My name is Elizabeth Walloch and I have been a communications intern at Angel Flight West since September this year. I’m a senior at The University of Montana pursuing a bachelors degree in communications and certificates in health communication and entertainment management. When I’m not studying or creating content for AFW, you can usually find me at practice with my teammates or dancing on the sidelines at football games as a fourth-year member of the Griz Dance Team.
I’ve always enjoyed being a part of something bigger than myself. Most of my life, I’ve been on a team or part of a group with a shared goal and purpose. Knowing I couldn’t dance with my team forever, I started looking for a new community where I could learn, contribute, and build skills that would help me in my future career. That search ultimately led me to AFW, and I saw this internship as a great steppingstone toward my dream of working in airline communications.
Before my internship with AFW, I hadn’t really been able to apply the concepts and skills I was learning at school into the real world. I feel that I have learned so much about what a career in communications could be like from my short time with AFW and while working with Jessica. I’ve always enjoyed writing and felt it was one of my strengths, but I knew I still had room to grow. My AFW internship has really helped me strengthen those skills for success in my future career.
Although I enjoy writing stories and creating content for AFW, the most meaningful part of my internship is getting to help spread awareness for a great organization. It means a lot to me knowing my work can contribute to making someone’s life a bit easier and giving families the chance to spend more time together. The first time I really understood AFW’s impact was after I attended one of our virtual town hall meetings where I heard a few passengers’ testimonies and experiences with AFW. Hearing from passengers firsthand was when I saw how truly meaningful and essential this organization is for many people.
My time at AFW has been a very meaningful part of my senior year, and I’m truly grateful for the experiences, mentorship, and confidence this internship has brought me. I’ve grown not only as a communicator, but also as a person who understands the power and effect purposeful work can have on others. As I prepare for graduation and the next steps in my career, I’ll bring everything I’ve learned here with me at Angel Flight West.
