Alumni Spotlight: Joey Jaworski

Joey Jaworski graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2010 with a degree in Air Traffic Management and in 2013 with a Master of Science in Human Factors and Systems and he currently works for the FAA.

Discuss your career path since graduating from ERAU

I first graduated from Embry-Riddle in 2010 with my Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management. At that time, the FAA was on a hiring freeze with hiring controllers. Since I knew a job in ATC was a ways off, I decided to pursue a Master of Science in Aeronautics. However, only a semester into my program a few of my Professors approached me about joining the Human Factors program due to my interests in human-machine interface and psychology. I went on to attain a Master of Science in Human Factors and Systems and graduated again in 2013.

After graduating with my Human Factors degree, I didn’t have a job lined up and ATC still wasn’t hiring. I spent 7 months searching for a job before I was able to land my first job as a contractor for the FAA in Washington, DC. This position was a program management position, supporting FAA program managers on NextGen projects. My knowledge in Air Traffic Control became apparent to my new manager and I was assigned to support all of the NextGen Air Traffic programs my team was assigned to. Through this work, I was able to meet colleagues in the NextGen Human Factors Division. The contractor assigned to support the Human Factors Division was moving into a new position and it wasn’t long before I was promoted to a Human Factors Engineer and asked to be the new contractor supporting this division. While program management was not where I saw myself, it was a door that was opened to many other opportunities. While supporting the NextGen Human Factors Division, I was involved in several Human Factors research programs that were being conducted at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). Not only was I asked to manage these programs, but I was soon asked to provide technical reviews of reports submitted to the FAA. I supported the NextGen Human Factors Division for almost two years before I was hired by a separate contractor to directly support CAMI as a Human Factors Researcher. Through this work, I was able to conduct FAA–sponsored research by going into the field and collecting data to support the flight deck human factors research lab at CAMI. I stayed with CAMI for over 4 years before I applied to my current position as an FAA employee. I currently work for the FAA in Aircraft Certification as a Flight Test Engineer/Human Factors Specialist. This role allows me to apply the principles I learned throughout my Human Factors education to the certification of aircraft.

What three traits or skills have made you successful in your career?

Networking – This word is overplayed so much throughout college. However, I can say that without networking, I would not be where I am today. Each opportunity that presented itself did so because of two things: networking and hard work. In college I was heavily involved on campus in several organizations. This afforded me the opportunity to meet other students on campus and begin to build my network. It was my work in student organizations that landed me my first job in DC. A student who had graduated ahead of me didn’t know me very well personally, but knew my work ethic, delivered my resume to their manager. This is the only way I landed this job as it was extremely competitive, especially for those with no experience. However, knowing people is only half the equation. Hard work is key in a competitive environment. While I was not doing the work I trained for, I still put all my effort into what I did, which is what got me noticed by those who could help me.

Optimism – There were many times where I would ask, “why is no one hiring me,” “am I smart enough for this field,” “why is everyone else so successful,” “do I have the right skills.” Use those questions as energy to propel you toward your goal. You are only as successful as you allow yourself to be. Don’t focus on those around you, focus on your path.

Self-Awareness – Know your limits, but don’t be afraid to test the boundaries of those limits. In college, I found myself focused on one dream job. The perfect job, in the perfect location, with the perfect salary. During my job search, I figured out what I was willing to give up or negotiate on in the interim just to get my foot in the door. If you do this early, it will open more opportunities to you.

Can you discuss your campus involvement and how it helped you be successful in your career?

Being involved on campus is what fostered my growth both professionally and personally. I was involved in many organizations on campus including: Delta Upsilon (Founding President), Embry-Riddle Resident Student Association (ERRSA) – (President/Vice President), AcaFellas (Secretary/Treasurer), The Avion (News Editor/Chief Copy Editor), Air Traffic Control Organization (Member), Riddle Players (Member), and Psi Chi (Member). Additionally, during grad school, I became the Teaching Assistant to one of the Human Factors Professors. These opportunities not only allowed me to build a large network of colleagues, but also gave me the opportunity to become an efficient and effective leader. Lastly, these leadership and involvement opportunities look great on a resume. When you are just out of college and looking for entry-level positions, these opportunities stick out to hiring managers.

What advice do you have for students/alumni waiting to land their dream job?

Landing your dream job doesn’t have to come directly after graduating. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. There will be friends/colleagues around you that move right into a job, making a ton of money and it could leave you wondering, what about me?  The road I took was not directly into what I would consider my dream job, however I still got there. Know that you have put in the hard work to get your degree and be patient and optimistic that you will find something. Every opportunity is a door to other opportunities. You don’t know what lays beyond the door, unless you open it.