Flightpaths to the Future
FAA employees at air traffic control facilities in Virginia joined forces recently to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
By C. Troxell, FAA
FAA professionals joined forces at the agency’s Air Traffic System Control Command Center and Potomac Air Traffic Control facility on Nov. 30 for an interactive, in-person tour for the students of Marshall Academy, located in Falls Church, Virginia. This marked a welcome return to the in-person field trips for the students.
The day kicked off with FAA technicians and controllers giving students a tour of the operations at each facility, where they showed how they manage the nation’s complex airspace.
“It is so important to do the outreach to the next generation of employees because technology is fast-changing,” said Jeff Planty, who leads the FAA’s organization of technicians responsible for maintaining flight navigation and communications systems. “This group of students will help solve the tomorrow’s problems by engaging in STEM, our internship program, and hopefully join the FAA and help advance the technology in aviation.”
“We want everyone to know that the FAA has a plethora of careers that expand your imagination…anything that your heart desires, whether it is IT or cybersecurity, drones, gaming, robotics, policy, we have technical writers here,” added STEM Outreach Representative Caronell “Nell” Diew, who hosted the event with other FAA professionals.
“Anything you can think of, we have it here, and we want you to be part of the future. You are the future, and we are investing in you.” — Caronell “Nell” Diew
Marshall Academy offers its students certifications, such as AutoCAD and Cisco CCENT, college credit through dual enrollment, and various engineering and information technology programs to teach students how to build robots, troubleshoot computer networks, and more. Students develop skills and knowledge in areas applicable to many aviation occupations and enhance their studies at the academy while completing their curriculum at their high school.
“The FAA field trips really provide the vast elements and related careers in aerospace and aviation to support the education and professional development plans for the students to determine the pathways for their STEM careers,” said Jeff McFarland, the Academy’s director.
“We have students study cybersecurity and cloud computing, so these students are your future,” added Shelli Carpenter Farquharson, the Academy’s STEM career experience specialist. “So they are blown away; they are really impressed with what you do and how many people it takes to keep us safe as we fly…they see that the pathway is open to them through their parents, mentors, and through opportunities like this.”
Alexander Collie, age 23, recently joined the FAA’s Technical Operations workforce as a management and program analyst, and spoke to the students about opportunities within the agency. His own path to the agency started as a Minority Serving Institutions Intern, which he pursued while working toward his bachelor’s in computer information systems. Alexander is now working toward a master’s in cybersecurity to apply to his career at the FAA.
Inspired by his father, Cornell Collie, an 18-year manager in FAA Technical Operations, Alexander always wanted to pursue a career aviation. The senior Collie has fond memories of bringing his son, Alexander, into his office at FAA Headquarters 15 years ago. That early introduction to aviation began paving Alexander’s path to an aviation career, and now he is paying it forward in a big way.
“He would always play with my model airplanes,” recalled Cornell. “He was always asking me questions about what I do, about the [aviation] systems, what they look like and how they work… but I never knew he would follow in my footsteps.”
Now, it’s Alexander turn to do the same for the next generation. “These students are not just the future of the FAA but the future of our nation,” Alexander said, adding that he hopes they “stay curious and never give up” in pursing their career goals.
Robert Burke and Kate Knorr also presented on careers in flight and ground safety, environmental management, occupational safety and health, and more. They opened the doors for students to the unique and exciting work of FAA Flight Program Operations, the office responsible for ensuring the integrity of instrument flight approaches and includes teams of pilots, engineers, and mechanics.
“Students were interested to learn that there are more pathways to become a pilot than ever before, opening new avenues for those interested in flying,” Knorr said.
Concluding the event was an 11-member panel of FAA career professionals who helped students understand how they can apply their skills to aviation careers and shared their stories on how they were drawn to their particular careers in the aviation sector.
Daniel Hallex, a manager in FAA Technical Operations at Dulles International Airport, said that when he was a boy, his grandmother gifted him a book about space, autographed by Buzz Aldrin, which sparked his interest. “That, over time, led me to start thinking about aviation careers.” Hallex shared how he ultimately pursued a career in aviation maintenance, gaining invaluable skills with the West Virginia Air National Guard that he has applied at the FAA.
Jennifer Davis, an IT specialist for air traffic control, shared that she was inspired by her first manager at the FAA, who set the example as a strong and capable female in a majority-male workforce. “She gave me confidence that I can be successful in this career field, and she taught me that I do not have to know everything but know where to find the answers.”
Panel members also shared their leadership philosophies. Eva Pueschel, Manager of the National Air Space Operational Policy Team in Tech Ops, said her greatest attribute as a leader is “to empower my employees and encourage them to fully use their talents to solve a problem and think outside the box.” Pueschel traveled from Long Island, New York, to participate in the program as an investment in the students.
Ed Tirado, the National Operation Control Center Manager, told students he believes a good leader, “… should give their vision and allow their people to execute that vision by empowering them.”
The FAA continues to work with schools and inspire students to grow the future aviation workforce through its STEM Aviation and Space Education program. The program encompasses the Aviation Career Education Academy, science fairs, guest lectures, and hands-on workshops. Check out the STEM Aviation and Space Education website to learn more.
For the digital program book from the STEM event, click here.
