Students Rave About NBAA-BACE:
Inspiring, Helpful, Valuable, and Insightful Benefits EVENT OVERVIEW: Describe your experience attending 2023 NBAA-BACE for the first time. Why did you want to attend? What aspects stood out to you, and how did it contribute to your overall impression of the event?
Kaitlyn Gallegos
Recent graduate from Southern Utah University
Attending NBAA-BACE was a game-changer for me as the Assistant Chief of a Fixed Wing Flight Training Program. My goal? Creating connections for future job placements beyond the airlines for both students and instructors alike. What really stood out to me was the event’s diverse companies. These companies provided an ideal platform to build relationships crucial for navigating the complex world of aviation opportunities. BACE, with its varied corporate presence, was a hub for networking. While I take on the responsibility of guiding our CFIs through career transitions, NBAA-BACE not only opened doors to potential employers but also highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of aviation professionals.
NETWORKING EXPERIENCE: Share your experience with networking while at the event. Did you meet any professionals or peers in your field of interest? Share any meaningful connections you made and how you believe these connections will benefit your future career. Networking at the event was fantastic, especially connecting with fellow YoPros. I built relationships with influential peers and mentors, extending our interactions beyond BACE. One notable mentor is a Chief Pilot at a corporate charter company who is also a 40 under 40 recipient. Our discussions outside the event have been insightful, as she provided guidance on navigating the challenges of being a new and young leader in a professional fixed wing flight program. Within the YoPro circle, I also met a newly minted CFI from Auburn that I connected with. I am excited to see what she will learn and have conversations where we can both learn more from one another as young CFIs. These connections have played significant roles in my post-BACE journey. Looking ahead, I aim to pay it forward by offering the same support to others that I’ve received from these valuable connections. KEY TAKEAWAYS: What activities or sessions did you participate in? Reflect on any new skills, knowledge, or perspectives you acquired as a result. How do you think these key takeaways will contribute to your personal and professional development? Engaging in both YoPro sessions and the KeyNote series proved highly enriching. Valuable insights on leadership, especially for young leaders, were gained. Learning the art of being an effective leader while navigating the challenges of being young was a key takeaway. One significant tool emphasized was the ability to say no strategically. A statement that I heard from one of the YoPro panelists, “saying yes to one thing means you’re saying no to another,” deeply resonated with me. This perspective shift has been transformative. Overcoming my struggle to say no, and in turn, better managing my workload has contributed to becoming a more effective leader for both my team and myself. CAREER IMPACT: Consider the impact of the overall event and how it aligns with your long-term career aspirations. How do you see this experience shaping your goals and aspirations moving forward, and what steps do you plan to take to leverage these benefits in your future career endeavors? BACE has significantly influenced my long-term career goals. Dreaming of becoming a corporate pilot for years, witnessing professionals of all ages in roles such as chiefs, executives, and owners at the event affirmed that this aspiration is truly attainable. The insights gained, especially tools like mastering the art of saying no and applying for jobs despite not meeting every qualification, have already proven invaluable in my career. Embracing the idea that possibilities extend beyond rigid qualifications has opened doors and propelled my professional growth. As I continue navigating my career path, BACE has instilled not just inspiration but practical strategies that shape my journey toward fulfilling my dream as a corporate pilot.
