Shaniya Marshall, a Somerset, NJ native, is our 2022 Scholarship for Change winner! Shaniya is currently majoring in Aviation Flight at Middle Georgia State University, with a minor in Business. In her interview below, Shaniya shares insight about her aviation journey, goals for college, and how a little bit of effort applying for scholarships can make a big impact.

Tell us more about your aviation background! When did you first become interested in becoming a pilot and why?

I found out about aviation at a career fair from the American Airlines Cadet Academy table. They told me the percentage of women aviators in the industry and I was shocked. I would be one of the few to soar through this industry and that ignited a fire in me.

I then met with my mentor, who took me on my first general aviation flight from Concord, North Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts. This was my introduction into the aviation industry and I couldn’t be more happy to say 3 years later I am a Private Pilot, the first milestone to my goal of becoming an airline pilot.

What challenges, if any, have you faced in your aviation journey?

I have faced many challenges through aviation, the main factor being weather. You can not control the weather so you have to come to terms with it and not stress about something you can not control.

Instructor compatibility is vital in the success of your flight training as well. I had to change instructors 3 times to find someone who understood me and my learning style. Lastly, Designated Pilot Examiner availability is limited; you book one day 6-8 weeks in advance - hoping the weather is sufficient for the flight. Aviation comes with patience to get through these challenges. In hindsight it will all be worth it!

What advice do you have for anyone seeking a career in aviation?

My advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in aviation is to take a discovery flight at your local flight school. This is the first step to seeing if you like flying in a general aviation aircraft. After this, you should get a first class medical exam to see if you are medically equipped to go to the airline. After that, you can enroll in the flight school of your choice and start working toward your first milestone of becoming a Private Pilot.

How did you find out about the scholarship?

I found this scholarship on Scholarship.com. I find a lot of my scholarships through this database.

What made you decide to apply?

The one thing standing in the way of my aeronautical dreams is the financial aspect. Aviation is an expensive career and is not covered by financial aid. By applying for this scholarship, I knew I would have a good probability to increase the funds for my education and flight training.

Why is it important for students to seek out scholarships?

It is important to seek out scholarships because it helps you be able to put your plan on paper. Although I do not get every scholarship I apply for, I never consider it a waste because I was able to lay out my goals and how I will achieve them. It is a way to hold myself accountable as I go through my education. It also helps my writing skills since I do 15-20 scholarship applications a year.

This is the way that you can take out the least amount of loans, which you will thank yourself for later. It takes your diligence to find the scholarships, but when you do apply you are among a few others who took the time to complete the application. You have a better chance than you may think!

What are your goals for college and after?

I plan to finish the remainder of my licenses through my degree and graduate. My goal after college is to build my flight hours as a certified flight instructor to build 1,000 flight hours. At that point, I will be able to transition to a regional airline to continue growing my credibility.

Once I have enough funds, I will purchase my first private jet, hiring qualified female crew members to work aboard my aircraft. This will give them the ability to prove themselves without the scrutiny of being a female in a male-dominated industry. It will be a sisterhood within a work environment.

Is there anything you’d like to add for anyone reading this?

Nothing worth having comes easy, just stay persistent and never give up. Everything will happen within the right timing.

You can learn more about Shaniya and keep up with her aviation journey by following her on Instagram or connecting on Facebook!