MSI Internship Helped Shape this Controller’s Career
After an eye-opening introduction to aviation in college, Jose Castellanos has found a future as an FAA controller.
By Jim Tise, FAA
Some people are drawn to aviation early in their lives. Others find a career in the industry by chance. Still others are lucky enough to have their careers molded for them.
Jose Castellanos fits the latter description. He is a developmental controller in training at the San Juan Tower in Puerto Rico.
“It’s been great,” said Castellanos. “I was asking around and everybody said good things about San Juan. Everything they’ve said has been on point and true.” In particular, Castellanos praised his coworkers and trainers. “They care a lot,” he explained. “They want you to succeed. It’s a lot of people’s first facility coming out of the FAA Training Academy. They want you to have a good experience,” he added.
“Jose is always attentive and pays a lot of attention to details,” said Hector Montanez, operations supervisor at the San Juan Tower. “He is always willing, receptive to feedback, collaborative and likes to work as a team, key qualities of an air traffic controller,” he added.
Castellanos didn’t really know anything about the FAA or air traffic control while he was attending college at Florida International University in Miami. One day while he was researching internships on the Handshake internship site, he discovered the FAA’s Minority Serving Institution (MSI) internship program.
“I thought, ‘Why not?’” recalled Castellanos. “So I applied to see what might happen. Thankfully, I got the call.”
For a year Castellanos worked at the FAA’s Miami Air Traffic Control District Office, where he helped with administrative tasks involving air traffic control training. He also served on a cohort project dealing with runway safety issues. He and his fellow interns looked at runway incursions and causes, and developed maps designating “hot spots” at airports where runway incidents were prevalent.
His visits to the Miami International Airport Tower proved a turning point for him.
“Just seeing the tower and seeing the view and seeing the controllers work with the planes was fascinating,” Castellanos said. “I thought it was something I could do as a career.”
Montanez said Castellanos’ professional qualities have helped him to be easily certified. “He is currently training in local control working very well and at his current pace he should be done with training soon. I have no doubts that Jose will achieve anything he proposes within the agency,” Montanez added.
Looking back now, Castellanos believes the MSI internship was vital to his future. “That was the moment where I chose the career I wanted to pursue. It’s all thanks to that program. It opened my eyes to a new career field. I didn’t know I was going to become a controller until I did the intern program. I give thanks to the people I’ve worked with at the internship program. They’ve molded me into what I’ve become.”
Castellanos believes other students could benefit from participating in the MSI program. “It’s not just controlling,” he noted. “There’s loads of other jobs and opportunities at the FAA. It’s a great way to dip your feet into the whole aviation world.”
The MSI internship program is open to all eligible undergraduate and graduate college students attending an accredited college or university.
During this internship, students are provided an opportunity to capitalize on their academic studies and gain meaningful work experience and developmental activities. Additionally, students gain professional knowledge, expertise, and practical experience to chart their own career paths and make informed career choices.
Learn more about the MSI program and how to apply.
