Next Generation
Developing the next generation of leaders is a key component of IAWA‘s mission. One of our most important goals under this mission is to promote and drive diversity in our industry. Investing in a diverse group of female leaders in aviation and aerospace is a pointed, full circle effort for IAWA, which starts with the critical first step of our scholarship offering. Continuing with this investment, IAWA offers its managed mentoring program to all scholarship recipient's, and encourages them to participate. Completing the circle comes through the IAWA Internship program, which is worked in close collaboration with our member companies.
IAWA Scholarship Program
IAWA partners with nine colleges and universities around the globe to bring scholarship opportunities to young women studying aviation and aerospace. All nine university partners distinguish their programs by not only focusing on academic excellence in the aviation industry but but also intentionally focusing on advancing the gender diversity of their students and faculty members through their recruitment and retention. IAWA Members, including our Advocates and past Scholarship Recipients, and our University Partners jointly host events that highlight the importance of gender diversity and how we all can fill an essential role in advancing the global aviation industry. IAWA also works to expand industry relationships and partnerships to ensure our scholarship program remains funded to levels that will continue to make a difference for our scholarship recipients.
The Scholarship application process reflects the joint commitment by our university partners and IAWA to identify the next generation of female leaders in global aviation. A scholarship candidate must first obtain the approval to apply for the scholarship directly from their respective college or university and complete the detailed application package. Each institution then submits the completed application package of the finalists to IAWA. The students who are selected to receive an IAWA scholarship share noteworthy and inspirational traits - they share our passion for aviation, they have demonstrated grit in overcoming challenges in their academic and personal lives, and, most importantly, they each have a desire to Connect, Inspire and Lead on their college campuses, in their work, and in their volunteerism.
IAWA’s scholarship is unique as it supports our scholarship recipients' academic and professional development. Beyond a financial award for tuition, it also includes a free year of IAWA Scholar Membership that provides access to our events and Career Growth programs, attendance at our annual conference to connect with members and develop one’s professional network, the opportunity to participate in future IAWA events, obtaining a mentor in IAWA’s Mentoring Program, and access to Internships through IAWA’s network of partners in the aviation industry.
If you would like more information on the IAWA scholarship program, contact us.
IAWA Mentoring Program
IAWA believes in Lifting Women into Leadership and Mentorship is critical to developing leadership opportunities and facilitating professional growth. The goal of the program, which is entering its fourth year, remains to continue building programs that attract, retain, expand, and advance the diverse leadership talent within the aviation industry and further enhance the experiences of IAWA’s members. Mentoring pairs meet at least six times during the pairing and work on realizing at least one goal.
The fourth round of IAWA’s 12-month program opens on February 1, 2025 and all participants must be active IAWA Members. The Mentoring Program is a benefit of IAWA Membership. No fees are directly charged to anyone who participates in IAWA’s Mentoring Program. IAWA Members are responsible for sustaining the Mentoring Program through human interaction and sponsorship capital support.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well and the effectiveness of the program is critical to ensuring that IAWA meets its Mission. The focus remains on building the pipeline of future female leaders in the aviation industry and strengthening the engagement of IAWA’s members who are leaders in the aviation industry.
Here is how we are measuring effectiveness in the program:
Global Diversity
Over 30 Countries across five continents are represented
Segments of the Aviation Industry
Legal, Business Aviation, OEM, Airline, Cargo, Military, Insurance, Finance, MRO, and other Service Providers (nongovernmental agencies)
Focus on Meetings and Realizing Goals
Over 250 meetings were completed with 29 goals realized
Advancement in Careers
37 of the 125 people who participated took steps forward in their careers. This reflects the dedication of the participants to grow and support the professional growth of others.
Member Retention and Growth
Mentors report an increased job satisfaction and are becoming more engaged members. This is retaining and attracting new membership across all categories – Members, Advocates, Apprentice, and Scholars – as noted from the response of our April 2023 marketing campaign with five new Members and five new Apprentices.
Sponsorship Beyond Mentorship
Four of our mentees earned internationally recognized commendations by their peers and other program members participated in panels and coauthored articles.
Feedback
The program received a perfect Net Promotor Score on all areas evaluated and three Mentors received 5 out of 5 stars by their Mentees.
Grant from the ISTAT Foundation
The IAWA Mentoring program recently received a $7,300 grant from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Foundation to support the Qooper platform which is used to facilitate the program. The IAWA Mentoring Program is powered by IAWA members who serve as Mentors and is facilitated by a software platform (Qooper) that is utilized by Fortune 1000 companies (Google and Merck), universities (Brown University), and associations (Venture for America.) By choosing the Qooper platform to facilitate the administration of the program, IAWA is making a tangible investment in strengthening the experiences of our Members to achieve the Mission and Goals of the program.
Good mentors share lessons from their experience.
Great mentors help you crystallize lessons from your experience.
Good mentors give useful answers.
Great mentors help you ask better questions.
Good mentors walk you through their path.
Great mentors help you identify your path.
Internships
IAWA provides intermediary support between IAWA member companies offering internship opportunities and potential student or professional applicants in IAWA's network. IAWA reviews the requirements of both parties involved and works towards developing a match that will lead to a summer internship or fellowship opportunity at companies that are looking for IAWA's network of scholarship recipients and women’s development network.
If internship opportunities are available, they will appear in our Career Growth or Career Hub member-only section of the website. If you have questions for our Internship Committee, please email info@iawa.org.
“During my internship at OpenAirlines, I had the chance to challenge my knowledge and improve my skills while working towards green aviation. In the world of Learning and Development, innovation and technology are moving fast. It is an amazingly motivating time to be in the industry, and working with a young, professional and aspiring team. OpenAirlines is an intersection of science, technology and aviation.”
-Maedeh Raven
"My Mechanical Engineering Internship at Honeywell exposed me to the real engineering world, which has enormous room for innovation. I consider this a vital stage in my career as the connections and experience I have gained will stay with me for life."
-Alina Santande
