move to Jacksonville in December,
but a couple weeks later I received
an e-mail back from Bill Collins
who recommended me to a manag-
er from US Airways. They called me
back shortly after and before I knew
it, in November I was interviewing
for the avionics position in Phoenix!
I was visiting family in Iowa over
Thanksgiving weekend when I got a
call and was offered the job. Good-
bye Jacksonville, hello Phoenix!
We moved from Tulsa to Phoenix
in December of 2013, and I started
my job with US Airways in January
2014. I feel so blessed to be where I
am now and I wouldn't want to be
anywhere else. It's a great feeling
to love going to my job every day,
and it's so rewarding to watch our
aircraft take off after fixing them.
Yes—I still look up at airplanes!
They still amaze me every day. And
when my son says "Look Mommy,
air-pwane!" it makes my heart melt.
This year, I was able to volunteer
for the scholarship committee for
American Airlines' maintenance
scholarship. It was really enjoy-
able being on the "other side" and
helping someone else succeed with
their dreams and goals. I helped
represent our maintenance team at
the American Airlines booth at the
conference and especially loved
being able to mentor others who
were in school and nervous about
entering this industry.
I u rge a nyone to apply for as
ma ny schola rships as possible.
You have nothing to lose and ev-
erything to gain. Not just for the
money, but also for the networking
opportunities that go along with it.
You never know, the next person
you talk to might be your future
employer. Always act professional
and don't be afraid to show your
passion and ask questions! ✈
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sonia Thiebeau, WAI 46392, was
awarded the American Airlines Air-
craft Maintenance Technology Schol-
arship in 2013.
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