Alumni Spotlight: Emily Junkin (’24)

Emily Junkin, a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Master in Occupational Safety Management program, has forged an impressive career in safety and risk management. Her academic journey began in 2017 at the University of South Florida (USF), where she earned a degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology, graduating in 2020.

Growing up in Central Florida, Emily always had a deep love for theme parks and a passion for helping others. Like many, she initially assumed the medical field would be the best fit to fulfill her desire to make a difference. However, after witnessing increased media attention on worker fatalities, she pivoted to occupational safety. While USF offered a safety program, it was during a search for advanced opportunities that she discovered Embry-Riddle’s Occupational Safety Management program—a perfect match for her goals and her desire to stay close to home in Volusia County.

Emily’s experience at Embry-Riddle proved invaluable. She credits the program’s dedicated coordinators and a close-knit student community for helping her secure her current role at SeaWorld. "I even work alongside a classmate, which speaks to the strong connections Embry-Riddle fosters," she says. The program equipped her with the skills necessary for her job, and she would gladly pursue it again due to its ongoing impact on her career.

A Day in the Life at SeaWorld

As a Safety and Risk Specialist at SeaWorld, Emily's role involves investigating incidents involving both employees (referred to as Ambassadors) and guests. She is responsible for identifying the root causes of incidents and suggesting corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. This hands-on job keeps her active, often requiring her to quickly traverse the park to respond to urgent situations.

Despite the fast pace, Emily embraces the unique environment. “There’s no such thing as a typical day at SeaWorld,” she explains, especially with events like Halloween on the horizon. Her training at Embry-Riddle has prepared her well, enabling her to apply safety standards and problem-solving skills in real-time.

Emily Junkin’s journey from health sciences to theme park safety exemplifies the diverse career paths possible with the right education and passion for making a difference.