Dreams do soar!

Shaesta Waiz is the CEO at Dreams Soar Inc. Growing up as an Afghan refugee girl, she didn’t have the financial means to fly or a role model to assure her that women with her background could succeed in aviation. Yet her determination and hard work led her to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft. Today, she is an inspiration for all young professionals who want to enter the world of aviation. I got the chance to learn more about her extraordinary journey and the lessons she learned along the way.

Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me! It's a real honor. Could you perhaps start by telling the audience a little bit about Dreams Soar and your Aviate platform?

Sure, my pleasure! Well, there are two things I am passionate about in aviation: inspiring young professionals and supporting women. These passions led me to launch Dreams Soar, Inc and the AVIATE Platform.

Dreams Soar is a non-profit that aims to inspire, connect, and empower aviation professionals. We have spent the past few years participating in over 60 outreach events globally, met with over 25,000 young professionals, and launched a scholarship program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Our next chapter is focused on building a digital industry Hub to serve students, parents, educators, and aviation companies.

The AVIATE Platform provides a space for women in aviation to express themselves. The AVIATE (Acknowledge, Vocalize, Act, Travel, and Evolve) Platform launched a podcast where I speak with women leaders in our industry about their career journeys in aviation. We have successfully launched four seasons of the 'AVIATE with Shaesta' podcast and released a series of content like a newsletter, roundtable discussions, and live fireside chats on LinkedIn to encourage dialogue on matters related to women in aviation.

Wow, that's great. I'm hoping that my website will also provide a platform for young aviation enthusiasts to connect, learn, ask questions and share experiences! How did you end up in aviation?

Actually, I grew up afraid of airplanes. My only exposure to aviation was aircraft accidents on the news. So when I showed up at the airport, at age 17, to fly by myself from California to Florida, I was very nervous. Navigating around the airport was a foreign experience for me. I had yet to learn what a terminal or gate was. When I eventually found my airplane and sat in the back of a Delta Airlines flight, I buckled my seat belt and took a deep breath. I wondered what the flight would be like. I thought it would be one big roller coaster ride across the nation. When the aircraft taxied onto the runway, and we started accelerating for takeoff, the airline gently lifted off and elevated into the open sky. I sat in my seat, amazed. I looked out the window and saw the small city I grew up in, near the Bay Area. It seemed so small. I then looked out and saw an exciting world out there, waiting to be discovered by me. This flight experience shook me at my core, and from that moment on, I knew my place was in aviation.

Can you tell us a bit more about your career path?

After my flight experience, I eventually landed in Florida. Rather than exploring the beautiful beaches or theme parks Florida has to offer, my thoughts were consumed with flight. When I returned home to California, I spoke with my high school guidance counselor about my newly discovered passion. He immediately told me about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I spent the next few years attending community college and applying for scholarships. I transferred to Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Florida, during my sophomore year. My experience at Embry-Riddle was fruitful. I was active in student government and attended aviation conferences. I had the opportunity to intern for a major US airline. I traveled to Alaska to learn about fighter jets and flying for the Air National Guard.

When it came time for me to decide what I wanted to do with my flying career, I was torn. Although the airlines are what inspired me to become a pilot, I couldn’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life. I sat down and asked myself, what would it be if I could do anything in aviation? The answer was clear. If I could do anything, it would be to fly around the world and inspire others to consider aviation as a career. This job description didn’t exist, so I decided it was an opportunity for me to create it. In 2016, I founded the non-profit Dreams Soar, Inc. In 2017, I took off in a Beechcraft Bonanza and flew solo around the world to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in STEM and aviation.

That must have been an incredible experience! What is that you like most about your current job?

The next chapter of DSI is focused on becoming the one-stop industry career Hub to inspire, connect and empower aviation professionals. We aim to create a centralized digital Hub where students, parents, educators, and companies can easily visit and access the aviation industry. To be at the intersection of aviation and tech is very exciting for me. I enjoy finding unique opportunities to apply aviation in a way that better serves and supports others.

You studied Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Can you tell us a bit about your college experience? What would you say to high school students who are considering studying Aeronautics?

I truly enjoyed my college experience because it allowed me to make mistakes, ask questions, and learn more about myself. After each flight lesson, I felt more confident in my abilities as a pilot and person. After each course, I walked away, understanding the industry better. After each social gathering, I walked away with a new friend. When I would fail at something, and it happened more than you think, I allowed myself to be v, reflect, learn from the situation, and come back stronger. I encourage all young professionals to own their educational and career journeys. What you put into it is what you will get out of it.

What skills and knowledge have been most important for your aviation career?

Communication and networking are two skills that have allowed me to set myself apart from others. I highly encourage anyone to find a skill they enjoy the most and master it. There are so books, workshops, YouTube videos, podcasts, and resources out there to help nurture most professional skills, especially communication or networking. When you find that skill, make it your superpower, and no doubt, it will set you apart!

In hindsight, if you could do anything differently, what would it be?

I am my worst critic. If I could go back, I would have been kinder to myself and not focused on specific setbacks. As long as you are moving forward and making progress, failures are inevitable and truly an opportunity to course correct and keep going.

That's really great advice, because I think many of us are very self-critical.

What advice would you give young students who would like to pursue a career in aviation?

Go for it! Whatever you want to do in aviation, go for it. Don’t let anyone or any circumstance hold you back. The industry is ripe for new ideas, innovations, and different ways of doing things.

Do you have a special memory from your career journey?

Flying across the Pacific Ocean on the back end of my solo flight around the world challenged me. I took off from Hawaii overweight and nursed the aircraft to altitude. The flight took about 14.5 hours, and I spent that time monitoring my fuel, navigating the weather, and praying my engine would not give up on me. When I eventually saw the foggy coastline of San Francisco, I had a euphoric moment and thought about all I had experienced along my journey around the world. I thought about the friends I made, the countries I visited, and the students I inspired. It all started with an idea. The idea grew into a dream. With a lot of hard work, determination, and grit, the dream that became a reality was coming to an end. When I landed in Hayward, California, I cried for about 10 minutes after shutting the engine. It was an emotional moment, and I was so happy I never gave up, no matter how tiring or impossible the journey felt. The biggest takeaway for me was that Dreams do Soar.

That's really inspiring...Thank you so much for sharing! Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to convey?

Looking back, I realize that the opportunities that challenged me to leave my comfort zone were the most rewarding. It is okay if, along your journey, you don’t see people who look like you or come from a similar background as you. Keep going, and remember that only you know what you can accomplish.

Wow, those words mean a lot to me personally, and I'm sure they will also encourage many other young people with big dreams. It's been a real pleasure learning more about your journey. Thank you very much for your time and the great advice!