We had the pleasure of meeting Teba (pictured above on the left with Michelle Cassaro of the Chicago Rockford International Airport on the right), who shared her thoughts on her internship experience at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. She was kind enough to share her speech with us, which is below.
“My experience here at the Chicago Rockford International Airport has truly been exceptional. I’ve been given the opportunity to develop essential skills that I know will stay with me as I move forward in my future career.
The staff at RFD are some of the most genuine and hardworking people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. They are sincere, kind, and incredibly supportive, the list could go on. I was even offered the opportunity to become an official airport intern for the summer, something I never would have expected, but am incredibly grateful for. Over time, I’ve grown close to everyone here, and when this internship comes to an end, I know it will be difficult to say goodbye. The staff have always been willing to lend a helping hand without hesitation. For example, Shelly is always willing to invite me into her office and show me the projects she works on, guiding me through the processes and providing me with an insight into her day-to-day work life. She invites me to meetings, feeds me, and challenges me to grow, all while making sure that I enjoy the experience. What stood out the most to me is that I was never made to feel like an outsider—even as the youngest and only intern in the administrative building. I will always be grateful for the time, effort, and care everyone put into helping me learn and expand my knowledge in the business field.
While on the topic of business, it is something I want to pursue seriously. I aspire to one day become an entrepreneur, working alongside my dad as a team. My time in Human Resources at RFD has helped me develop valuable skills in leadership, organization, and decision-making. One of my favorite experiences has been participating in interviewing candidates for job openings and taking care of the application and hiring processes. It’s been exciting to meet a wide variety of people and apply my judgment and communication abilities in a real-world setting. I’ve discovered that I really enjoy this aspect of business, and it’s an area where I feel I’ve grown the most. This experience will directly support my future goals, as I know I’ll need these same skills when building and managing my own business.
I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank my family, who are here supporting me from the stands today. Your presence means more to me than words can fully express. From the very beginning, you have poured your time, love, and wisdom into raising me, always guiding me with care and teaching me the values that have shaped who I am. You gave me the strength to face challenges, the encouragement to keep going when things felt difficult, and the belief that I could achieve more than I ever imagined. Because of you, I stand here today as a strong, driven, and determined young woman. Everything I have accomplished is rooted in the foundation you built for me, and I carry your lessons with me in everything I do. I am endlessly grateful for your sacrifices, your patience, and your unwavering support, and I hope to continue making you proud in all that lies ahead.
In closing, I want to, again, express my gratitude to all the RFD staff for everything you’ve done for me. I also owe a tremendous thank you to Berenice and the Workforce Connection. Without your offer and support, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to develop these new skills, gain valuable experience, and work alongside such incredible people over the past few months. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. I will never forget the impact you’ve had on my journey or the opportunities you’ve given me.”
Click here to learn about the employer’s perspective on their experience hosting Teba as an intern.