2017 Careers in Business Aviation Day Will Inspire Students at NBAA-BACE
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will once again host its popular annual Careers in Business Aviation Day on Thursday, Oct. 12 during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, NV. Career Day, a free event for all registered students, faculty and chaperones, kicks off at 9 a.m., and will feature a special keynote presentation, followed by the College/University Roundtable session, as well as opportunities for students to visit the NBAA-BACE exhibit hall and static display of aircraft.
“The association dedicates the final day of NBAA-BACE to students because we are invested in business aviation’s future, and the future of our great industry is our next generation of professionals and leaders,” says Peter Korns, NBAA’s manager, operations. “Exposing young people to the many facets of business aviation can inspire them to explore and perhaps pursue a successful career in our industry, and there’s no better place to make that introduction than at the world’s biggest business aviation event of the year.”
This year’s Career Day will open with a keynote presentation by Shaesta Waiz of Dreams Soar that will indeed inspire. Waiz, the engaging and highly motivational face behind the Dreams Soar initiative to inspire the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and aviation professionals, will have just returned to the U.S. following her solo flight around the world. Waiz will return to NBAA-BACE to share stories from her 25,000 nautical-mile journey which crossed five continents and touched the lives and hearts of thousands of young students in more than 20 countries.
Waiz, who presented her plans for the global STEM outreach flight at last year’s Career Day, shared her story of growing up in a refugee camp to becoming first civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. Upon her return to the U.S. she will become the first female pilot from Afghanistan to fly solo around the world, and the youngest female to do so in a single-engine aircraft. The airplane, a Beechcraft Bonanza A36, will make its first U.S. appearance since returning from the flight at the NBAA-BACE Static Display at Henderson Executive Airport.
“We are excited to welcome Shaesta back to the U.S. and back to NBAA-BACE where two years ago in Las Vegas, Dreams Soar announced plans to fly a Bonanza solo around the world to encourage and empower young people to believe in themselves regardless of challenges or traditions they may face,” said Korns.
Following Waiz’s presentation, the College/University Roundtable, presented in partnership with the University Aviation Association (UAA), will allow older students to interact with industry leaders in an intimate format and learn about specific career paths, as well as how best to prepare for a career in business aviation.
“The roundtable session has been an incredibly successful event in recent years,” says Korns. “It’s an opportunity for more advanced students to come engage with leaders from across the industry, including managers, pilots, mechanics, schedulers, recruiters, human resources experts and more. And it allows industry professionals to connect with future leaders to help guide them on their career paths.”
Career Day is free to middle school, high school and college students, as well as faculty and chaperones. College students attending UAA-affiliated schools are eligible for complimentary access to all three days of NBAA-BACE. Those students wishing to attend all three days should contact their faculty advisors or UAA directly to obtain the free registration code. Non-UAA/NBAA college students may attend the entire event at a discounted registration fee of $85.
Learn more about Careers in Business Aviation Day.
NBAA-BACE is business aviation’s most important annual event, where participants have an unequaled opportunity to view the latest business aircraft, products, technology and services the industry offers. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Oct. 10-12, the event also offers a premier networking venue and dozens of educational sessions.