Personal Narrative: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Entering a male dominated field churns my stomach. With roughly 5% of female pilots in the aviation department, it is a terrifying thought as a woman. I am left wondering what challenges I will face on the path to pursue a career in aviation. I fear the sexism, the wage gap, the snarky comments, saying women can’t become pilots. Although it is intimidating, I know that Embry—Riddle Aeronautical University is the best school for me to obtain my dream as an airline pilot. I will pursue my dream and not be stopped by the challenges that will come my way, because I am a woman, and I am unstoppable.

It first began, my love for aviation, when I took a solo trip to Missouri to visit my cousins when I was about eleven years old. Although I enjoyed

trips, I mostly enjoyed the airplane ride.

I flew with American Airlines. As I boarded the 737 Boeing aircraft, I took a quick peek inside the cockpit. I was drawn in by the hundreds of microscopic buttons and switches. I glanced at the pilots, both males in their mid-fifties and their hair was starting to gray. A deep feeling of fascination and curiosity arose in me. They were occupied and were getting ready to start the plane, and were pressing all sorts of buttons and were speaking in aviation terms that were incomprehensible. I envied them. They were able to power such a massive and beautiful piece of machinery, and I was jealous. I suddenly had the urge to go inside. As I walked inside the cock pit, the pilots turned around to see me, a tiny girl with a ridiculous big toothy grin on her face. I said with glee how, “One day I want to be a pilot just like you guys.” The pilots were welcoming, and allowed me to sit in the pilot’s seat. As they were explaining to me what the buttons would do, I was hardly listening because I couldn’t believe I was actually sitting in the cock pit. I kept my hands in my lap, as I was afraid to press any buttons that might make the plane self-destruct. After learning a few things about the cockpit, I eventually

scurried off to my window seat, which was right next to the wing, and the plane was ready for takeoff. The engines roared to life with a high pitched whine and suddenly we were zooming on the runway. I felt weird. There was a sensation of 1,000 butterflies fluttering in my stomach, not because I was nervous, but because I loved to fly. It was the same feeling a person gets before a rollercoaster is about to drop, or when someone is about to receive their first kiss. I was filled with excitement, and I knew that I had a strong desire to be in the sky for the rest of my life, and to become an airline pilot.
Eventually, I told my dream to my dad how I wanted to be a pilot.

He was shocked, and he was proud. He was excited that his little girl wanted to be a pilot, just like he wanted to be when he was younger. When my dad was young, he used to ride his bike to the Reno International Airport runway, and would watch the planes take off for hours while he sat in the grass and licked an ice cream cone. His love for aviation passed down to me. Recently, we visited the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. Needless to say, my dad and I were drooling, as we feasted our eyes on 787 dream liners and massive 747 planes. My dad and I definitely share a love for

aviation.
Years later, as a high school senior, I had no clue where I wanted to receive my flight training. I did research for hours, looking and searching for the perfect school. I had dreams go to a university and receive flight training at the same time. Most schools only offered flight training, and didn’t offer degrees in aviation. As I had a senior meeting to discuss my future with my counselor, she recommended Embry--Riddle Aeronautical University. I was unsure about the school, because the locations are definitely far from home. As I went home, I did my research, and I discovered that this was the school I had been looking for. With growing excitement, I looked at Embry – Riddle’s website and watched the aviation videos with amazement. They spend more time in the sky then in the classroom. I noticed in one of the videos that Embry--Riddle had female student pilots as well. I was shocked and I knew this was the best school for me, and I would feel like home at ERAU. Also, ERAU focuses on getting students to get the career they desire after graduation. I was definitely impressed .The staff looks supportive, class sizes are small, the campuses are beautiful, and they have flight training! I couldn’t ask for more. Labeled as “The Harvard of the Sky,” I know that I want to receive the best, and safest flight training in the country at Embry--Riddle. It is my dream to be an eagle at ERAU.
As previously mentioned, I would love to become an airline pilot after graduation. I want to build myself in the aviation industry to eventually work for a major airline, such as Delta. Also, another career I would be interested in is to become cargo pilot. During college, I want to learn as much as I can about aviation and obtain my bachelor’s degree in aviation science. After graduation, I want to have the knowledge and experience to know how to safely fly in any weather conditions. I want to fly as often as I can and gain as many flight hours as I can achieve. After graduation, I would like to fly international flights, and to travel while I’m young, and settle down when I’m older and fly within the United States.
Most importantly, I hope to become a role model for young women that we can achieve anything that we put our hearts to. I want to show young women that we are powerful. I want to teach women that we can enter male stereotypical jobs and perform the job just as well. No matter the difficulties that abrupt my path, I will continue to reach for my dream to become a pilot. I am a woman, I am determined, and I am proud to pursue a career in aviation.