While working on a Bachelor’s in Interior Design in the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Shaylee Wagner knew she was expected to work an internship between her 3rd and 4th year. Her classmates applied for jobs with architecture and design firms, where they’d likely help sort fabric and materials. Instead, Shaylee hoped for an internship that gave her hands-on experience.
Her education had been interrupted by COVID. The classes continued online with digital coursework, and she learned how to create and manipulate computer models, but there were no in-person classes or hands-on projects. Shaylee really craved both for her internship.
“I was born and raised in Lincoln, and I’d heard about Duncan Aviation,” says Shaylee. “I had a good friend who interned in the Engineering Department, and he told me how great it was. He knew I’d get the hands-on experience I wanted as opposed to busy work.”
She applied and had a phone interview with Interior Assistant Manager Curt Eliker. When she was called for an in-person interview, Shaylee noticed as she walked through the hangar with Curt that he smiled and spoke to everyone they passed, and they all smiled and greeted him in return.
“I thought that was amazing! Everyone we passed looked happy and engaged,” says Shaylee. “It was clear to me that people liked working at Duncan Aviation, and after the interviews, it stood out as a unique place to get an internship.”
Starting on May 9, 2022, Shaylee worked in the Upholstery Shop through mid-July. Within the first week, she knew she’d make the right choice.
“It was so satisfying, and I loved the physical work,” says Shaylee. “I was able to see what I was making in real-time. I also got to see it completed and delivered! The school projects we worked on were computer models requiring no actual, physical work. They were months’ long and imaginary, digital. We never had the gratification of seeing the final project as I did here at Duncan Aviation.”
Shaylee knew her way around a sewing machine. She’d grown up sewing and repairing clothes. Her grandfather owned an auto upholstery shop, and her grandmother had always sewn the upholstery for their home furniture. Still, Shaylee had never used an industrial sewing machine.
“I spent my first month sewing seat cushions, back rests, life-vest pouches, and more,” says Shaylee. “It was really challenging. We were sewing materials I’d never worked with before, and with material like leather, you get only one shot. Once the needle punctures the leather, it’s too late if you realize you’re in the wrong place. You’ve ruined the piece of leather!”
After sewing, she moved to the bench where she disassembled and reassembled seats and worked with belts, plating, covering panels, and a lot of the more mechanical parts of the seats. She shadowed in the automation department, where they 3D model the designs of the seats.
“The Designers talk to the customers, show them what Duncan Aviation can do, and help them decide what they want their seats to look like,” says Shaylee. “Then, the automation department creates models based on the rendered design. We can make 2D patterns from the 3D model using software instead of hand patterning. Once the design, model, and first article chair meet the customer’s expectations, we’ll cut out the physical panels on the Gerber machines, sew them together, and upholster the actual chair.”
As her internship drew to a close, she had an exit interview with Curt, and he offered her an on-call, fill-in position at the company for roughly 18 hours per week. Although it was her senior year, she was carrying a heavy course load, and she already had a job at the school, working on the printer/plotter doing laser and 3D printing for the College of Architecture, Shaylee jumped at the chance.
In May 2023, she graduated from UNL with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Art.
“I’d been drawn to Interior Design because my dad was a high school shop teacher, and he taught architecture shop classes. I love how interior design connects people to their environment,” says Shaylee. “I like architecture, too, but it’s a large structure, far less personal than the interior. Most of us spend roughly 90% of our lives indoors, and that space—whether it’s an airport, a grocery store, a movie theater, or even a car or RV—was designed by an architect or interior designer. The interior dictates how we interact with our space and how it makes us feel.”
Shaylee took off several well-deserved weeks after her graduation, and when she returned, Nick Graham, the Team Leader in Upholstery, talked to hear about future roles at the company; he wanted to put her on a path for success.
“When I first started working with Shaylee, I noticed her strong leadership skills and saw great potential in her. I began discussing the various career paths at Duncan Aviation with her and mentioned that I could envision her in a leadership role someday. I offered to share the insights and knowledge I’ve gained over the years in my own leadership position to help her along the way. My goal is to ensure that Shaylee can benefit from the same opportunities that Duncan Aviation has generously provided for me. After considering her options, Shaylee decided that leadership was the path she wanted to pursue. I told her, ‘Alright, buckle up, because I’m going to teach you everything I've learned about leadership’,” says Nick.
For Nick what stands out most about Shaylee is her determined commitment to excellence and her ability to foster a collaborative and positive team environment.
“She has a remarkable knack for problem-solving and consistently demonstrates strong leadership qualities, which not only motivate the team but also drive exceptional performance,” says Nick. “Her proactive approach and dedication to continuous improvement make her a valuable asset to Duncan Aviation, positioning her for a successful and impactful career here.”
At that point, she started learning other aspects of the Upholstery Shop, including work order documentation, burn certification, change orders, belts/plating, and much more.
“I felt prepared enough from all I’d been working on to apply for the Crew Leader position. In March, I interviewed for it and got it!” says Shaylee. “It feels like the right fit. I enjoy working with my team leader, and we both work together to make our team better.”
She’s also taking advantage of every opportunity to learn about the company and improve herself in the process. She’s taken several leadership classes, business writing, crucial conversations, and Emergenetics.
“I have a few on the docket to take in the next year or so. I didn’t realize Duncan Aviation offered them—maintenance classes, especially,” says Shaylee. “I feel fully supported in my new leadership role. I get plenty of help and guidance.”
Shaylee loves what she’s doing right now, and although she doesn’t see herself moving from Upholstery, she knows at Duncan Aviation, the more she learns about the company, the more opportunity she’ll have.
“I can see myself applying for a Team Leader position at some point, if it opens up, but I am happy where I am. The more I learn about Duncan Aviation, the more I love it!” says Shaylee. “I don’t want to jump ahead. I gain value from everything I’m able to learn.”
Among the things she’s learned is the vast difference between the interior of a commercial aircraft, with the narrow aisles and small, cramped, uncomfortable seats and business aviation, with their spacious interiors and big, comfortable seats.
“It was crazy the first time I saw the inside of an aircraft we were working on, and it was mindboggling when I saw the interior that had been gutted so we could do the work,” says Shaylee. “It’s just so cool when you see it before delivery, all put back together, representing the culmination of all the work we’ve done!”
As mentioned, she noticed how happy everyone was during her interview for her internship. Now that she’s been here a while, Shaylee says she knows exactly how they feel.
“I can come to work every day at Duncan Aviation and know I’m working with my friends. I spend at least 40 hours each week with them, which is more time than I spend with my family,” laughs Shaylee. “I love working on aircraft. Every day is a challenge, and all I do and learn keeps my brain active. As I walk through the hangars each day, I feel so lucky to know this is my job!”