MICC graduate John ‘21 has been fascinated with flying as long as he can remember. He traveled frequently with his family growing up. On his travels, which included trips to Denmark, London, and Mexico, he was amazed by the impressive size of 747 aircrafts and dreamed of working in aviation. As a teen growing up in Minnetrista, he took flight training and attended a weeklong Aviation Careers Camp that his guidance counselor at Groves Academy recommended.
After graduating from Groves, John pursued an education at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) but felt the support was not sufficient in assisting with his autism and ADHD needs. John found out about MICC through another Groves graduate and decided to apply! While at MICC, John worked on his independent living skills and enjoyed meeting other participants looking to achieve their own goals. He also shares that MICC taught him to advocate for himself, especially when he had a chance to speak at the Minnesota State Capitol during a rally for MICC in the rotunda. In his speech, he shared his experiences at MICC and his favorite quote from John Lennon, who also had learning differences: “You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are.”
In his senior year, John insisted on applying to jobs at the airport, believing aviation was the only career for him! He landed a job on the cabin cleaning crew for a Delta contractor. He was responsible for clearing out planes upon landing and preparing them for the next flight. He particularly enjoyed being able to help customers find lost items. John shares that he’s cleaned planes for the military, NFL teams, and even the Rolling Stones! Initially, he took Metro Transit and Ubers to get to work, but received his driver’s license in 2023, which then allowed him to become a High Lift Driver.
A High Lift Driver is a more complex role, which involves driving a supply vehicle next to the aircraft, then raising the platform within six inches of the door! It’s one of the most dangerous jobs, as it requires being so close to the aircraft. Once in place, the vehicle is secured and used to unload new blankets, food supplies, and more. John takes the risk of his job very seriously, “Anything can happen if you’re not paying attention.” He often asks his family not to tell him to stay safe, as they might jinx him! He feels it’s best not to worry too much and focus on the task at hand, “I’m not afraid of it, you have to have your head on straight.”
John enjoys working at the airport, citing the opportunity to grow his skills, “It’s a license to learn. I get to learn every day.” He also enjoys getting to know the other airport departments, including the airport police and fire departments, Delta maintenance teams, and the air traffic controllers. When on his breaks, he gets a 10% discount on his favorite concourse restaurants, including Wendy’s, Firehouse Subs, and the newly added Jimmy John’s. Working at the airport does require extra security steps to enter each day, but John says the team makes the staff entry areas efficient to pass through.
John held his High Lift Driver position until January 2026, when he decided it was time to return to school to achieve his goal to become an aircraft mechanic. He has re-joined MCTC for their aviation maintenance technician training program. The campus is situated next to the airport, where John spends four days a week learning and then completing his homework. He also aspires to return to flight training as well.
John currently lives in Edina, where he enjoys walking around Centennial Lakes Park when the weather is warm. He used to hate reading, but a reading program in high school helped him find his genre of books, and he now enjoys reading nonfiction and autobiographies. He also enjoys plane spotting, taking photos of planes he sees and keep track of what aircraft models they are and where they fly to next. This is a perfect hobby, as it’s something he can do on his breaks at work!
In Edina, John lives mere blocks from some of his friends from his Grove Academy days. They enjoy spending time together, including visiting old teachers and friends at Groves’ basketball games. John enjoys connecting with other MICC alumni annually at the Gala. He says, “I try to go every year. My favorite Gala was ‘Come Together’ post-Covid, it was great to see everyone in-person again.”
What’s next for John? When he graduates in 2027, the sky’s the limit! He hopes to return to Delta, saying he’s enjoyed working for them, “The company you work for is like your family.” Though he has improved his skills, he says his autism and ADHD diagnoses can be a daily struggle, sharing, “Autism is not like a jacket, I can’t just take it off.” But through MICC and his independent life, he has learned to succeed. What’s his favorite thing about living independently? “It’s creating your own schedule, going on your own adventures, at your own pace and risk.”
See more photos of John during his MICC days and at his airport job: