leadership, investigation processes and teamwork has been incredible. This experience has shown me nearly every aspect of accident investigation.” Her time in the Air Carrier and Space Flight Investigations Division solidified her aspiration to become an NTSB investigator.

Jacob Wells: A Shift in Focus

While most of the interns were based in Washington, D.C., Jacob Wells, a senior majoring in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, interned with the NTSB’s Western Pacific Region in Seattle. Wells’ work with field investigations helped him refine his priorities. “This experience shifted my career focus to aviation safety,” said Wells. “Having NTSB experience is invaluable — the gold standard for safety, and it will jump-start my career in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

Shyan Khalil: A Career Transformed

An internship in the Occupational Safety and Health Division boosted the value Shyan Khalil, a senior majoring in Aerospace and Occupational Safety, could deliver in her next internship at American Airlines. “I’ve always been fascinated by accident investigation — uncovering what happened, solving the puzzle and recommending solutions for a safer future,” says Khalil. “The NTSB internship didn’t just meet my expectations — it exceeded them. It showed me that even ambitious career goals are within reach.”