Fun Five Q&A: Trevor Heath ’20

Why did you decide you wanted to pursue aviation as a career? What is your ultimate career goal? 

Though I am the first pilot in my family, I am not the first aviation professional. My grandfather worked for 31 years at RIC as chief of operations and held other roles. My father worked for the Virginia Air National Guard as a fire captain and training officer for 17 years, and my mother worked for a few years in airport payroll, also at RIC. I decided at a very young age that aviation is my passion, and I knew growing up that flying jets for a living was my ultimate goal. However, that initial idea was modified and expanded as I’ve gotten older. My current career plan is to continue flying professionally while climbing toward a management or operations position at an airport, or running my own private jet travel company. 

Tell us about one professor and one class that helped you grow while at Longwood.

I transferred into the communication studies program after my first semester at Longwood.

Professor Jeff Halliday not only helped my transition but also played an influential role in my four years at Longwood. He always checked in on my academic progress and my personal life. All of the comm studies faculty helped me learn to have confidence in both my realized and my unrealized personal strengths.

My favorite class as a student was Digital and Social Media Technology (COMM410) with Dr. Alec Hosterman. The class mixed in social media, public relations, building leadership skills and time management—you name it, we practiced it. The class was enjoyable and highly educational each day we met. 

How did Longwood help to prepare you for your new job?

Longwood and the communication studies department quite literally molded me into the professional I am today and helped me figure out what I wanted to do in life. From the classes I took, the personal relationships I built with professors and classmates, and the amazing opportunities I was afforded, Longwood helped me realize that I couldn’t just fly for a living. I wanted to do more. I decided to found a nonprofit, Young Aviators, Inc., to help other youth interested in aviation figure out their career path. That’s due to the citizen leadership mindset that is instilled in students from day one.

During my four years at Longwood, I developed interpersonal skills, leadership skills and the ability to work interdependently with others. Specifically, my comm studies classes taught me how to build a professional brand for myself as well as how to professionally network. I also got hands-on experience that led me to my current job. The summer before my senior year I did an internship at Dominion Aviation Services in the aircraft charter and flight school departments. I put together a plan for a large-scale public event to bring community members to the airport for a career day and worked on enhancing the company’s social media platforms and website. That internship led to me being offered a newly created position at the company.

What will you miss the most from D-hall? 

Ms. Betty, by far! She never seemed to have a bad day, and, whenever she did, you would never be able to tell. She made sure to always spread happiness and positivity to each person she interacted with on a daily basis. Overall, I will miss the sense of community and love that Longwood faculty and students spread to everyone on campus. I always felt welcomed and comfortable throughout my four years at Longwood.