What Happens in Reno.....(is just the beginning of the story)

A few weeks back I attended my first Women in Aviation Conference in Reno. I've wanted to go for a very long time. I had this feeling that, somehow, just by going I would find what I was looking for that would propel me into the next phase of my aviation career. What it did, was something I never expected – it inspired this blog.

For many people, being a part of professional organizations is a professional move. It's a way to network, find mentors, and get funding for that next rating. For me, although I am definitely open to these other opportunities, it was a personal motivation based on finding “community.” I think I thought that just by pure association I would find this, and in some ways I have. What I am finding though, is that just like learning to fly, finding “community” is subjective, and just as I expected the conference to be social it turned out to be much more a personal journey.

I recently wrote an article for the Bay Cities Chapter of the Ninety-Nines (an International Women Pilot's Association) about my experience. You can access a PDF copy of the “Foghorn” newsletter with my article here. (My article is on the last page)

I highly encourage anyone to check out some of the organizations out there. I am a part of many different communities. Here are just a few links to get you started:

Women in Aviation http://www.wai.org/

International Ninety-Nines http://www.ninety-nines.org/

Freelancers Union http://www.freelancersunion.org/

Civil Air Patrol http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/

Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance http://www.awam.org/

AMT Society http://www.amtsociety.org/index.jsp

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association   http://www.aopa.org/



Are there any organizations that are invaluable in your life?  Share with the rest of us!!