✈ How the worlds of Aircraft Engines and Barbies Fit Together? 💡
This post about a #Barbie #DreamGap video inspired me to tell my story of how aircraft engines and Barbies fit together. Quite well, I would say! As a 6-year-old who played soccer with boys for years and spent hours imagining worlds with my Barbies, I never envisioned a conventional path for myself.
Almost 30 years ago, I came home with a note about the school setting up an afterschool soccer team, and I immediately said, "I want to play." It marked the beginning of my family supporting me in pursuing what others defined as "a boy’s hobby," a choice not all parents allowed for their children. This very same mindset to go against the norms led me to a profession as an aircraft engine mechanic, a field also dominated by men 20 years ago, where I was often the only woman in the room.
At the beginning, it wasn’t easy. As a 19-year-old engine mechanic, the mission was clear. I was determined to show that I could do anything just as well as men can, and that we deserve the exact same opportunities as they do. My dedication was to breaking down the barriers and stereotypes. I vividly remember some of the defining moments, the feeling of those curious eyes on your back watching how you perform. But I can’t help but feel appreciation when I think of all the men who had the courage to see with their own eyes and make their own decisions.
This spirit of a continuous growth mindset guided me from being an aircraft engine mechanic to various organizational roles, ultimately ascending the corporate ladder as a Sales Director in the same field. Along this professional journey, I've been supported by so many incredible colleagues and leaders, most of them being men.
Now, leading my own venture, I blend my diverse experiences to foster growth and innovation in organizations. I advocate for inclusive environments where all voices are not just heard but are integral to informed decision-making. This isn't just about building a business; it's about shaping a way of doing business where diversity is the norm to embrace, not the exception.
When we dare to venture beyond the familiar, embracing diverse perspectives and giving opportunities, we don't just succeed – we revolutionize an inclusive world.
#Breakingbarriers #Womeninleadership #Innovation #Careerjourney #Soccer #Professionalgrowth #Womeninaviation #Diversity #Impactfulcollaboration
