Meet MJ! He’s such an amazing young man with aspirations to be an airline pilot! I’ve known MJ for close to a decade now. How special to see him all grown up! I’m incredibly grateful for his phenomenal and thoughtful responses to my questions. Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride (oh boy, that’s more of a flight attendant’s phrase isn’t it?) <face-palm>
Tell me why you enjoy Aeronautics
Aeronautics has been an interest and passion of mine since I was about 6 years old. I have found it interesting all this time because it is an industry that I find to be full of endless possibilities and there is always room to learn more and improve on things such as teamwork, situational awareness, and communication skills. All these things make for a very exciting and compelling career path, but the thing that makes this even more enjoyable is the thrill of flying! Being in control of an aircraft is such a surreal experience every time for me and something that I get such a thrill from. Everything from the controls of the aircraft to the amazing view from so high up makes flying so wonderful and compelling to me.
Tell me about any plans for after graduation
My post-graduation plans:
-Enroll for a professional flight-officer (PFO) concentration degree at MSU Denver.
-Get my private pilot license
-Find an entry-level aviation position for an airline or aviation business
-Rack up about 300 flight hours to become a flight instructor
-Work as a flight instructor to rack up about 2000 flight hours to achieve a pilot position at an airline.
What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the simple things, such as playing with friends at recess, sleepovers, and staying up late on weekends while playing video games. Overall, these things remind me of a more simplistic time of my life where my concerns and ambitions didn’t run so deep.
Tell me one thing you hope to accomplish in your senior year.
The things I hope to accomplish in my senior year is to have a very memorable and meaningful experience. I want it to be more than simply having a fun time or simply achieving a lot, but I want it to have a very meaningful impact on the course of my life through both these things. I want to set myself up for the future while enjoying the process that the Lord has set up for me.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
If there is one thing that I could tell my younger self, it would be to begin setting himself up for the future as early as possible by asking and searching for guidance from the Lord.
This guy is amazing! MJ, praying for all the best as you journey forward to pursue such exciting aspirations. You will do great!!
-Jamie
Senior Photographer
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