Cheyenne Stillinger and Larry Papenfuss are flying high with their internships at Spirit AeroSystem and Doc’s Friends Inc.
“In the aviation world, a lot of people think with planes and parts they don’t have to be preserved,” Stillinger said. “Anything involved needs to be preserved and cared for in the correct manner.”
Stillinger is currently working on a master’s degree in anthropology and the museum studies certificate. For her internship, she is working on an exhibit on women in aviation. Working on the exhibit gives Stillinger a unique opportunity to honor the women who played an important part in World War II. During the war, Rosie the Riveter was created as a symbol for women in the workforce. Stillinger explains who the iconic symbol represents.
“Rosie the Riveters” were mostly women who helped do the riveting on the planes, using the rivet guns.” Stillinger said. There were also women who were doing transportation of the parts and equipment throughout the facility. Most of those individuals were previous bus drivers for schools.”
Stillinger hopes the number of women in aviation will continue to grow.
Courtesy photo“There's a lot of jobs in aviation, and not just flying, that I think women should be aware of. The possibilities are endless,” Stillinger said.
Papenfuss is in the museum studies certificate program. Spirit hired Papenfuss as an intern, but that position has turned into a co-op, or a full-time paid position. He is working on a Smithsonian affiliate application for the B-29 “Doc” aircraft.
“I really wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything. It’s been extremely stressful; it’s a high volume of learning.” Papenfuss said. “It’s a lot of work but the amount of opportunity that it has afforded is priceless.”
Students in the museum studies certificate program complete of 15 credit hours of courses including anthropology, history and public information. The interdisciplinary program focuses on hands-on learning, which prepares the students for jobs within a museum.
Rachelle Meinecke, coordinator of the museum studies certificate program, explained how getting a museum studies certificate prepares her students for internships.
Courtesy photo“They learn how to handle artifacts, how to do cataloging, how to do the day-to-day running of a museum,” Meinecke said. “So, these courses definitely do prepare students. By the time they get to the internship aspect, most of them have already had these other classes so that helps having that hands-on work.”
Papenfuss said the applied learning experience is helpful for students.
"The hands-on component is so crucial to any job that you do and I applaud Wichita State for having that as an opportunity.”
The museum studies certificate program has prepared Papenfuss and Stillinger for their unique internships in aviation. A certificate in museum studies can provide many other opportunities, too. To find out more about the certificate and how it prepares students for internships and jobs in the museum field, visit: bit.ly/3cCmWRe.