Alberto Quiroga’s path to NC State University was not a straightforward one. During high school, he was a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill fan set on attending the United States Air Force Academy.
Now, Quiroga, aerospace engineering ‘19, is working in a field he loves and is an enthusiastic champion of NC State — for its academics and sports — and has big dreams about giving back to the University through student mentorship and as a member of the College of Engineering’s Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB).
Born in the U.S. while his father was in the country on an engineering assignment, Quiroga spent most of his childhood in Monterrey, the largest city in Nuevo León, Mexico. In 2008, at 11 years old, he moved back to the U.S. to live with his brother, who settled in North Carolina after finishing his college degree. His parents wanted him to have better education opportunities.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without him,” he said. “And by offering that opportunity, he helped my parents a lot.”
With a love of airplanes, Quiroga maintained good grades and played sports throughout high school in preparation for the Air Force Academy. He was flown out for a visit and made it through his interview. But a few months later, he failed the health exam, and his application was denied.
Quiroga was born with an arachnoid cyst, which prevented his brain fluid from circulating throughout his body. When he was six, he had surgery to put in a shunt to release the fluid. This disqualified him from military service.
“I was really bummed because I wanted to give back,” he said. “Especially being a first-generation American and the son of immigrants, I’ve been given so many opportunities. I wanted to do something to give back to the country.”
…being a first-generation American and the son of immigrants, I’ve been given so many opportunities. I wanted to do something to give back to the country.
– Alberto Quiroga
Quiroga was heartbroken, but not defeated. Inspired by his pre-calculus teacher, an NC State alumna and his mentor, he decided to go to NC State for aerospace engineering.
Despite some academic challenges during his sophomore year, Quiroga persevered, in large part because of his friends and family. While he was in college, his brother became a U.S. citizen — a ceremony that brought Quiroga to tears. When he turned 21, he was able to apply for his parents to come to the U.S. to pursue citizenship, and they moved here in August 2019, shortly after he graduated and achieved his dream of working on airplanes.
Quiroga’s first job out of college focused on airplane interior design. He is currently a lead commodity specialist at Collins Aerospace, working on Pegasus, the next generation of helicopter rescue hoist. As an early-career engineer, he is passionate about mentoring current students and fellow young alumni through YAAB.
“A lot of people made a difference in my life,” he said. “That’s what drives me: to always give back where I can.”
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