Alumni Spotlight: Jacob Welch (’24)

For Jacob Welch, Embry-Riddle has always been a part of his life. "I'm actually an Eagle through my father," he shares. "While my dad was in the Army, and even after he got out, he was able to use Embry-Riddle Worldwide to earn his degree. Some of my earliest memories are of him writing papers for grad school." Naturally, when it came time for Jacob to choose a college, Embry-Riddle stood out. He began his undergraduate journey in Fall 2019 at the Daytona Beach campus.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jacob expanded his academic horizons by taking on minors in Human Factors and Aviation Safety. These studies led to a natural progression into the Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management (MSOSM) program, which he began in the summer of 2022 after graduating with his bachelor's degree that spring. His academic achievements and contributions to the campus community earned him the prestigious Outstanding Student Award for the 2023-2024 school year. In May 2024, he proudly graduated with his MSOSM.

While at Embry-Riddle, Jacob got an internship at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, where he worked with roller coasters and tackled the unique challenges of the entertainment industry. "I remember walking through the park and feeling incredibly lucky to work in an industry where the day-to-day operations are so diverse," he says. "You get more variety in safety jobs within entertainment, which keeps me refreshed and ready for new challenges every day."

His love for the industry continued to grow, and Jacob found himself back in Florida, taking on a  safety role at SeaWorld Orlando while finishing his degree. His dedication and expertise have since earned him a Senior Safety Specialist position, where he continues to thrive.

Jacob credits his MSOSM degree with preparing him for the complex and high-level conversations he encounters in his current role. "The program taught me how to communicate effectively, especially when it comes to making safety a priority in the workplace," he explains. "Soft skills are critical. Building relationships and knowing how to communicate—whether through thoughtful emails or quick decision-making with our security or medical teams—is how you make real change happen."

Today, Jacob oversees Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) training initiatives, helps develop corrective actions, and implements hazard controls for various operations at SeaWorld. "Much of my day is spent talking to people, researching, and training staff. My degree prepared me well for all of it, and I still refer back to my notes to navigate new challenges."

Advice for Future Eagles

Jacob believes his involvement on campus played a significant role in preparing him for the professional world. "Staying engaged with the campus community is key to understanding how classroom lessons translate into the workplace," he says. Whether it was founding the Center for Communication & Digital Media, tutoring peers at the Writing Center, or pushing for safer events with Touch-N-Go Productions and the Student Government Association, Jacob’s experiences at Embry-Riddle shaped his career path.

He encourages students to take full advantage of the opportunities available. "The hands-on learning and leadership roles you can find at Embry-Riddle will set you up for success in the real world. Don’t miss out!"