Inside Knight Transportation’s Internship Program: A Summer of Growth
At Knight Transportation, investing in our people is one of the ways we drive long-term success. This summer, we welcomed four talented interns to our 10-week Knight Internship Program, providing hands-on experience across Safety, Account Management, Accounting & Finance, and Digital Marketing.
The Knight Internship Program provides undergraduate students with hands-on experience in a professional work environment while helping them develop job-specific skills, build professional relationships, and explore career opportunities in the transportation industry.
Throughout the program, our interns gained exposure to the transportation industry. They collaborated with experienced team members, participated in leadership discussions, and worked on meaningful projects that delivered real business value.
From operational safety initiatives to financial analysis, marketing strategy, and process improvement, each intern left a unique mark on the organization while building skills that will support their future careers.
Meet the 2026 Knight Internship Program Interns
Safety Intern | Sarah Altstadter
Sarah Altstadter, a junior at Purdue University, joined Knight’s Safety team to gain firsthand experience in transportation safety and compliance. Throughout the summer, Sarah shadowed multiple Safety Support teams, including OS&D, Logs, Compliance, and Cargo Claims.
To better understand operations in the field, Sarah spent time at the Phoenix Terminal shadowing Tanner Brunetti, West Regional Safety Director, and completed a ride-along with a local driver. The experience provided valuable insight into daily operations and the critical role safety plays across the organization.
Sarah’s primary project focused on an innovative technology solution designed to enhance communication and support decision-making.
Through her work, she explored how emerging technologies can improve efficiency, provide proactive support, and drive positive business outcomes.
Outside of project work, Sarah enjoyed participating in lunch-and-learn sessions, where interns shared personal interests and learned more about one another while building connections across the group.
Account Management Intern | Adam Herring
Adam Herring, an incoming senior Supply Chain Management student at Arizona State University, spent his summer supporting the Account Management team. Adam’s primary project focused on evaluating scheduling and rescheduling processes within account management.
Through research and analysis, he identified opportunities to improve efficiency and enhance customer service experiences. His findings and recommendations contributed to ongoing efforts to optimize workflows and support operational excellence.
Adam, along with our other interns, had the opportunity to participate in an executive leadership Q&A session with CEO Adam Miller and CFO Andrew Hess.
During the session, the interns introduced themselves and asked questions about education, career growth, and the transition from college to the professional world.
Among the insights that resonated most with Adam were the importance of building strong professional relationships and approaching challenges with solutions in mind rather than simply identifying problems.
Accounting & Finance Intern | Tori Koch
Tori Koch, an incoming senior at Northern Arizona University, spent the summer supporting Knight’s Accounting and Finance teams. Her internship provided exposure to a variety of accounting and financial processes, allowing her to develop technical skills and gain practical experience in corporate finance.
One of her key projects involved analyzing terminal financial data and providing feedback to terminal managers.
She also participated in monthly financial review calls, giving her direct exposure to decision-making processes across the business. Additionally, Tori completed an Atlanta Reefer analysis focused on opportunities for the terminal and evaluating future growth projections.
When reflecting on her experience, Tori shared that one of her favorite aspects of the internship was interacting with terminal managers. She learned how financial decisions influence day-to-day operations. She also appreciated the flexibility to gain experience in both finance and accounting throughout the program.
Digital Marketing Intern | Devin Driskill
Devin Driskill, a student at Brigham Young University, joined Knight’s Digital Marketing team, where he focused on strengthening Knight’s brand presence, supporting both recruiting and owner-operator initiatives.
Through the internship, Devin contributed to lead reporting, job listing optimization, competitive analysis, and content planning efforts alongside our social media team. His work provided valuable insights into what resonates with professional drivers in today’s ever-changing industry.
One of Devin’s primary projects involved analyzing in-house owner-operator survey data in partnership with Recruiting, Marketing, and the Owner-Operator team.
Through his research, he helped identify key motivators among owner-operators and how to communicate Knight’s offerings more effectively.
Devin’s work yielded important takeaways that have strengthened ongoing initiatives and enhanced Knight’s messaging.
Knight Internship Program Summer Highlights
While our interns spent their days contributing to meaningful projects and gaining hands-on experience, the summer was about much more than work. From community service and leadership discussions to creative challenges and industry tours, this year’s internship program offered opportunities to learn, connect, and create lasting memories.
Supporting St. Mary’s Food Bank
Our interns witnessed the impact of community partnerships firsthand during a visit to St. Mary’s Food Bank. The day began with a $30,000 donation presentation before the group rolled up their sleeves to help pack emergency food boxes. This mission is for individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout Arizona.
Helping Families Through Fosters Alliance
The group spent time supporting Fosters Alliance, where Knight presented a $5,000 donation before touring the organization’s facility. Interns then joined members of Swift’s Management Development Program (MDP) to pack Back-to-School backpacks. The backpacks were filled with essential school supplies. The team also decorated birthday celebration bags designed to help foster children enjoy their special day.
Knight-Swift Field Trip
One of the summer’s most anticipated events was a joint field trip to Swift Transportation and Knight Transportation facilities. Interns toured Swift’s headquarters and maintenance shop before heading to Knight’s Phoenix terminal for a Lunch & Learn featuring leaders from both organizations. The day concluded with some friendly competition on the driving simulators, where a few unexpected “accidents” provided plenty of laughs.
Our Knight Summer Interns In Action
A Summer of Learning, Growth, and Impact
While each intern worked in a different area of the business, they shared a common experience: meaningful, hands-on learning and the opportunity to contribute to projects that support Knight’s success. The Knight Internship Program provides more than a workplace experience.
Interns learn from industry leaders, build professional relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of how each department contributes to the company’s mission.
Our four interns, representing different universities, quickly formed strong connections from day one. They leaned on and supported one another throughout the 10-week program. The Knight Internship Program is more than an internship experience. It’s an experience that helps individuals grow both personally and professionally.
We’re grateful for the contributions Sarah, Adam, Tori, and Devin made throughout the summer and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next. Their curiosity and fresh perspectives helped make this year’s internship program a success.
Inspired by Their Experience?
At Knight, our internship program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience, professional development, and exposure to a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
Watch our 2026 Knight Intern Program Video to learn more about the experience and hear firsthand from our interns about what makes the program unique.
Interested in joining a future internship class?
Explore current opportunities on our career page and learn how you can begin your career journey with Knight.
