Today we’d like to introduce you to Jephter Augustin.
Jephter, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I immigrated to Florida in October 2007 with my family. Within weeks of settling down, we, my brothers and I, registered at the local community college to take ESOL classes.
The following spring I began to take classes towards a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. My goal then was to become a surgeon. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, my passion and interest in aviation grew. I had noticed firsthand how a small island in the Caribbean was connected to the rest of the world through aviation. I subsequently pursued and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in August 2013.
A few months after graduating college, I became a flight instructor and taught at Florida Flyers Flight Academy in Saint Augustine, Florida. My dream of becoming an airline pilot came to fruition in 2015, when I received a job offer from Mesa Airlines, as a First Officer on the Embraer 175, a mid-sized regional jet. I upgraded to Captain in fall 2017and flew all over the contiguous United States, Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas. I was recently offered and accepted a position as a First Officer with Alaska Airlines.
One of the most loved and respected brands in the airline industry. As you can imagine, I’m very excited to join the Alaska team. I’m currently going through training, learning the ins and outs of the new airplane I will be flying; the Boeing 737.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not always been smooth as you can imagine. The barriers of entry to the airline industry are many.
Some of the most notable ones in my case were the cost of training, lack of exposure to the industry and the language barrier. Like most college students of my generation to fund my college education, I relied on scholarships and student loans. My lack of exposure to the aviation industry and English not being my first language meant I had to work a little harder to make sense of this new environment I longed to be a part of.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the n/a story. Tell us more about the business.
Flying is the safest way to travel and it’s not by chance. As an airline pilot, I work alongside many aviation professionals to safely fly and connect people from all around the world. I’m proud to be part of an industry that will never cease to inspire people of all generations.
What sets me apart you ask? I’m a dreamer, and I act on my dreams.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I immigrated to this great country ten years ago, and when I look at how far I have come, I can only say that I’m blessed to be where I am.
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