U.S. Marines Col. Thomas Dono last week told students who study drone piloting that their interest in aviation will serve them well.
“Your exposure to the aerial system and aviation is going to be paramount as we start to come up with new and exciting ways to use the technology,” Dono said.
Attending the Wednesday presentation were members of the Fly Like a Girl program, which teaches girls from schools throughout the region how to fly drones.
Dono has had plenty of experience with aviation and technology in the Marine Corps, having logged over 3,000 hours of flight time and helping develop programs to optimize aerial robotics and autonomous systems.
He discussed the growing interest in aerospace and technologies from the younger generation as they come into the labor force. He also analyzed potential career opportunities in the job market’s private, public, and military sectors.
“There’s manned aviation, which I think is a phenomenal career choice, and speaking from personal experience, it’s incredibly fun, in both the military and civilian sectors,” Dono said.
But he also discussed the growing need for computer science and engineering careers, particularly given the development of artificial intelligence.
“How do we put a balance on (AI), in order to make sure it doesn’t become like the Terminator or Skydex or something,” Dono said.
Computer sciences and engineering majors are more important than ever before because they will have to control the new technology as it is developed, Dono said.
