Finding Purpose with Embry-Riddle College of Business and ROTC

Growing up with an entrepreneurial spirit, Aviation Business Administration student  Woojae Sohn (’28) knew that he wanted to own his own business one day and incorporate his love for aviation. When considering his degree, Woojae looked to Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus.

"What really separated Embry-Riddle for me was the environment," he said. "I knew I wanted to pursue the Air Force, aviation and business, so having AFROTC, especially Detachment 157, along with the O’Maley College of Business and strong industry connections, made the university stand out even more."

Soaring with Flexjet

During Woojae's first year on campus, he and his father entered and won Flexjet’s Project LXi design competition, which tasked design professionals, creatives, aviation enthusiasts and students with creating an interior design concept for the LXi Cabin Collection™.

"The competition immediately stood out to me because my first-year mission was to try every single thing that felt impossible. I didn’t want to choose comfort over courage."

Working with his father, who has over 30 years of interior design experience, helped strengthen their relationship and gave Woojae a fulfilling challenge.

"The project also gave me a strong sense of purpose, since our design inspiration came from a family trip to South Carolina," he shared. "It became a great experience for me leading the vision, developing the concept and executing it while balancing school and ROTC."

Rooted in Service

Through Air Force ROTC, Woojae has made a commitment to service, both as a student and after graduation.

"Becoming an Air Force pilot has always been a major goal of mine. But ROTC has become much more than simply a pathway to flying," he shared. "It has challenged the way I lead, communicate, handle pressure and hold myself accountable."

Woojae has also used ROTC as an opportunity to apply the principles he has learned from his business program and marketing courses, volunteering for recruiting campaigns.

"I’ve worked with Air Force Recruiting Service on campaigns and events including the NASCAR Daytona 500 and the Hyundai Miami Air & Sea Show, and one of our largest projects, the Air Force Job Drop, generated more than 38 million views."

Ultimately, Woojae said that even more than reaching a wide audience, he has valued the ability and opportunity to influence people to act.

"What mattered more to me was seeing people actually reach out afterward asking how they could join AFROTC or pursue Air Force opportunities," he said. "That helped me understand the entire marketing funnel firsthand, from getting someone’s attention to creating genuine interest and eventually getting them to take action."

Over the summer, Woojae attended Field Training, which helped him understand the importance of strong leadership, especially in uncomfortable or tough situations.

"Leading other cadets under pressure showed me that people are always watching how you respond, especially after a mistake or setback," he said. "That is where credibility is really built."

Business, Marketing and Leadership

As a business student, Woojae has gotten involved with Embry-Riddle's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) as the marketing team lead and with the Student Government Association (SGA) as the director of marketing.

"Through CIE and now SGA, I’ve had to think about things like branding, how to reach and engage an audience, communication strategy and project management," he said. "In class, you learn the concepts and frameworks, but in these roles, I’ve had to put them into practice, see what works and then pivot when things don’t go as planned."

Woojae is also a part of the Alumni Mentorship Program, where he is paired with Alexandria Cogdell ('23) an Aviation Business Administration alumna who has helped him create a plan for professional development and future goals.

One accomplishment Woojae is most proud of is earning his Florida real estate license and becoming a licensed sales associate with eXp Realty while balancing academics, ROTC and other commitments.

"It pushed me to become more disciplined and gave me real-world exposure to sales, business and client relationships," he said.

In addition to winning $100,000 from Flexjet's Project LXi competition, Woojae has received the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society College Scholar Award and maintained a 4.0 GPA as an Embry-Riddle Honors student.

Looking to the Future

After graduation, Woojae will commission into the U.S. Air Force and hopes to earn a spot as a pilot, specifically as a part of the fighter pilot community.

"Beyond military service, I want to stay involved in aviation. I’m very interested in business, leadership, entrepreneurship and the aviation industry, so I could see myself eventually combining the leadership experience I gain in the military with the business education and industry experience I’ve developed at Embry Riddle," he said.

Woojae's best advice for fellow and future students is to take a leap of faith, even when feeling unsure or uncomfortable.

"My biggest advice would be to stop waiting until you feel completely ready. Being ready is not a feeling, it’s a choice," he said. "Some of the most important things that have happened to me came from applying for something, introducing myself to someone, entering a competition or taking an opportunity when I had no idea where it would lead."