My name is Shelby Hickey. I am a undergraduate student of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I consider myself a humble and hardworking individual who pursues every opportunity possible to improve aspects of my life. I have a people-oriented persona and it is not hard for me to get along with others. I learnt these qualities from my Jamaican parents and grandparents who I all witnessed making sacrifices to ensure that their family is comfortable. I also saw them extend their warm personality and kindness to strangers. In the same way that Mrs. Theresa Lord believed that education is the key to success, my parents also instilled that mindset in me. My educational goals are to complete my Bachelors and Associates Degree in Aeronautics as well as a minor in airport management. The plan is to also start and complete my flight training because I want to be among the 1% of women who are in the aviation industry. Not just a woman but a woman of color in aviation. My goal is to work hard to achieve that and to graduate among the top student in my class. An obstacle that I faced was having academically challenges throughout elementary/primary school and high school. I fell into a period of sadness and despair because my grades were not where I wanted them to be. This was not me being hard on myself but my grades were not up to school standards. Many of my peers were doing much better than me. I was called into the principals office for academic warnings but thankfully for me my principals saw potential in me based on my progress reports and decided to keep me in the school. My support system (my parents) decided to get me assessed by a professional to see if I had any challenges with learning. From there it was decided that I needed extra time for all of my examinations as well as one and one tutoring help outside of the regular school curriculum. I ended up passing for a very good high school in Jamaica, Immaculate Conception Highschool for girls but ended up transferring to the top school in Jamaica, Campion College. At Campion, I experienced the same challenges but ended up passing all of my eight subjects in the CXC examinations that are common to most Caribbean countries. I passed them in one sitting. That academic experience taught me that I should continue believing in myself. As Whitney Houston said “learning to love yourself, it is the Greatest love of all.” I did exactly just that and it helped me to achieve my goals. It also taught me the importance of having a supportive family around you who is not pressuring but put in place the necessary measures to create a conducive environment where success is possible due to the love and motivation. Most importantly, I learnt that God is truly the Lord of Lord and the Kings of all Kings. He was right there throughout times of despair and times where I was able to laugh and congratulate myself. It it was not for him, I would not be where I am today. I believe in the saying “I can do all things possible through Christ who strengthens me.”

I am currently a student of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I am pursuing a Bachelors and Associates of Science in Aeronautics with a minor in Airport Management. I have always wanted to pursue an aviation career since the age of 5. The reason behind my passion was the fact that my parents always believed in exposure and so they exposed me to traveling. Since then, I realized this industry is my passion. There are 3 pilots who I’ve gained inspiration from in wanting to start my studies in aviation. Captain Bethoyia Powell who is an airline manager for American Airlines, Captain Marlon Days who flies for Delta and Captain Maria Ziadie-Haddad who formerly flew with Air Jamaica. Captain Maria did not only fly with Air Jamaica but she was the first female captain in Jamaica. The Jamaican pilots sparked my interest because I am also of Jamaican decent. I met Captain Bethoyia Powell at an American Airlines convention. I had a one and one conversation with her about her role in the industry and what it takes to get there. I approached Captain Marlon Dayes on Instagram and he gave me advice which really assisted with my college application and his role in the morning industry. I did not meet Captain Maria but I would hope to meet her someday. My academic goals involves wanting to improve and succeed in various areas and courses that I come across. There are numerous amount of subject areas within my degree requirement that I know I have never seen them before and my goal is to approach each and every one of those courses with the will to tackle the unknown. I have the desire to earn my bachelors and associates in a timely manner. I would also love to make the deans list again as I’ve had with being placed for six consecutive semesters. One of the main goals is to receive scholarships as a result of my academic performances. I would also not pressure myself academically which would cause a burnout. I would want to always try my best at all times because I believe that my best is good enough. In terms of my professional goals, I aspire to be a professional pilot, an aviation manager and eventually proud owner of a flight school or a major jet company. As a professional pilot, my main goal is to inspire others and fly with major airlines in America such as Delta, United Airlines, Spirit, American Airlines and Jet Blue. The plan is to also gain experience in the airport industry once I’ve gained experience as a pilot. I want to able to manage the daily operations of the airport, manage a workforce who are not only passionate about getting tasks done but who are also interested in personal growth. I want to create an environment at various airports of choice that will make the airport continuously evolve. My last goal as a professional aviator is to also be an entrepreneur. I want to be an owner of a flight school or a jet company. It may not be easy to get done by myself but I am always hoping to gain the likes of investors and persons who are generally interested in assisting with making my dream come to life. I am a proud aviation student who is taking one step a time to ensure that her academic and professional goals are fulfilled.

In order to encourage those around me, I always speak words of wisdom. Anyone who I have interacted with, good friends and acquaintances would know that I am their biggest cheerleader. I will support them in anything that they plan to do that will benefit them in a positive way. There are instances where I would do my own research about a friend or family’s choice and share with them a suitable way to start. Every now and then, I would check in to see if they still have the same mindset towards their dream. To be more specific about my willingness to encourage others. Since I am an aspiring aviation student who is currently pursuing an Aviation Management degree, from time to time I would have other aspiring aviators message to find out more information about how I started my program. Some students have always been nervous about starting the program especially as a result of finances and their potential academic performance. I encourage them to not give up, even if it’s to work and save or to search for scholarships. I also share my own experiences in order for them to have it known that it is also possible for them. I have managed to encourage a few students I engaged with to join the aviation industry. A few them have already started their degree programs and a others flight training. I want to continue being an inspiration and an advocate on behalf of the aviation industry.

Special,Heavenly, Effervescent, Likeable, Bodacious and Young are a few words to represent my personal brand. I am SHELBY. I am a student of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Campus. My current degree program is the Bachelors of Science in Aeronautics with a minor in Airport Management. I am SPECIAL. I was born to create an impact through my preferred career choice which is Aviation. I am Heavenly. I have a lovely persona that draws people near me. Effervescent. Enthusiastic about aviation Likeable. Kind, caring and supportive towards other people’s dreams Bodacious. I am always confident about everything that I do. Young. I enjoy putting plans in place for my future.