Guiding the Skies: A Future in Air Traffic Control

Maggie Chang (’26), a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management with minors in Aviation Safety and Airline Operations, never imagined she would be guiding planes through crowded skies.

In high school, her favorite subject was meteorology. She envisioned a future in atmospheric science, knowing she wanted a career connected to aviation or weather. Air traffic control wasn’t on her radar.

That changed when she explored Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s website. While researching the Meteorology program, she discovered the Air Traffic Management degree and, for the first time, understood air traffic control as a career path.

“Learning about the program opened my eyes to a completely new field,” Chang said. “It made me realize this was something I could actually see myself doing.”

The more she learned, the more the field aligned with her strengths: multitasking, precise communication and staying calm in fast-paced environments. Her certainty grew during advanced lab courses at the Daytona Beach Campus, where high-fidelity simulations made managing real-world traffic feel tangible.

“That was when I knew this was the career I wanted,” she said. 

A Clear Route to the FAA

Chang said the university’s global reputation in aviation education influenced her decision, noting that air traffic control is highly specialized and industry recognition mattered.

The Daytona Beach Campus stood out for its participation in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

Traditionally, graduates must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), complete medical and background checks and attend the FAA Academy before they receive a facility assignment. Through the Enhanced AT-CTI pathway, many of those steps can be completed before graduation, allowing qualified students to bypass the FAA Academy and report directly to a facility.

“The opportunity aligned perfectly with my goals,” Chang said.

Building a 360-Degree View of Aviation

Chang describes the Air Traffic Management program as rigorous and supportive, with a close-knit community.

Because the program requires at least one minor, she broadened her expertise with minors in Airline Operations and Aviation Safety and earned an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate. She also completed her private pilot certificate with an instrument rating to better understand the flight deck perspective.

“Seeing operations from the flight deck, from dispatch and from the control facility gives me a much deeper perspective,” she said. “It will help me become a more well-rounded controller.”

Facility tours to locations such as Miami and Orlando further shaped her goals. After visiting the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in en route operations.

“Once I walked in, I just knew,” she said.

Guiding and Growing Together

One defining moment came after she completed the TRACON Advanced Lab course. A professor suggested Chang become a teaching assistant, a role that initially surprised her.

“I never saw myself as someone who would be teaching others,” she said.

She accepted, and guiding students through simulations strengthened her confidence and communication skills. She has now served as a teaching and lab assistant for three semesters.

Chang also credits fellow student Kyle Lam (’25), for mentorship, helping her navigate the FAA hiring process and prepare for the Enhanced AT-CTI pathway.

“We practiced in the lab together and went through the process side by side,” she said. “Having someone who understood the pressure and the goals made a huge difference.”

Balancing Excellence on and off the Radar

Chang is on track to graduate in three years with a 4.0 GPA, a Dispatcher Certificate, a private pilot license with an instrument rating and completion of her air traffic evaluation —achievements she credits to discipline and focus.

Embry-Riddle recently introduced a dedicated course to prepare students in the Enhanced AT-CTI for the FAA written exam and evaluation, giving her added confidence. “Embry-Riddle made the transition from student to future controller feel structured and realistic,” she said.

Outside the classroom and lab, she brings the same energy to the Embry-Riddle Cheerleading Team, one of the most defining parts of her college journey. The team cheers for basketball games and competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Nationals, where precision and accountability are essential.

“Being part of the team has strengthened my teamwork and time management skills,” Chang said. “I’m proud to be a student-athlete.”

Advice for Future Controllers

As she prepares for her FAA evaluation and eventual facility assignment, Chang encourages incoming students to approach the path intentionally.

“If you are pursuing Enhanced AT-CTI and want to go straight into a facility, start preparing early,” she said. She advises taking the ATSA seriously, using practice resources and not rushing the choice between terminal or en route tracks.

She also emphasizes understanding the broader aviation system. “Learn about the other side of the radio,” she said. “Understanding pilots, dispatch or safety gives you a broader perspective and ultimately makes you a better controller.”

What began as curiosity about weather has evolved into a clear vision of guiding aircraft safely through complex airspace. Through discipline, mentorship and courage, Chang gained the confidence to pursue her dream in a new way.

Soon, instead of studying the sky, she will help shape how others move through it, one calm and confident transmission at a time.