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Safety & Education Foundation
Carly Shukiar
Senior, Commercial Aviation & Minor in Psychology
My name is Carly Shukiar,
and I am currently a senior at the University of North Dakota’s John
D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, working towards a degree in Commercial Aviation with a minor in Psychology. My aviation journey began in 2016 when I attended a career day event at my local airport in Southern California. I had loved aviation for years but had no idea
that pursuing a career in the field was an option. I met and interacted with an incredible group of professional pilots that day who encouraged me
to check out general aviation and start flying. A little over a year later,
I received my private pilot’s license and set my course for an aviation career. The problem was I was unsure of which path to follow – airlines or general aviation.
When I started college, I applied for a job within the UND’s Aerospace Success Center. While there, part of my job would be to attend various presentations for airlines and companies that came to visit the school and assist the company with whatever they needed. By chance, I volunteered to work at a presentation for a general aviation company. While attending this event, I was floored at the vast amount of opportunities that available in this field. Specifically, the potential for one-on-one interactions with like-minded people, the dynamic nature of part 91 and 135 operations, and the opportunities for growth and exploration piqued my interest. After speaking with these recruiters, I knew that the general aviation path would provide me with a rewarding career in the industry
I longed to be a part of. I continued
to build hours and certifications in my program and began to immerse myself in general aviation.
30 MMOPA MAGAZINE
JULY / AUGUST 2021