Uplink

Kathryn B. Creedy: We're Promoting Aviation & Aerospace Careers All Wrong.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Uplink, we explore the dynamic world of aviation and aerospace through the lens of Kathryn B. Creedy, a distinguished aviation journalist and passionate advocate for workforce development in these industries. With decades of experience covering every facet of commercial and business aviation, Kathryn brings a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the aviation/aerospace workforce today. Kathryn opens up about her work with Future Aviation/Aerospace Workforce News, highlighting her efforts to bridge the gap between the industry and potential future professionals. She discusses the importance of educating career counselors and students about the vast opportunities available in aviation and aerospace, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to attract more women and minorities into these fields. Delving into her initiatives, Kathryn shares her creation of extensive lists of women executives in aviation, defense, and aerospace, along with a comprehensive catalog of education programs to propel students into rewarding careers. Her dedication to using every available resource, including the calendar, to promote career opportunities is inspiring and enlightening. Her passion for making aviation and aerospace careers more accessible and appealing to a diverse audience shines through as she offers insights into the tools needed for navigating today's workplace. Listeners will also taste Kathryn's prolific writing career, which has contributed to Forbes Online, Smithsonian's Air & Space Magazine, and many other prestigious publications. Her experiences as the first North American editor/senior analyst for CAPA and her wide-ranging bylines provide a backdrop to her deep understanding of the industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of aviation and aerospace, diversity in STEM fields, and the evolving landscape of industry workforces. Kathryn B. Creedy's expert insights and unwavering dedication to workforce development offer valuable lessons for professionals, educators, and students alike, highlighting the importance of passion, perseverance, and innovation in shaping the future of aviation and aerospace careers. Join us on Uplink for an enlightening discussion with Kathryn, where we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and transformative potential of the aviation/aerospace workforce.

Episode Notes

Key topics covered include:

Early Exposure and Education

• Importance of Early Exposure: Kathryn emphasizes the significance of introducing aviation and aerospace careers to children at a young age, noting her own passion for aviation beginning at age 5. She suggests that the industry is currently missing opportunities by not targeting younger demographics and highlights the need for outreach to elementary and middle school students.
• Integrating Aviation Concepts into Curriculum: Kathryn mentions the existence of numerous programs and organizations, such as the Space Foundation and AOPA Foundation, that offer aviation-related educational content. She advocates for making school officials aware of these resources to foster an aviation/aerospace education ecosystem.

Role of Parents, Guardians, and Educators

• Addressing Lack of Awareness: She suggests collaborating with career counselor software companies to include more aviation careers in their databases, thereby improving awareness among school counselors.
• Industry and Educational Collaboration: Kathryn stresses the importance of industry involvement with educational institutions to promote aviation careers, highlighting the potential for software companies to play a key role in this effort.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Creating an Inclusive Environment: Kathryn discusses the need to tackle cultural issues within the aviation industry, including discrimination, harassment, and the underrepresentation of women and minorities. She calls for a collective effort to support and protect individuals facing such challenges.
• Combatting Gender Bias and Discrimination: She emphasizes changing the industry's culture to prevent retaliation against those who report misconduct and to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for everyone.

Mentoring and Support

• Designing Effective Mentoring Programs: Kathryn highlights the importance of mentorship in supporting women and girls interested in aviation/aerospace careers. She advocates for building connections between established professionals and newcomers to the field.
• Promoting Work-Life Balance: Kathryn addresses the need for policies that support work-life balance, noting that flight attendants have pioneered some of the policies women pilots seek. She also discusses the importance of treating employees fairly to ensure loyalty and advocacy.

Work Rules and Work/Life Balance

• Effect of Antiquated Work Rules: Kathryn comments on the slow progress in adapting work rules to better accommodate the needs of women pilots and their families, pointing out that the industry has historically viewed work-life balance as a secondary concern.
• Specific Changes for Attraction and Retention: She advocates for schedule flexibility and accommodations for family responsibilities, which would benefit not just women but all pilots seeking a better balance between their personal and professional lives.

Seniority and Career Advancement

• Seniority System as a Barrier: Kathryn acknowledges the challenges posed by the seniority system, especially for those seeking schedule stability, which can impact career earnings and advancement opportunities.
• Recommendations for Policy Changes: While recognizing the difficulty of changing the seniority system, Kathryn suggests aiming for policies that ensure equal earning power and opportunity for all pilots, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Key Moments

• Introduction of Kathryn B. Creedy: 00:00:24 - Kathryn's background and expertise in aviation journalism and workforce development are introduced.
• Early Exposure to Aviation Careers: 00:02:16 - Kathryn discusses the importance of early exposure to aviation/aerospace careers for young students, especially girls.
• Outreach and Education Initiatives: 00:04:09 - Insight into existing programs and the need for an aviation education ecosystem to engage young minds in aviation.
• Girls in Aviation Day and Local Efforts: 00:05:37 - Kathryn highlights the impact of Girls in Aviation Day and the significance of local community engagement.
• Innovative Outreach Strategies: 00:06:39 - The potential for collaboration with career counseling software providers to enhance aviation career visibility among young students.
• Diversity and Inclusion in Aviation: 00:07:50 - Kathryn addresses the need for cultural change within the industry to create a more inclusive environment.
• Mentorship Importance: 00:14:13 - Discussion on the critical role of mentorship in supporting young women and girls interested in aviation careers.
• Work-Life Balance: 00:15:37 - Kathryn talks about the industry's need to support better work-life balance, especially for women.
• Seniority and Career Advancement: 00:20:32 - Kathryn's views on how the seniority system acts as a barrier to gender equality and economic equity for women pilots.
• Closing Message to Young Aspirants: 00:23:41 - Kathryn shares a parting message for young girls and women considering a career in aviation or aerospace.