2026 Aviation Career Conference:
Nearly 350 students gathered for the 2026 UNO Aviation Career Conference on Thursday, Sept. 24, for a day focused on exploring careers, learning from aviation professionals and making connections that could help shape their futures.
Students from the UNO Aviation Institute were joined by students from Burke High School, Lincoln North Star High School and Bellevue High School, creating an opportunity for both current and future aviation students to learn more about the many career paths available across the industry.
Organized by Hunter Pehrson, the full-day conference brought the industry directly to students through a keynote presentation, breakout sessions, an aviation expo and one-on-one conversations with professionals. Whether students were just beginning to think about an aviation career or preparing to enter the workforce, the conference gave them an opportunity to ask questions, hear firsthand experiences and begin building professional relationships.
There Is More Than One Path to an Aviation Career:
Keynote speaker Benji Cunningham, a Boeing 737 First Officer with United Airlines, shared a message that resonated with students: careers rarely unfold exactly as planned.
Drawing from a career that has included military service, corporate leadership, flight instruction and airline flying, Cunningham encouraged students to remain open to opportunities and stay focused on what they are passionate about, even when their original plans change.
His journey from “Plan A to Plan K” demonstrated that an unexpected change in direction does not have to mean giving up on a goal. Instead, different experiences can build the skills, relationships and perspective that ultimately lead to a rewarding career.
Cunningham joined United Airlines in 2024 after serving as both a Captain and First Officer with SkyWest Airlines. He also previously served as Chief Flight Instructor at Oracle Aviation in Omaha, where he trained and mentored aspiring professional pilots.
Learning What the Career Really Looks Like:
Four breakout sessions moved beyond general career advice and gave students a practical look at what they can expect as they prepare to enter the aviation industry.
Ray Bennett led Building Your Career in Aviation: Making the Most of Every Opportunity, discussing how students can recognize opportunities, build meaningful professional relationships and make intentional decisions throughout their careers.
Dillon Musil took students behind the scenes of airline scheduling during Behind the Schedule: How Pilots Bid and Trade Trips. Students learned how seniority influences schedules, how trips are awarded and how pilots can make adjustments once their schedules are built.
Mallory Larsen offered a personal look at airline life in Beyond the Flight Deck: A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot. In addition to discussing trips, overnights and time away from home, she shared her experience balancing an airline career with family life as a new parent.
Travis Parks focused on one of the most important steps in beginning a career: getting hired. His session, Before the Interview: How to Prepare and Stand Out, provided practical guidance on building a strong résumé, researching potential employers, preparing for interview questions and effectively communicating experiences and accomplishments.
For student Caitlyn Musil, the sessions were one of several highlights of the day. She attended Bennett’s and Musil’s presentations and valued the chance to learn from professionals beyond the breakout rooms.
“I learned so much that will be helpful to my career,” Caitlyn said. “I also got to meet so many remarkable people and ask aviation professionals questions. It was a great experience.”
Turning Conversations into Connections:
The learning continued outside the breakout rooms. Throughout the Aviation Expo, students met with airline representatives, aviation companies, industry partners and professionals representing a variety of career opportunities.
Scott Vlasek, Director of the UNO Aviation Institute, said, “One of the most important things we can do for our students is create opportunities for them to connect what they are learning in the classroom with the industry they are preparing to enter. The Aviation Career Conference gives students a chance to hear directly from professionals, ask questions, build relationships and begin to see where they might fit within this industry. Aviation is built on relationships, and many of the conversations students have today can become connections that stay with them throughout their careers. I’m incredibly grateful to the professionals and industry partners who give their time to make those opportunities possible for our students.”
For some students, the day provided a clearer picture of where they want to go. For others, it introduced career possibilities they may not have previously considered. That is what the Aviation Career Conference is designed to accomplish: help students connect what they are learning today with the opportunities waiting for them tomorrow.
With nearly 350 students participating, the 2026 conference demonstrated the value of bringing students and industry together in the same room. The UNO Aviation Institute looks forward to building on that momentum as planning begins for the 2027 Aviation Career Conference.
