In the days leading up to interviews last month with the aerospace industry giant, Lockheed-Martin, four, soon-to-be graduates of the Aircraft Structural Technology program told each other that they were well-prepared by instructors, rehearsing their confident approach.

Even with the reassurance, day-of nerves had the best of each of them until a pre-interview meeting with the company’s human resources department set them at ease. The department laid out expectations for what would be covered in the interview; all the candidates had to do was be calm and collected when they answered questions, and lean on what they had been taught.

John Hagler, Pratik Patel, Edtavious Carswell, and Rodney Beard walked out on cloud nine of sorts, comforted to have been offered employment with the company.

“Just relieved I got the job,” said Carswell on the emotion behind being offered employment.

Thinking back on the interview and the entire process, Hagler said he felt anxious, but that at the end, he knew he had done enough.

“I knew the answers to the interview questions,” Hagler said. “But, at times I got so, I don’t know, not blabbering, but trying to stay along certain lines. As it went on, I got a little more comfortable and I told him (the interviewer) what he needed to hear.”

It worked, 4-for-4.

As it stands, these four students will graduate in December then begin training with Lockheed-Martin in the weeks following. Their official status with the company will be defined at that time.

The plan, as they know it, is to be working aircraft assembly at the company’s facility in Marietta, Ga., at Dobbins Air Force Base, likely manufacturing the military’s new F-35 Joint Strike Force Fighter.

“You start out as an assembler but then, as you grow, you can always climb up,” Patel said.

Patel, like the rest of the students, now sees where this educational runway can lead them. But, that was not always the case.

“I didn’t see it coming,” said Hagler of the opportunity to work at a key company in the industry. “I know a few people that have been through the program and 85 to 95 percent, didn’t pursue or didn’t get a job doing this. “I am a third generation aircraft mechanic. I started this program because my grandfather retired with 35 years in this industry and I have an uncle that has been in it for 19 years. I’ve kind of been around planes my whole life”

Even with the experience in aircrafts or the technical knowledge these students developed through the AST program, they still needed a push to figure out where exactly it would lead them.

The idea that a career in AST could be realized through the program came after seeing a job posting in the hallway and encouragement to submit resumes from Paul Odea, program chair, aircraft structural technology division, and their current instructor in Aircraft Technical Publications, the final three credit hours they will need to graduate.

Odea said that employers typically – frequently even - pursue CGTC graduates in AST and similar programs, and that the field is primed for them. According to Odea, they have their pick of the lot, as companies from Gulfstream in Savannah to Haeco and Bombardier in Macon, Ga., come to CGTC looking.

“They had their choice,” Odea said of employment prospects. “Lockheed just put out the call saying, ‘Please if you have any graduates, send them our way.’”

Lockheed-Martin is a global security, innovation and aerospace company based out of Maryland that routinely contracts with federal government agencies. The company operates in four broad units of Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space Systems in 690 facilities and 50 states.

Before the encouragement to apply to Lockheed-Martin came from Odea, the light at the end of their respective, technical education tunnels was just a flash. Odea expressed that several students never bite on the chance that would ultimately see them put their education to work.

“Anyone who goes through this program who wants a job, can get one,” Odea said.  “Once they get a couple of years under their belt, they can go anywhere in the world.”

Each of these students are aware of the scope of opportunity working for Lockheed-Martin provides. With locations virtually everywhere in the United States and abroad, travel and career growth are achievable. For now, they are pleased that their time in the AST program and the courses that will help them be successful in achieving their goals.

“My goal is to move up the chain as much as possible,” said Beard, of plans in the career field. “From there, we’ll see what happens.