Mark White has celebrated achieving his childhood dream of becoming a pilot after many years of earning degrees as an Engineer. He explains the journey he took and what helped him throughout his training...
Where did your aviation dream start?
I had always wanted to become a Pilot since he was 4 years old, and at the beginning of November 2022, after searching for a lot of pilot jobs, I officially became an airline pilot! This is the culmination of a dream that little 4 year old Mark had and never let go.
While growing up, my educational journey took me into engineering, as opposed to the direction of becoming a pilot.
I earned my first degree in 2017, graduating from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. I then proceeded to earn another Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Delaware.
After earning my second Bachelor’s degree, I proceeded to earn a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. After this, I worked as an Engineer with General Electic before deciding to resign to pursue my childhood dream.
I took a leap of faith in July and left my job as an engineer to pursue pilot jobs which is something I truly fell in love with over the years; flying, and I am now licensed to fly the the Embraer 145 for Piedmont Airlines!
How did you find the training?
These past 3 months of Airline training have been the perfect balance between challenge and reward. It is a wonderful thing to find something that you enjoy doing and have it be called ‘work.’ I have wanted this life for so long and it’s finally here.
I’m really at a loss for words and can’t help but reflect on this aviation journey; from my first lesson in 2019 until now, I am amazed by how much I have grown and learned as an aviator.
What would you say was the thing that carried you through your training?
My support system is strong, and through them I have leveraged the skills, motivation, and discipline required to get here today, I have my parents to thank, instructors, friends, mentors, students, and other colleagues in aviation from whom I have gained so much.
Next time you’re on an American Eagle connection flight, take a look inside the flight deck; I might be flying you to your destination!
Explore and apply for Pilot jobs here.
