You don't even need to be an 'enthusiast'.
Back in 1998 when I joined I'd say 10% of student ATCOs were aeroplane geeks, with another 10-20% with some sort of pre-NATS interest in aviation.
Having been involved in interviewing up until two years ago, that proportion has decreased, and yet people still validate.
I know plenty of good ATCOs who get bored very easily. Me being one of them. The trick is to know it yourself and do something about it.
