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“Don’t Wait for the Invitation” — Aircraft Mechanic & Advocate Samantha T. Mitchell on Owning Your Path in Aviation
Manage episode 501220332 series 2954969
In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Samantha T. Mitchell—licensed A&P mechanic, author, and founder of Black Women in Aviation—about building a career where women are still drastically underrepresented, especially in maintenance. Samantha recounts finding aviation through a college brochure, nearly losing a dream role over citizenship status, becoming the first female mechanic for Air Jamaica at JFK, and learning to navigate rooms where she was often the only one.
They discuss how the DEI rollback is affecting funding, visibility, and community support, why “we are more than letters,” and practical ways women can persist: invite yourself in, anchor to one ally, reprogram limiting blueprints, and lead with demonstrated competence. Samantha closes with a vision of progress defined not by headcounts but by a domino effect of inspired “yeses.”
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 | Don’t Wait—Invite Yourself
01:20 | Why This Season: DEI Rollback
04:18 | Finding Maintenance at Vaughn
07:45 | Boeing Setback, Air Jamaica Pivot
09:25 | Being the Only One in the Room
14:13 | “More Than Letters”: DEI Reality
17:54 | Build the Turbulence Muscle
20:23 | One Ally, Faith, and Mentors
25:03 | Own Your Gifts, Own Your Path
29:12 | Progress as a Domino Effect
Follow Samantha T. Mitchell
- LinkedIn: Samantha T. Mitchell
- Website: www.samanthatmitchell.com
Follow Shaesta Waiz
Website: shaestawaiz.com
LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz
Instagram: @shaesta.waiz
TikTok: @shaestawaiz
Shaesta Waiz on YouTubeYouTube (Aviate Platform)
Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group
Website:www.massifsp.com
LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production
Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com
LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
83 episodes
Manage episode 501220332 series 2954969
In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Samantha T. Mitchell—licensed A&P mechanic, author, and founder of Black Women in Aviation—about building a career where women are still drastically underrepresented, especially in maintenance. Samantha recounts finding aviation through a college brochure, nearly losing a dream role over citizenship status, becoming the first female mechanic for Air Jamaica at JFK, and learning to navigate rooms where she was often the only one.
They discuss how the DEI rollback is affecting funding, visibility, and community support, why “we are more than letters,” and practical ways women can persist: invite yourself in, anchor to one ally, reprogram limiting blueprints, and lead with demonstrated competence. Samantha closes with a vision of progress defined not by headcounts but by a domino effect of inspired “yeses.”
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 | Don’t Wait—Invite Yourself
01:20 | Why This Season: DEI Rollback
04:18 | Finding Maintenance at Vaughn
07:45 | Boeing Setback, Air Jamaica Pivot
09:25 | Being the Only One in the Room
14:13 | “More Than Letters”: DEI Reality
17:54 | Build the Turbulence Muscle
20:23 | One Ally, Faith, and Mentors
25:03 | Own Your Gifts, Own Your Path
29:12 | Progress as a Domino Effect
Follow Samantha T. Mitchell
- LinkedIn: Samantha T. Mitchell
- Website: www.samanthatmitchell.com
Follow Shaesta Waiz
Website: shaestawaiz.com
LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz
Instagram: @shaesta.waiz
TikTok: @shaestawaiz
Shaesta Waiz on YouTubeYouTube (Aviate Platform)
Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group
Website:www.massifsp.com
LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production
Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com
LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
83 episodes
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