Summary
What are your plans after graduating?
The next chapter of my life involves taking to the skies and moving forward in my aviation journey to flying cargo commercially. I have been flying skydivers and flight instructing my last few semesters at school. Still, the next step is to move on toward bigger planes and a stable career path that will hopefully conclude with me working at one of the legacy major airlines (United, Delta, or American). But first, I will take some well-needed rest and then look forward to returning and getting my master's in geography at some point in the future!
What is the most important piece of advice you’d give to an incoming college freshman?
My best advice for an incoming freshman is to recognize that college, and indeed life, is a marathon and not a sprint. It's no good to put all your energy into the first two years only to find that you are burnt out and can't continue for the next few. Secondly, do not be afraid of uncertainty and be willing to change course when an opportunity arises. I was undeclared for the first two years so that I could see what major best fit into my passion for learning and ended up choosing a major I knew nothing about before starting college. Be kind and patient with yourself and give yourself the same grace that you would give a friend or a family member when you don't meet expectations for yourself.
Where do you see yourself in fifteen years?
In fifteen years, I hope to be settled into my flying career, married to my current partner with a few kids with whom I will share my love and passion for learning and life to the best of my ability. I also hope that circumstances allow for me to come back to school to get my master's in geography and if that goes well my Ph.D. as well. Most of all I hope to be celebrating what will be my 20th year in recovery from drug addiction because, without that, everything else is meaningless.