Air Force Veteran Shaina Kesti Pursues Robotics to Help Veterans

Shaina Kesti is trading her Air Force uniform for a computer engineering degree at Florida Polytechnic University.

After more than eight years in the U.S. Air Force, the freshman intends to use robotics to help veterans regain mobility and independence.

Kesti’s interest in prosthetic technology and limb recovery stems from her own medical journey. Following hip surgery, she underwent physical therapy through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she observed how providers and patients manage recovery.

“I want to do something that helps people and is also close to home,” Kesti said, noting that her military background makes the pursuit feel natural.

Florida Polytechnic University reported that Kesti’s Air Force career was global in scope. Originally from Mount Vernon, Washington, she served in Germany with a special operations unit.

While her primary responsibilities involved computer systems and personnel records, her assignments included specialized training. She learned to build an F-16 bomb and trained alongside Pararescue airmen.

Despite the technical nature of her duties, Kesti found the most value in supporting her colleagues. “The job duties were OK, but I really liked it because you got to help everyone in the Air Force,” Kesti said.

A medical discharge following her hip surgery prompted Kesti to relocate to Florida. She moved to be near a couple who had become like family to her since she was 21.

The transition to higher education required changing her lifestyle. Having graduated from high school in 2014, Kesti is now balancing five academic classes, a departure from the singular focus of a full-time job.

Her previous experience with military technology has assisted with the technical aspects of her studies, but the shift in mindset proved more challenging. In the military, she noted, the standard is often set at perfection.

Her father provided a different perspective on the rigors of university life, suggesting that she is attending school to learn rather than to demonstrate existing knowledge. Kesti has since adopted a more flexible approach to setbacks.

“You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s how you learn,” Kesti said, explaining that she now focuses on how to improve when a grade does not meet her expectations.

As Veterans Day approaches, Kesti is reflecting on the complexities of service, including the people she served with, family members in the military, and friends lost in combat. “It is a day to remember the good, the bad and the ugly, but also remember the good that has come out of it,” she said.

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