Dual Enrollment at Embry‑Riddle Fuels Aspiring Aviator's Pursuit of Dream Career

For Alexander White, the unparalleled “sensation of freedom and fulfillment” he gets from flying an airplane is all the motivation he needs to pursue a career on the flight deck.

And to accelerate that journey as much as possible, the 17-year-old native of Port St. Lucie, Florida, turned to Embry‑Riddle’s Dual Enrollment program.

Maximum Flexibility, Fully Online

The online classes at the Worldwide Campus provide students the opportunity to participate in nine-week asynchronous courses, with seven terms available throughout the year to maximize flexibility.

Embry‑Riddle’s program offers an enriching experience with more than 80 courses available. Alexander said that, for him, dual enrollment was “ideal because it offered a solution to manage my high school workload, earn college credits and make progress toward a degree.”

Alexander, who was home-schooled and likes to play guitar and hang out at the beach when he isn’t flying or studying, graduated high school in May and also celebrated earning his Associate of Science in Aeronautics at Embry‑Riddle.

Dual Enrollment Gets Students Ahead of the Game

That degree paves the way for him to start the fall 2024 term on the Daytona Beach Campus as a sophomore. Alexander says dual enrollment has already “familiarized me with college-level coursework.”

Once on campus, he plans to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot by continuing his flight training and aviation studies in Embry‑Riddle’s renowned B.S. in Aeronautical Science program.

“Aviation is where my passion lies,” Alexander said. “The prospect of a career in this field is incredibly exciting.”

A Passion for STEM Leads to the Sky

Alexander has been thinking about the prospect for a while. He recalls being fascinated by STEM subjects when he was younger, and his introduction to the wonders of aviation began when he joined the Civil Air Patrol.

“Flying intrigued me because of its novelty and excitement,” he said. “That motivated me to pursue it as a career path.”

Growing up just a few hours south of Daytona Beach, Alexander was aware of Embry‑Riddle and jumped at the chance to leverage the advantages dual enrollment offers, especially for aspiring pilots.

What Are Some Other Benefits of Dual Enrollment?

With his associate degree in hand and his bachelor’s in sight, Alexander can now fully focus on the serious business of becoming a well-rounded aviator. Looking back, he’s grateful he chose the course he did.

“My experience with Dual Enrollment has been excellent,” he said, referring to the support provided by Embry‑Riddle’s expert team of advisors and faculty members with longstanding industry experience and connections.

Alexander said the program “has provided me with unique opportunities and allowed me to balance high school and college responsibilities effectively.” Beyond vital experience in time management and priority juggling, he found another critical takeaway that is helping him move forward.

“One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is the importance of hard work,” he said. “Dual enrollment has reinforced the idea that dedication and effort can yield significant rewards and pushed me to strive for excellence.”

As he gets ready for the next leg of his journey toward a seat on the flight deck, Alexander feels excited. He also feels prepared.