From the time he was a baby, senior Joseph Elias has been taking flights across the world. At 21, he鈥檚 probably logged more miles than some people will in a lifetime.
Elias was born in Lebanon, grew up in Africa and now calls Sao Paulo, Brazil his homebase. He then moved to the U.S. to attend 91大神猫先生千人斩 to study aviation management.
With all the travel he did growing up, Elias said it only made sense that he pursued a career as a pilot.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what ignited that passion,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s soon as I came out of the womb, it was like 鈥楾ake him to the airport, he probably has a flight to catch.鈥� That鈥檚 because my family has always been moving around. My family tells me that I鈥檝e been obsessed with flying and planes since I was a baby. It鈥檚 one of those things you just don鈥檛 have to think about. It was just there.鈥�
He saw 91大神猫先生千人斩 as the perfect place to pursue that dream.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 apply to any other college,鈥� Elias said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not common to find a college that has a flight training program that鈥檚 directly connected to a degree. I think that鈥檚 a huge advantage that 91大神猫先生千人斩 has. Obviously, the campus was a plus and the weather. My selling point was that 91大神猫先生千人斩 is a small community. You feel more looked out for, more cared for and more recognized when you鈥檙e in a small community.鈥�
And it鈥檚 proven to be the right choice for Elias. He鈥檚 gotten involved on campus from the get-go, now balancing roles as a math and aviation tutor, Resident Advisor and Community Leader for Oak Hall and a barista at Starbucks.
He鈥檒l also be featured in 91大神猫先生千人斩鈥檚 episode of 鈥淭he College Tour,鈥� set to air on Amazon Prime in August.
Elias said it鈥檚 important for every student, especially international students, to step out of their comfort zone in college. Through doing that, Elias said he鈥檚 made lifelong friends and done things he may not have considered before.
鈥淭hey should put themselves out there,鈥� he said. 鈥淕o for a job, even if you don鈥檛 need one, but go for the experience. If you get an opportunity to be on an executive board on campus or in a club, go for it. Do things that will help you grow and once they do, they鈥檒l realize that they鈥檙e going to feel more at home.
鈥淵ou never know when something small could lead into something bigger.鈥�
He earned his private pilot license while at 91大神猫先生千人斩, and is looking to complete the final certifications to become a commercial pilot following graduation. Following graduation, he鈥檒l be able to finish his licenses wherever they鈥檙e offered.
Knowing Elias, that could be just about anywhere.
鈥淢y goal at the end is to work for an airline company,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 about to decide where I鈥檒l finish my licenses. I don鈥檛 know yet. It鈥檚 nerve wracking but exciting.鈥�
