From the time I was a little girl I knew I loved aviation. It wasn't until I was older I realized that I wasn't just interested in aviation, but that I wanted to be a pilot. It wasn't until I went to college to become a pilot that the statistics about female pilots were put into perspective. There are days where I am the only girl in the airport. There are classes where I am the only girl sitting in that lecture hall. But, that doesn't mean I can't do it.
You are just as good, if not better.
You might feel as though you aren't as good because you struggle with certain material or it takes you longer to grasp a concept. I can reassure you, that you are not the only one struggling with that same material and the boy sitting next to you might act like he understands what's happening, but is just as clueless as you are.
Stop trying to "prove" yourself
Being a girl in a male-dominated field, you might feel like you need to prove yourself to all of your male peers. Stop trying to prove that you belong where you are. Your success will tell them way better than your words will.
You will deal with sexists, and that's okay.
You are going to deal with people that believe that you will never be successful in your field because of your gender and are stuck in the old-school thought that women belong in the kitchen at home with the children. That is okay, because you don't need other people's approval to work in a field you love. Your success will prove them wrong anyways.
Find your people
You have to find your people in order to get through. Team up with other people in the same field. Join a sorority or professional fraternity in your field. These people are going to help you and push you when things get tough.
Never give up
There are going to be people that doubt your ability along the path to your success regardless of what field you're going into. Never give up on your goals and dreams. Your goals and dreams don't have an expiration date. Keep pushing.
