Patricia Palacios Anez’s Dreams of Aviation Led Her to an Industry Internship

Patricia (Patty) Palacios Anez (’26) is ambitious and resilient, with a lifelong passion for Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University and the aviation industry. As a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and minors in Supply Chain Management and Psychology, Palacios has always been driven to succeed, and she is already making significant strides toward her professional dreams, fueled by both her family legacy and personal drive.

Her Roots Run Deep

The foundation for Palacios’ journey was laid early on. Growing up, Palacios spent countless hours around airplanes, maintenance hangars and aviation professionals, an environment that shaped her love for the industry from a young age. Her father often spoke about the benefits of an Embry‑Riddle education, and when her family relocated to the United States, the dream of attending Embry‑Riddle finally felt within reach.

For Palacios, choosing the Aviation Business Administration program was a natural fit — a way to equip herself with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the aviation field. The O’Maley College of Business (COB) provides more than just academic rigor. Palacios credits the university with giving her both the academic and professional foundation to thrive.

The Power of Preparation

The COB professors on the Daytona Beach Campus helped Palacios refine her resume and interview skills, ensuring she was ready for intern and employment opportunities. Courses such as Business Policy, Quality Management and Excel Applications proved invaluable, equipping her with technical and analytical skills that she would soon put to the test.

“Beyond the classroom, Embry‑Riddle has prepared us through countless networking opportunities: in-house events, company engagements, United Week, Boeing Week, guest speakers and career expos,” she said. “Each event helped me grow more confident in myself, sharpen my communication skills and build a professional network that has led to meaningful connections, internships, scholarships and, hopefully, full-time opportunities.”

Finding the Right Fit

The journey to her summer internship was guided by initiative and the strength of community ties. Rather than relying on job boards, Palacios leveraged her connections in Miami’s aviation community — a network she had built growing up around industry professionals and by staying in touch with local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations and suppliers.

Through this personal networking, she learned about an opportunity at A&P Plus Structures in Miami Gardens, Florida. “I was drawn to A&P Plus Structures because it offered the opportunity to combine my interest in business operations with my curiosity for the technical side of aviation maintenance,” she said. “I liked that the company values precision, compliance and teamwork. All of which align perfectly with my own work ethic and long-term goals.”

A Summer in Quality Control

As a quality control intern, Palacios’ days were filled with a dynamic mix of responsibilities. “A typical day involved reviewing ongoing repair work orders, checking inspection logs, performing airworthiness directive (AD) searches and maintaining company policies and procedures up to date,” she said. “Once a month, I managed internal audits to ensure all departments met compliance standards.”

A standout moment came when she participated in the teardown and tagging of multiple thrust reversers — a meticulous process essential for certifying and preparing parts for sale. “It was challenging but rewarding to see the level of precision and documentation that goes into ensuring every part meets the highest standards.”

Reflection and Future Vision

Throughout her internship, Palacios  became adept at navigating industry software, such as Smart145 and AirbusWorld. Perhaps most importantly, she cultivated adaptability and teamwork.

Her Embry‑Riddle classes in Operations Management and Supply Chain Management helped her understand how processes, people and systems interconnect to maintain efficiency and effectiveness. Each day, she applied what she had learned in class to manage documentation, track progress and support compliance audits.

More than just a summer job, the internship was a transformative experience that deepened her understanding of the aviation industry. Palacios learned that continuous improvement and collaboration are the cornerstones of aviation maintenance — every process, no matter how small, has an impact on quality and safety.

Building on Success

Palacios’ time at Embry‑Riddle and her connection with mentors like Sloane Churchill (M.S. in Aviation Finance, '19), director for engines and inventory valuations at MBA Aviation, played pivotal roles in her professional development. Churchill’s guidance in aviation finance and strategy, along with encouragement to take initiative, helped Palacios  build confidence in her career decisions.

Her internship experience aligned perfectly with the College of Business’s mission to prepare future-ready professionals. By bridging theory and practice, applying critical thinking and gaining hands-on experience, Palacios is poised to enter the industry as a confident and capable leader.