Women in Engineering at Delta Air Lines

The field of engineering has traditionally been male-dominated, but we make strides with each day to change the narrative and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field. Diversity in any profession is crucial for innovation and progress and women bring unique perspectives and ideas to the table. More women in engineering can help to drive new solutions to complex problems.

We recently chatted with a few of the women in engineering from Delta TechOps about why they chose to pursue careers in engineering at Delta, who inspires them, and what advice they would give to young women interested in engineering — here's what they had to say.

Engineers interviewed: Pooja Shah – Sr. Engineer, Haley Erickson – Manager Aircraft Engineering, Monica Ridgeway – Manager Aircraft Engineering

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being an engineer?

A: The most rewarding thing about being an engineer in my department is producing a solution that ‘saves the day’. My favorite part is looking at a repair, developing the substantiation and performing complicated analysis to show that a repair is good and safe. It is like a puzzle I am challenged to solve. - Monica

A: I find that the most rewarding thing about being an engineer at Delta is knowing that the work we do keeps our aircraft flying, safe to operate, and comfortable for our passengers. Safety is always our number one priority and having the ability to directly impact this is something that I am very proud of – the work is not always easy, but it is well worth it and something that I would not trade for the world. - Haley

A: The most rewarding thing about being an engineer is taking a project from scratch,?going through the whole process and watching it come to fruition. It feels satisfying to be able to make a difference in some small way. Also as a past co-op at Delta, and now as one of the advisors to the co-op committee, being able to mentor the new class of co-ops and watch them grow into amazing professionals is incredibly rewarding. - Pooja

Q: What is the most challenging thing about being an engineer???

A: All engineers face challenges in their roles, whether it be from needing solutions for complex problems where none are evident or juggling the many facets of project management and development. This applies to me as well. Ultimately though, dedication to safety always prevails and no matter how challenging problem or how complex the project is – I like to take on each new challenge head on and with a positive attitude. - Haley

A: The most challenging thing is being a minority in the industry, it feels intimidating and at times I feel a bit out of place but it’s also a good reminder that having ample representation is so important. - Pooja

A: The most challenging thing is when we are faced with a scenario we have not seen before but still must solve for with limited resources. Resources such as design data, loads data, and materials or tools to use. Although there are many challenges, this is what drives me and makes it fun. Work as an engineer, is never really work when you love it.?- Monica

Q: We’re guided by the belief that connecting the world is the most important work there is. That our purpose is to erase the distance that separates us. And that the farther we go, the closer we land. What or who has helped shape your world??

A: The person who has shaped my world the most is my mother. She has always been someone I look up to and of course she is my biggest advocate and support system. My mother was raised in a conservative society and was taught to always be docile, agreeable and not to rock the boat at all costs. Thankfully for me, she is the complete opposite of that, but it meant she had to go against the grain every step of the way to be able to create opportunities for herself and follow her passions. And because of her experiences, she made sure to emphasize the importance of self-reliance and hard work in my upbringing. She made sure to provide me with the freedoms that she didn’t have and encouraged me to aim higher and dream bigger. She believes that if you really want something, it’s worth at least one good try and to not fear failure but embrace it as part of the learning process. Having that mindset in a male dominated field has really helped me overcome a lot of self-doubt and push my way through tasks that may seem impossible. - Pooja

A: I would have to say there are several people that helped me along the way – from my days as a maintenance technician [at Delta Air Lines.] Alvis Didway supported my goals and desires to continue my education in engineering. It took a lot of creative scheduling to keep up with my college courses, and although he was very tough on me as a technician, he never treated me differently from the men, and fully supported me as a single mother raising two young boys. I could not have become an engineer without his support.?- Monica

A: My mother laid a strong foundation that helped shape me into who I am today. She built her career from the ground up and despite many obstacles that could have changed her trajectory, never let that discourage her or change her outlook on life. Over the course of 24 years, she managed a high-volume corporate store at the mall in my hometown and worked as a District Manager for that same store for a time as well. I spent a lot of time as a kid in the mall with my mom and later worked as a seasonal employee for her when I was in college – throughout that time, I watched first-hand as she dedicated herself fully to ensuring not only the success of the store, but also the wellbeing and development of the young women that she led. She cared for each one of her employees as if they were a part of her own family and she did whatever necessary to empower them to be their best selves, not only professionally but personally as well. She’s never known anything other than going above and beyond the expectations of the role and that is clear to everyone that meets her. Watching her unwavering dedication to her work, employees, and family has shaped every facet of who I am today, both in the workplace and personally. I would not and could not be who I am today without her example and guidance.?- Haley

Q: What advice/recommendations would you give to a young woman looking to begin a career in the engineering field??

A: Young women entering a career in engineering should remember a couple of key things – listen to and learn from your peers, seek out new opportunities that you know will challenge you to grow, find a mentor, build a support system for yourself, and above all else believe in yourself and continue to persevere. In all honesty, being a woman in engineering is not always easy and most women start to learn this while in college. Despite this, if you believe in yourself and surround yourself with others that want to see you grow and succeed, no obstacles or challenges are too big and you’ll have a world of opportunities at your doorstep. - Haley

A: We can have it all. We can fill positions that were traditionally held predominantly by men and succeed! We shouldn’t be intimidated by our small numbers but feel honored to be part of an elite few that were willing to embrace the unknown and courageous enough to stick with it. With this mindset, there is nothing we cannot conquer. - Monica

A: Something that a mentor of mine once said has always stuck with me, “Curiosity can’t be taught”. So, I would say, always ask questions, there’s always something new to learn. People love to work and interact with someone who is invested and engaged in the task. Sometimes I tend to limit myself from trying new things for fear of failing or thinking I don’t have the experience it takes to do the job. But it’s okay to not have all the answers, no one does. If you go in with the goal to learn and grow from your experiences, everything seems a little less daunting and a little more exciting. - Pooja

Pooja, Monica, and Haley are just a few of the many women in engineering helping to inspire future generations of girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and ultimately leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce in all fields.

There are 90,000+ reasons to join Delta—every one of our employees has their own. Find your why as an engineer at Delta by clicking below to learn more about career opportunities.