Beyond an Internship: Building My Career at SunExpress 🌟

Fresh off my Erasmus Traineeship program in Germany, I returned home with a mind full of diverse cultures and international memories.  Usually, coming back means dealing with "Post-Erasmus depression" that sudden, heavy shift back to a quiet routine. However, that transition became much easier for me. Instead of falling into a post-Erasmus void, I stepped right into SunExpress. Looking back at my very first day, the dynamic aviation atmosphere immediately kept my energy alive, setting the stage for a journey that would deeply transform me both personally and professionally. 

The Perfect Match: How My Path Crossed with SunExpress 

Entering the final year of my dual major in Industrial and Computer Engineering, my goal was to bridge my theoretical knowledge with a strong corporate structure. That’s exactly when my path crossed with SunExpress, thanks to the university-industry collaboration: Antalya Bilim University’s International Cooperative Education (ICE) Program.  

I’m deeply grateful to Kamer Hoca for guiding me toward this opportunity, and to our SunExpress coordinator, Ceyda, for her incredible support in bridging this journey. This unique initiative allowed me to step into the corporate world full-time, during my senior year as a long-term intern in the Talent Management Team. Looking back, it has been the most rewarding, fast-paced, and inspiring "school" I could have ever wished for. 

More Than an Internship: A Culture of Collaboration 

One of the first things I noticed at SunExpress and what made me feel the luckiest to be here is the incredibly welcoming and friendly culture. This atmosphere made my shift from student to corporate life effortless, turning every day into a chance to learn. 

Right from the start, I was never treated just as an intern but embraced as a true team member. Working alongside talented colleagues from diverse backgrounds has been invaluable for my growth, exposing me to unique perspectives and insights every single day. 

I am deeply grateful to my manager Recep Bey for his endless guidance and for empowering me throughout this entire journey. I’ve had the chance to work with inspiring colleagues whose support made a huge difference, especially Merve, who guided me through every technical process, helped me learn the ropes and truly broadened my horizons in every sense. Working alongside Mertan and Burak has been great; they never hesitated to share their expertise and keep my motivation high every single day. 

Ultimately, having such a supportive and empowering team showed me that having great teammates is truly the best thing I could ever ask for at the beginning of my career. 

Continuous Growth: Stepping Into the Aviation World 

Being a long-term intern in the Talent Management Team gave me the opportunity to expand my skill set and explore the broader dynamics of SunExpress. 

Working on the Performance side of the Talent Management Team allowed me to look at corporate processes from an analytical perspective. I worked on data-driven tasks, analyzed performance metrics, and gained a deeper understanding of how business processes operate on a larger organizational scale.  

At the same time, thanks to Sümeyye and Denise from the Learning & Development team, I had the opportunity to participate in various L&D trainings and the FLY Talent Program sessions. Through these sessions, I not only learned about new tools and technologies like RPA (Robotic Process Automation) but also attended unique trainings ranging from Employer Branding and airline finance to exploring Boeing aircraft and navigating stress management. 

Additionally, conducting direct orientations with different departments was instrumental in shaping my perspective, ultimately giving me a comprehensive understanding of how the entire aviation industry operates from the inside out. 

Perks of the Journey: Travel, & Friendships 

The benefits of SunExpress really made this experience special. Thanks to the discounted tickets, and wide flight network, I had the chance to travel and explore new places throughout this journey like easily visiting my best friend in Izmir. Now, I’m already excited about all the destinations left to explore! 

Beyond the work itself, this environment helped me build amazing connections that are turning into lifelong friendships. 

The Journey Continues: My Next Big Step 

Recently, I embarked on an exciting new chapter by officially transitioning into a full-time role within my own Talent Management team after 7 months as an intern. I feel incredibly lucky to keep building my career right here with the team that supported me. 

This whole experience has been transformative. There is still so much more to learn, and countless milestones ahead.