In eleventh grade I decided to enroll in the aviation maintenance program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. I
had grown up working on cars, tractors, etc. with my dad, and airplanes were the only thing he could not teach me how to fix. I graduated with an associate’s degree in aviation maintenance and FAA A&P certificate in 2006. My goal straight out
WHere Are
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anna RoMeR
of college was to become a corporate flight technician so I
could fly on the aircraft I fixed. After eight years of working my way up from a line service technician at several FBOs
to a mechanic on general, corporate,
and air transport aircraft, inspecting
for a jet engine and aircraft manufacturer, and becoming a quality
engineer; I am proud to say I have
accomplished this goal. I am now a
flight mechanic for American Family
Insurance on its corporate aircraft.
Scholarships I have received along
the way from WAI and Associa-
tion for Women in Aircraft Mainte-
nance (AWAM) are what helped me
work my way up. Upon completing
my inspection authorization at Bak-
er’s School of Aeronautics in Nash-
ville, Tennessee, in January 2011, I
attended the WAI conference as a re-
cipient of the Pratt & Whitney Train-
ing Scholarship. At the time I was
unemployed, but because of the ex-
posure I had from receiving this scholarship through WAI, I
interviewed for my first inspection job with Pratt & Whitney
at the conference. I went to work for them one month later.
The goal I am working toward now is to earn a bachelors
degree in aviation maintenance management with a minor
in aviation safety through Embry-
Riddle so I can become a director
of maintenance. Last year I re-
ceived the Delta Air Lines Main-
tenance Management Scholarship
through WAI, which allowed me
to take one extra class per semes-
ter for five semesters without fi-
nancial burden. This allowed me
to cut the amount of time it will
take me to receive my degree. This
year The Boeing Company Career
Enhancement Scholarship is help-
ing me to continue taking classes
for two semesters in which I other-
wise would not have been able to.
Honestly, I would not be where
I am today without the help of
scholarships offered through na-
tional aviation associations like
WAI and AWAM, powerful networking events such as the In-
ternational Women in Aviation Conference, which I have at-
tended for 10 years in a row now, and the mentors introduced
to me at these networking events.
Each scholarship has financially helped me or given me
the necessary aircraft maintenance related experience and
company contacts I have needed in order to achieve my ini-
tial goal and lead me to my next career goal. I am so thank-
ful and have shown my appreciation by giving back to WAI
through speaking at conference education sessions that have
taught students and professionals in the industry how to in-
terview and apply for scholarships, the importance of net-
working, and how to build their résumés. ✈
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anna Romer, WAI 16853, is an aircraft mechanic with a pas-
sion for all things aviation. She believes strongly that if you can
dream it and are willing to work for it, you can make it happen.
reACHING GoALS WItH
SCHoLArSHIPS
2016 Scholarships Coming Soon!
In 2015, more than $600,000 in scholarships
were awarded to WaI members.
Look for the 2016 WaI scholarship offerings
to be announced in the July/august issue
of Aviation for Women.
