Polk State Aerospace student secures job, serves as ambassador for Republic Airways

The Polk State College Aerospace Program has helped dozens of students soar into rewarding careers in the industry. In many cases, students already have jobs lined up when they graduate.

An Nguyen has already committed to Republic Airways. At 29, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences with a Professional Pilot concentration at Polk State.

“Having this in my back pocket allows me to focus on flight training,” Nguyen said. “Republic has a great safety record and that really appealed to me.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see one of our students secure a position with an airline before even graduating,” said Maria Jodoin, Polk State Program Manager for Aerospace. “Programs like this are a game-changer to our students. They give students a conditional job offer while still in school and also help bridge the gap between college and the aviation industry by providing a clear pathway for our graduates.”

Set to graduate during the Spring 2026 Semester, Nguyen serves as a cadet ambassador for the Indianapolis-based airline. The first Polk State student to hold that distinction for Republic, Nguyen is tasked with explaining the opportunities available with Republic Airways to other students in the program.

“An is truly a top-tier student who leads by example,” Jodoin added. “He consistently goes above and beyond in his coursework, always seeking out additional opportunities to deepen his understanding and to help support his peers along the way.”

Born in Vietnam, Nguyen moved to the Orlando area in 2009. After earning an Associate in Arts degree from Valencia College, Nguyen spent five years in the U.S. Air Force from 2016 to 2021. Working as a technician, Nguyen did electrical work on F-15 fighter jets, which piqued his interest in aviation. He learned about Polk State’s program through his military friends.

“What stood out about Polk State was it received (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) funding for flight training,” Nguyen reflected. “The entire Polk State staff was really helpful and quick to respond. The Veterans Services Office really helped as well and made it a smooth transition.”

With the goal of becoming a commercial pilot, Nguyen enrolled at Polk State for the Fall 2023 Semester. He already has a private pilot license and is working on earning his Certified Flight Instructor Instrument and Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

“Polk has every opportunity to get every license required for your Airline Transport Pilot,” Nguyen added. “The communication throughout the entire program has been stellar. Maria has been great about addressing any issues and has been a great person to get advice from.”

Since Polk State Aerospace launched in 2013, the program has experienced much success, including job placement for its graduates thanks to industry partnerships, valuable study abroad opportunities, and authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to save students thousands of dollars in flight-training hours. Nguyen also appreciates the bond that students and staff within the program share.

“It’s a small community, so everyone is really helpful,” Nguyen concluded. “We all study together and help each other out wherever we can. We know that the entire staff is there for us.”