Optimizing Options and Opportunities
By Susan K. Parson, FAA Safety Briefing Editor
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” — John Crosby
Aviation is a big world. Even for those who have a sharply focused aviation goal, it’s not always easy to navigate the many avenues to aviation. There is great value in having a mentor to help illuminate the many pathways and possibilities. Like the original Mentor, a character in The Odyssey, a modern-day mentor is a trusted advisor who provides one-to-one support, encouragement, and advice.
If you don’t know where or how to start with encouraging STEM education as a pathway to aviation, the FAA’s STEM Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) program offers support.
One of the mentor’s most important functions is to share experience and insights that can help a less-experienced colleague learn faster and make fewer mistakes along the way. If you are an experienced pilot, you can contribute by being a mentor to others. As Khalil Gibran offers in The Prophet: the teacher/mentor “gives not of his wisdom, but rather of his faith and his lovingness … If he is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.” By offering a sounding board, a fresh perspective, and simple encouragement to help build confidence, the mentor can play a vital role in helping someone discern their own pathways.
Mentoring certainly involves sharing your own experience and ideas. But if you don’t quite know where or how to start with encouraging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education as a pathway to aviation, the FAA’s STEM Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) program offers support — both directly to educators and students, but also to those who want some ideas for mentoring.
One of the most important things you can convey is that aviation career opportunities go far beyond piloting an aircraft or a drone. STEM education can provide the foundation for a wide range of aviation job options, such as:
🎙️ Air Traffic Control Specialist — promote airplane safety by directing the movement of air traffic
⚡ Electrician — install, maintain, and repair aircraft electrical systems
👨🏿🔬 Engineer — design and develop aircraft and related aviation/aerospace technologies
✈️ Flight Attendant — travel the world and ensure the safety and comfort of airplane passengers
🧳 Ground Crew Member — support many aspects of the aircraft while it’s on the runway
🔧 Mechanic — inspect, diagnose, and repair aircraft
👩🏽✈️ Pilot — fly aircraft (including drones) for pleasure, recreation, or career
🛡️ Safety Inspector — develop and administer aircraft safety standards
🎫 Sales and Service Representative — assist airline passengers with flight travel details
💻 Technical Operations Specialist — manage various technical aspects of aircraft operations
For curriculum and activity resources, the AVSED site’s K-12 curriculum (link below) includes ideas and examples of various aviation-themed lessons, which can serve as a guide and resource for educators, parents, and mentors. These lessons and activities introduce students to STEM using aviation-based topics.
Along with its partners, the FAA is proud to offer the STEM AVSED program to students and educators worldwide. Join us in using STEM to help prepare and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals for aviation and aerospace careers!
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Susan K. Parson (susan.parson@faa.gov) is editor of FAA Safety Briefing and a Special Assistant in the FAA’s Flight Standards Service. She is a general aviation pilot and flight instructor.
