Finding My Place in the Aviation World

Growing up I was not quite sure what I wanted to be.

I threw out ideas occasionally, but nothing made me excited. Not until I was at the beach with my friends and saw a little airplane fly over. I had seen planes fly over the beach hundreds of times as I lived in Maine as a small child and then moved to New Hampshire when I was 8. 

For some reason, though, this one caught my attention, and I asked my friends, “What if I was a pilot?”

They were excited by this job idea, and I realized, for the first time, I was too. From then on I researched pilot careers and aviation colleges. I settled on Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo and started in 2024.

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Since then, I have started working on my private pilot certificate and am nearing the end of the course. While in school I have been exposed to so many new parts of the aviation world and, while it can be overwhelming at times, it assures me that I have chosen the right career path for me. I have also joined multiple registered student organizations on campus, one of them being Women in Aviation International (WAI). 

This year, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 37th annual WAI Conference in Grapevine, Texas, from March 19-21. The event offered many different things to do and attend, like general sessions with keynote speakers, a huge exhibit hall with a variety of booths, and breakout sessions with focused topics.

I went with 17 other members of WMU’s WAI chapter. This is my second year being a member of WAI and WMU’s chapter, but this was my first time attending the conference. It was an overwhelming but life-changing experience that I would not trade for anything. 

On the first morning I attended the opening general session, which included a presentation from Nicole Malachowski, the first female Air Force Thunderbird pilot. Malachowski’s speech about feeling out of place during some of her career in the Air Force was truly inspiring for all of the young women watching, including myself. 

I then took on the exhibit hall, which featured booths from airlines and other aviation-related companies. As a sophomore in college, I have dipped my toes into the aviation industry, but this felt like being fully submerged. There were so many people to talk to and, as someone who is currently working on their PPL, I knew I was not yet hirable.

Despite that, the pilots and other industry professionals I approached were more than happy to talk to me about my future and their companies. I felt like the people there wanted me to succeed. As someone who knew nothing about aviation before going to college, this was very important to me. 

While in the exhibit hall on all three days, I talked to numerous pilots who gave me invaluable advice about being in the aviation industry.

On one occasion, an older female pilot opened a discussion with me and a new female airline pilot, and she prompted me to ask both of them questions about anything. She made me feel comfortable, and they both provided me with helpful answers to all of my questions.

On a separate occasion, another woman pilot talked with me and two other female college students, creating yet another open discussion for us to share our stories, as well as benefit from each other’s questions. Again, I felt I had gained some special insight into the industry and others’ experiences. 

There were also quite a few pilots attending the conference as participants, rather than with a booth or company. Even though they were there to further their own careers, I still had great conversations with some of them while walking around or waiting in line at booths.

One pilot waiting in line with me even gave me his contact information to ask questions about his airline or just about anything aviation related. While at times I felt inferior because I am a college student or because I do not have many flying hours, I realized this was all in my own head as I met many people who were glad I was there. 

I also had the opportunity to attend some breakout sessions for airlines and one about imposter syndrome and leadership. The airline sessions included presentations about their companies and Q&A at the end.

The other session, by Rebekah Seifer, offered insight on how to look at imposter syndrome from a new light and how to use our strengths when working with teams. She even provided us with a handout to answer some questions and determine our leadership skills. I found this session useful. 

While I am still at the beginning of my life in aviation, I had a truly amazing experience at the Women in Aviation International Conference. I encourage anyone interested in the industry to attend the next one and believe in yourself when it comes to networking.

As a college student who is excited about her future, I am so thankful to everyone who participated in making the conference so wonderful. As a young girl who did not think any of this was possible, I want to say thank you to everyone who showed me it is and continue to encourage others the same way.