17. How to Become a Pilot as a Woman of Color: Real Steps, Costs, and Barriers Nobody Talks About

Want to become a pilot but don't know where to start—or feel like it's not a career path for someone like you?Aviation is one of the most expensive, technical, and male-dominated industries out there. And for women of color, the barriers are even higher. Less representation. Fewer mentors. And no clear roadmap for how to break in without the right connections or background.But women of color are doing it. And this episode shows exactly what it takes.This is part of the Industry Series on The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast—where we break down how ambitious women of color are building careers in industries that weren't built for us, and what it really takes to move up.In this episode, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Betty Garcia—a licensed pilot who started as a flight attendant and is working her way to the cockpit at a major airline—for one of the most detailed, honest conversations about breaking into this field you'll find.If you've ever considered a non-traditional career path, felt pulled toward something bigger, or wondered if an industry like aviation is actually accessible to you—this conversation will change how you see what's possible.In this episode, we discuss:How Betty went from UC Berkeley to flight attendant to licensed pilotThe real cost of flight training and how to access scholarships and fundingWhat it's like being one of the only Latinas in the cockpitNavigating a male-dominated, hierarchical industry as a woman of colorBuilding flight hours, certifications, and experience step by stepWhy mentorship, community, and advocacy matter in this industryWhat aspiring pilots need to know before they get startedHow to stay committed to a path that wasn't designed with you in mindAbout Betty Garcia Betty Garcia is a UC Berkeley graduate and licensed pilot with her private, multi-engine, and commercial certifications, currently working toward becoming a commercial airline pilot. With over a decade in aviation as a flight attendant at a major airline, she is passionate about opening doors for more women of color in this industry.📱 Instagram: @lapilotabettygee: https://www.instagram.com/lapilotobettygee/Work With Jessica If you're an ambitious woman of color who wants to grow in an industry that wasn't built for you—and you're tired of working twice as hard just to be taken half as seriously—this is what I help with.I work 1:1 with ambitious women of color to get promoted, earn more, and move up in their careers without burning out or shrinking themselves to fit spaces that were never designed for them. We get specific about what's keeping you from the next level, what you need to be doing differently, and how to show up in a way that makes the right people take notice—so your hard work actually turns into the title and pay you've earned.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC  https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojas https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnrojas/ Subscribe & ReviewSubscribe so you don't miss the rest of the Industry Series. A 5-star review helps more women of color find this podcast and feel seen in their experience.