As a multi-faceted sector of aviation, business aviation provides room for the growth of new skillsets and for an ever-rotating door for new opportunities, panelists of a 2021 virtual International Women in Aviation Conference session emphasized. During a Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) “Career Opportunities in the Business and Corporate Aviation Industry” session, the panelists advised that young professionals should network, differentiate their resumes, and be ready to say “yes” to those opportunities.
Ava Shubat, director of aviation and captain of Dasault Falcon 2000EX EASy for a Fortune 500 company, moderated the panel, which featured Anna Chadwick, an aircraft maintenance technician for Club Jet; Amanda Ferraro, a lead IS-BAO auditor, certified aviation manager, and Gulfstream G550/G450 captain; and Rucsandra Mihai, a corporate flight attendant, business aviation trainer, and vice president of WCA.
The panel focused on what makes the industry unique. Supporting more than five million jobs worldwide in everything from sales to maintenance to pilots, business aviation provides a sense of job security, they maintained. Ferraro, originally entering the industry as a pilot, talked about growing her skillset into becoming a consultant for safety management systems (SMS). Ferraro noted that while she has not been flying due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she has still been able to stay busy with SMS consulting work.
Chadwick added how business aviation “has the capability to adapt and overcome to the circumstances.” Chadwick’s previous company downsized due to Covid, but she was able to walk straight into her position at Club Jet because of her experience.
“Aviation is about people,” said Mihai, joining the other panelists in discussing the importance of networking, mentorship, and getting involved in organizations that can provide resources for one to achieve their goals.
Ferraro advised to “take every opportunity you have,” and Chadwick agreed. Chadwick recalled that when she was new at a previous company, Ferraro walked over to the maintenance hangar, introduced herself, and proceeded to invite Chadwick to a 99s conference with herself and another pilot. Since that experience, Chadwick and Ferraro became close acquaintances. In fact, Chadwick’s experience as a flight technician came after Ferraro gave her a call and encouraged her to interview.
With the industry’s current state due to Covid-19, Ferraro said young professionals should “seize the moment” and differentiate themselves from others. Everyone may have the same credentials, she said, but it is going to be up to the individual to get additional education and experiences that build a resume.
Mihai noted how important it is to take any job, even if it isn’t necessarily a dream job because, eventually, that job will lead to a dream job.
Panelists also noted the importance of applying for scholarships. Chadwick, having won 19 scholarships, stated that she “is living proof that scholarships get you to where [she] is today.” She added that oftentimes, organizations do not even have enough applicants for the scholarships they provide.
