Preparing to Lead: William Murphy’s Aviation Management Approach
For William Murphy, taking advantage of the ancillary opportunities available through the WMU College of Aviation is just as important as the insights gained by completing its academic and technical courses.
The junior majoring in aviation technical operations symbolizes that perspective. Check out these affiliations:
- American Association of Airport Executives, the WMU chapter's current president
- ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) ACE, representing it as a member of the Western Student Association
- WMU Skydive Broncos -- a former treasurer of the organization
- Alpha Eta Rho fraternity
- WMU Aviation Student Council
- WMU Business Aviation Club
Why does the native of Farmington Hills, Mich. do it? "I got involved to gain leadership experience, to build industry connections, and actively prepare for a career in aviation," he says about accomplishing all that. . . and in spades. By the way, Murphy has also logged time as a laboratory assistant supporting aviation classrooms and equipment.
"These experiences have elevated my time at WMU," he says, "by allowing me to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. To me, this is important because aviation is a hands-on industry that requires both technical knowledge and leadership ability."
To Murphy's way of thinking, these activities have nurtured his knowledge of "leadership, financial management, communications and operational skills, all of which directly apply to a career in aviation technology and in airport operations." A bonus is the connections he's making with aviation professionals.
He's a 2023 graduate of North Farmington High School where he took his share of advanced-placement courses in macroeconomics, language, U. S. and world history, and computer science to prepare him for the academic rigors of higher education.
Raised in the 83,000-population suburb northwest of Detroit, Murphy says he was attracted to aviation as a career because "I have always had a strong interest in aircraft and how they operate." All that guided him toward Western -- an attraction spawned by the reputation of its aviation program, its connections to the industry, and "hands-on learning opportunities."
"WMU stood out because of the comprehension of the program," he says, "along with solid access to hands-on technical training, strong student organizations, and the chance to get involved in leadership roles early on."
Showing his willingness for out-of-the-box thinking, Murphy rates an art class as his favorite non-aviation experience. "It taught me how to create unique and creative paint designs," he says. "I found it especially interesting because those skills can be applied to aircraft-paint schemes, connecting creativity to aviation."
Complementing his personal growth during these Kalamazoo years is his love of skydiving, attending air shows, chasing that little white pellet around on a golf course, and living and dying with the Bronco hockey team as a member of the Lawson Lunatics. Of course, any of these when he's not involved with his myriads of aviation-related organizations.
Once his Western days are in the rear-view mirror, Murphy sees himself working in either a commercial or corporate aviation company as a certified A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic.
But his dream job, he says, is to complete a unique level of extensive training, and hope that he never has to use it. He would like his resume to show certification in aircraft rescue and firefighting.