Air traffic controller Marcus Miller shares his path from college to FAA en route center

Marcus Miller, an air traffic controller at an FAA en route center, discussed his career journey on the Aviation Start podcast hosted by Jamail Larkins, noting his early interest in flight simulation, a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater, and eventual enrollment in the FAA’s Collegiate Training Initiative at LeTourneau University before being hired after five applications.

He explained that while military controllers can transition directly, civilian applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma and a year of work experience, and that CTI graduates bypass the Air Traffic Basics course but still complete tower, terminal or en route training at the FAA Academy.