Department:
Talent & Org Strategy
Our Company Promise
We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.
Summer 2027 People Learning & Development Internship
Notice: We ask that you apply with your personal email address rather than your school email (.edu) so we can stay connected about future roles at Southwest. Be sure to attach a resume to your application.
The Southwest Airlines' People Learning & Development Interns may be asked to support a variety of projects across one or more of the following Teams:
- Talent Acquisition: The Talent Acquisition Team, part of the Talent & Organizational Strategy Department, helps attract, engage, and hire the talented People who power Southwest Airlines. This Team supports recruiting efforts across the Company, from Campus Programs and early career hiring to corporate, operational, technical, and frontline roles. Through strategic recruiting and candidate engagement, the Team helps build the talent pipelines that support Southwest's continued success.
- Learning Programs: Support Southwest University (SWA U), the Team dedicated to training and equipping Employees with the skills and knowledge they need to support Southwest's Purpose, Vision, and Values. You'll gain hands-on experience supporting learning initiatives that help Employees grow and succeed across the Company. Working alongside training and learning professionals, you'll contribute to projects centered on collaboration, consistency, continuous improvement, and community, helping create effective learning solutions, enhance training experiences, and support professional development opportunities for Employees. This internship offers a unique opportunity to see how learning and development drives business success while building valuable skills in training, communication, and program support.
- Development Programs & Events: Help create development experiences that empower Employees to grow, lead, and reach their full potential. You'll support Talent and Leadership Development initiatives designed to help Employees advance their careers through learning opportunities, leadership programs, mentorship experiences, and Companywide development events. Working alongside experienced professionals, you'll contribute to programs that foster growth, strengthen leadership capabilities, and support the continued success of Southwest Employees.
- Leadership & Employee Development: Help create learning experiences that support Employees and Leaders at every stage of their Southwest journey. You'll support programs that provide training, development, and growth opportunities across the Company. Working alongside the Enterprise Leadership and Employee Development Team, you'll contribute to initiatives such as New Employee Onboarding, leadership development programs, and coaching resources that help Employees and Leaders build skills, grow their careers, and thrive at Southwest.
- Organizational Effectiveness: This team centers their focus on the Organizational view of departments with Southwest Airlines. Our consultants review department processes, evaluate team structure, and help with efficient internal operations for all Departments. This team supports Leaders throughout Southwest at the Director and Vice President level working in facets of Operations, Commercial, Enterprise, and Finance.
Additional Details
- Join Southwest as a Summer 2027 Intern, with a 12-week internship lasting from May 18 – August 8, 2027.
- Pay of $21-$24 per hour, corresponding with progress toward degree.
- Stipends may be offered based on eligibility and program criteria.
- The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours (2702 Love Field Drive).
- Dedicate 40 hours each week (maximum of 8 hours per day) to your internship responsibilities and tasks.
- Receive free, unlimited space available travel privileges for yourself (taxes and fees may apply on international travel).
- Interns will be provided any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the internship
- U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.
We're committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities for the People, Learning & Development Intern may include, but are not limited to:
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Support
- Assist in full-cycle recruiting activities.
- Participate in hiring events and support various recruiting projects.
- Support Campus Programs through event planning, Intern communications, and serving as a point of contact for the Intern class.
- Participate in HR systems trainings and compile reports on recruiting and program performance.
Learning Programs and Development Programs & Events Support
- Access, analyze, document, and report findings for projects within a learning programs environment.
- Examine participant feedback, training effectiveness, and key learning metrics to identify areas for improvement.
- Identify gaps and opportunities in learning programs by documenting processes and recommending enhancements.
- Update and edit coursework to ensure it reflects participant-centered adult learning principles.
- Assist consultants and facilitators in delivering classes, workshops, and training events.
- Manage projects from intake to implementation and ensure Stakeholders remain aligned.
- Coordinate Culture events, meetings, and departmental activities as needed.
Leadership & Employee Development Support
- Conduct research and support special projects aligned with Talent & Leadership Development (TL&D) initiatives.
- Prepare materials for meetings, presentations, reports, and program sessions.
- Support leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, onboarding efforts, and coaching programs.
- Assist in the planning and execution of leadership classes, workshops, and enterprise-wide development programs.
- Communicate with outside sources, vendors, internal Teams, and Customers via phone, written communication, and personal contact.
Organizational Effectiveness Support
- Meet with Leadership to support assigned organizational design and effectiveness projects.
- Conduct gap analyses and capture accurate meeting minutes.
- Support meeting facilitation, professional presentations, and workshops.
- Create templates, presentations, and documentation for organizational initiatives.
- Assist in planning and studying work problems and procedures related to organizational change, communication, information flow, processes, or cost analysis.
- Prepare content and coordinate organizational design workshops, including agenda creation, facilitation support, and documentation.
- Apply general rules and frameworks to specific problems to help produce logical, actionable solutions.
All People Learning & Development Internship Support
Events, Programs & Project Management
- Assist with special projects and events such as classes, workshops, conferences, and training programs.
- Conduct research and handle unique assignments to support TL&D and HR objectives.
- Organize materials and logistics for internal events, meetings, and development activities.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Provide insights, recommendations, and performance support to Leaders and Employees.
- Coordinate communications aligned with Intern programs, learning initiatives, and department updates.
- Collaborate with diverse Teams across the Company to maintain consistency, share best practices, and support departmental goals.
General Responsibilities
- Expected to attend occasional in-office departmental events at Southwest's Headquarters.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information professionally.
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.
Knowledge, Skills, Work Style & Abilities
- Experience in MS Office preferred
- Ability to work independently and the willingness to function as a part of a Team
- Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and complete assignments with tight deadlines
- Ability to lift and move items such as tables and chairs to set up and break down classrooms
- Strong oral and written communication skills are preferred
- Must handle confidential and sensitive information with the utmost professionalism
Education
- Progress towards a degree in HR Management, Training Development, Learning Technology, Organizational Development, Mathematics, Business, Project Management, Human Capital Management, Management Consulting, Strategic Projects, Organizational design, Organizational Effectiveness, or related degree
- Progress towards a 4-year undergraduate degree preferred
- To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled as a full-time student (as defined by your university) at the time of application and during the internship
- At least 3 semesters remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application
Basic Qualifications
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
- You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process
Experience
- Involvement in campus organizations, clubs, or extracurricular activities is preferred.
- Previous Leadership positions are a plus.
- Previous internship or work experience is preferred, especially in a field related to HR or Learn/Development.
- Working knowledge of training, communications, human resources, or operations preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work with a diverse Employee population.
- Knowledge of Adult Learning, e-learning, and Instructional design theory preferred. (Learning & Development Interns)
- Entry level experience, developing skills and knowledge in: The area of Screening, Unemployment and/or I-9 compliance (Compliance Intern)
- Event planning experience is preferred, particularly in a Talent Acquisition space/capacity
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
