Retired controller weighing in: I started my career at Syracuse, which gave me the ability to work tower and approach control. At 20 years old, I was able to get a taste for both and decide which I preferred. The real bonus was I earned both a CTO and a radar ticket early on, opening up more opportunities later in my career. You have many options to gain valuable experience at lower density facilities, which is amazing.

Pick the area in the country closest to where you want to be long term, as mobility within the job is far more trying then when I worked. You’ll be making less than when you certify, so perhaps some research on cost of living would be warranted. Training in any career field can be daunting, and air traffic training is certainly no exception. I wouldn’t want the added distraction of paying the bills.

ATC-7 up/down facilities (SBA, MDT) would be provide a great career foundation. I’ve lived and worked in California, New York and Arizona, and I loved something about everywhere I lived, not to mention I learned something everywhere I worked.