About Amelia

Sophomore

Aviation Business & Aeronautics

**Major:** Aviation Business Administration and Aeronautics, concentration in Management
**Hometown:** Bend, OR
**Internships:** Mesa Airlines, Summer 2015
**Activities:** Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Airline Pilots Association (ALPA ACE), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Honors Student Association (HSA), Aviation Business Networking Club (ABNC), Women in Aviation, People Respecting Individual Diversity and Equality (PRIDE)
**Favorite thing to do in Prescott:** take pictures
**In my free time I…** Hiking, Camping, Exploring, Reading, Cooking, Baking Photography, Drawing, Music (guitar, violin, singing), Travelling

What Surprised Me Most About ERAU

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Amelia

Located in the Arizona desert is an unexpected beauty: the little city of Prescott and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Here it seems as though we have it all – brilliant and dedicated students, wonderful staff and faculty, good athletics, a truly convenient and ideal location, and the best views in Prescott – but really, the list goes on. Of all aspects of ERAU, I find that the one that has surprised me the most, and is by far my favorite part about this school, is the endless opportunities and countless resources that are provided to us as students.

In my year of being a student at Embry-Riddle, I have realized that one of the most important things is taking advantage of all of those opportunities given in order to be not only a successful student, but also a successful individual post-graduation. As I have seen so far, these opportunities are so kindly laid out right in front of us. So exactly what kind of opportunities am I speaking of? One such resource is the amazing staff and faculty. Because we attend a smaller university, it is much easier to get to know your professors and other staff on campus. Each person has an amazing and interesting story to tell, and with their stories come great networking connections from all over the aviation industry.

In this industry and especially on this campus, networking is one of the most important things you could ever do. Luckily, we have many networking opportunities. One of the biggest networking events occurs annually in the first week of October, during ERAU’s homecoming weekend, OctoberWest. This event is known as the career fair. Every fall, students dress up in their sharpest business casual outfits, perfect and print out copies of their resume, and have the extraordinary opportunity to talk to recruiters from some of the biggest aviation-related businesses. Many representatives from the airlines (Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, American Airlines, etc.) are in attendance for all those Aeronautical Science and Aeronautics students. The biggest engineering companies (Boeing, Honeywell, Raytheon), and even a recruiter from the FBI comes out to talk to our student body.

Another major resource is the vast amount of clubs and organizations that have been established on campus. There are far over 100 clubs and organizations that range from professional development organizations like the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airline Pilot Association (ALPA ACE) to lighter, more fun ones like Music Club, as well as the Blue Eagles Skydiving Team. One of the things I have learned is that in order to be successful in the future, you must begin NOW by learning how to properly balance school, a job, and a social life. Joining these clubs may be a fun and exciting way to pass the time, but they will also look better on a resume and show that you are more than just an intelligent student.

Although I haven’t been here for all that long, I’ve found that all of these opportunities can really make or break our career as a student and a professional. Since the beginning, I have been very involved on campus, joining many clubs (as well as greek life) and attending as many events as I can fit in my schedule. Because of this, I have reached new heights and I only hope that others can and will do the same.

Again, if any of you have questions, needs guidance, or just someone to talk to, I, along with my peers will be here with you along your journey to and at Embry-Riddle. Follow me and check out what is yet to come!

Prescott, the heart of Arizona is truly an amazing and beautiful place

Nature holds its own free shows during monsoon season

Even the surrounding nature can show promise and beauty

We’re also conveniently located a little over an hour away from other areas in Arizona such as Jerome (shown in picture), Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix.

OctoberWest weekend Fall 2014 mini aircraft display. My very first airshow!

Being a part of Alpha Sigma Tau has been a wonderful journey and has provided me with a fun, trustworthy group of girls I know I can always count on.

Sorority Bid Day Party

Being part of AAAE opened my eyes to new opportunities, sparked a love for Aviation Business, and has allowed me to do things I never would have imagined. In this picture, we flew to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for a private tour. As part of the tour, they closed down the center runway and let us walk on it and watch aircraft landing and departing on either side of us!

Soar With Me Through Sophomore Year!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Amelia

Hello all future Embry-Riddle students! My name is Amelia Cassidy and I come from the tiny, yet lovely city of Bend, Oregon. I am a current sophomore double majoring in Aviation Business Administration, with an area of concentration in Management, and Aeronautics, with a minor in Security Intelligence Studies. On campus I am part of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and various clubs such as the Airline Pilots Association – Aviation Collegiate Education (ALPA ACE) Club, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Women In Aviation, and the Honors Student Association. I originally came in as an Aeronautical Science major, however I switched majors second semester. After graduation, I hope to put both of my degrees to use and work either as an airport manager or in the business side of an airline. While I am already employed in the aviation industry, I plan on getting my Private Pilot’s License and all my ratings and, eventually, flying for Delta Airlines.

Although it may not seem like it, I actually do have free time! In that time, I love to cook and bake, run, swim, skateboard, hike, camp, explore, adventure, and travel. I am also very much into the arts. When I can, I love to sit and draw, as well as go out and take pictures (both film and DSLR). I also sing, play guitar, violin, and a bit of piano.

Even though I have only been here for a year, I feel as though I have done and accomplished so much! I have had the best experiences and have been exposed to once in a lifetime opportunities. Because of this, I very much look forward to my upcoming years, as well, and sharing my experiences with others. Feel free to ask me about anything, as I have had experience in all sorts of groups around campus! I’ll be more than willing to help out any student and give advice to the best of my abilities. I invite you to follow my blog. I will be posting all sorts of fun things and pictures throughout the year. I hope you enjoy what I have to post and again, don’t hesitate to ask questions or find me if you’re ever on campus.

Have a lovely day,
Amelia Cassidy

P.S. These are only a few basic pictures, there will be more to come!!

One of my drawings

Granite Mountain: The view from my Freshman year dorm.

AST – The sorority I’m in

The AST sisters!

Orientation leaders being silly during Fall 2015 Orientation Week

My friends and I took a road trip to L.A for MLK Weekend

Excited to be blogging for Embry-Riddle

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Amelia

Hello! I’m Amelia and I am excited to be blogging for Embry-Riddle. I hope you will come back often to see what it’s like to be a student here at the Prescott, AZ campus. I just love it and I know you will too. I will write more about me soon! You won’t want to miss it so follow me. As well, let me know if there is anything you want to know about. All of us bloggers would be happy to write about it.