What now for the class of 2016: Eric Simon

As the May 2016 graduates move into their careers, we are profiling a few and finding out their future plans and how they arrived at this point in their lives.

 

-----

 

Eric Simon, Shepherdsville, Kentucky

  • Ensign and Student Naval Flight Officer for U.S. Navy in Pensacola, Florida

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in professional flight

Job duties

I will be serving the nation and the Department of Defense for about 10 years minimum. My title upon graduating flight school will be Naval Flight Officer (NFO). NFOs operate the systems and weapons that allow a fighter jet to conduct its mission. In working with the pilot in front, I will be navigating, communicating and running the mission.

Purdue classes that helped Eric prepare for his job

The Naval ROTC courses best prepared me for the nuances of the military, but my Instrument and Multi-Engine flight courses have given me a leading edge over those students in naval aviation with no flight experience.

Other ways the college and/or Purdue provided preparation and assistance

Purdue is a diverse campus and in four years has exposed me to a wide variety of cultures. Such an immersion has enabled me the ability to quickly adapt to a new culture, a necessary skill in traveling the world.

Thanks go to:

  • My flight instructors throughout the four years have made an absolute impact on me, including Chad Guilford, Adam Baluch, Thomas Kieffer, Will Fraely, Duane Hoff, Ken Raver and Mike Connors. The knowledge they've provided me over the years will be carried forward for years to come.
  • My ROTC instructors; the staff at 3rd Street Market and Harrison Hall; my family; my wife, Jessica; and my friends in town and beyond have all sustained me in the ups and downs of the college experience.