Reflections after Two Decades in the Aerospace Industry
What I Wish I Had Known. While my experience is rooted in aerospace, these lessons are universal and can resonate with anyone navigating a professional journey.
Today’s article marks a celebration of my 20 year journey in the aerospace industry, along with some closing reflections for the season.
I’ll be back at some point in September, hopefully with fresh ideas and renewed energy ⚡to create content that can inspire those starting their careers.
But also experienced professionals who are simply interested or curious to read about what I’ve learned so far in my professional and personal journey, and what I continue to discover through my insatiable drive for learning.
This is the part I enjoy the most: sharing what I learn, in the hope that it might help others.
One thought that resonates deeply with me is this:
It’s not what you do, but from where you do it.
I guess this means passion for me. What drives me and gives me the energy to keep sharing content with all of you, as well as in other areas of my life.
So thank you, thank you so much 🙏to everyone who follows me, and especially to those who have shared feedback and accompanied me on this personal project that began in January 2023.
My journey, my top 3 lessons learned
While anyone can visit my LinkedIn page to see my professional journey, I’d like to add more value by reflecting on what these 20 years in the aerospace industry have truly taught me, beyond the technical aspects, and what I wish I had known back then!
Since focus is so important to me, I’d like to highlight my top 3 lessons learned and share a piece of advice.
Lesson 1 - Don’t wait for opportunities, create them.
In the early days of my career, I believed that being a top student and accumulating more studies, specializations, and certifications would naturally lead to promotions or better jobs. I was convinced that qualifications alone would open doors.
But over time, I realized something important: you can’t control what you can’t control, and success doesn’t just come to those who wait.
You have to take ownership of your path and actively create the conditions for growth.
In my case, that meant taking bold steps like moving twice to the UK to create the opportunities I was looking for. These were brave decisions; I could have stayed comfortable and close to home and family, but looking back, I can clearly see how those choices helped shape the person and professional I am today.
If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this:
Always think about how the decisions you make today will shape your long-term path. It’s easy to focus on short-term comfort or certainty, but real growth often comes from the choices that challenge you and align with your bigger vision.
Passion is energy. Focus wins.
Lesson 2 - Push your own boundaries and step outside your comfort zone, but always stay true to yourself.
Growth comes from challenge, but it should never come at the cost of your values or authenticity.
Working in a highly regulated industry like aerospace, I started young in roles with significant accountability. In many situations, I felt the pressure to make the right decisions quickly, balancing compliance, safety, and performance, often under intense scrutiny.
These moments taught me the importance of staying grounded in my principles, even when the stakes were high.
True leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t just about making the right calls, it’s about doing so with integrity, consistency, and a clear sense of who you are.
I’ll always remember a piece of advice I received in my first role with real responsibility. At the time, my line manager told me something that stayed with me: "You need to learn to make decisions and not be afraid of being wrong.”
If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this:
Be intentional about the identity you’re building. Make sure it aligns with who you truly are, not just who the role expects you to be.
Don’t lose sight of what brings you energy and purpose.
Lesson 3 - Take both the good and the difficult moments as opportunities to learn.
It’s easy to recognize how positive experiences help us grow, as they give us confidence and motivation
But it has taken me some time to understand that the difficult moments and the challenges are also a gift.
These moments shape you in deeper ways.
They test your resilience, sharpen your perspective and often teach you more than success ever could.
Looking back, I’ve realized that growth doesn’t just happen when things go well, it often happens when you're pushed to your limits and have to find your way through.
If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this:
Embrace the difficult moments with curiosity, not fear. They might just be the turning points that reveal your strength, clarify your values, and move you closer to the person you’re meant to become.
And don’t forget to fully enjoy the sweet ones, too!
Closing Reflection
Finally, I’d like to share this photo from my graduation in North Wales.
Not many people know that I completed my Bachelor of Engineering of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering in the UK.
That same summer, I was incredibly fortunate to land my first job in the aerospace industry, close to home and full of opportunities that helped me take my first steps toward becoming the professional and person I am today.
Looking back, it was the beginning of an amazing journey, one I’m still grateful for every day.
I may not have been fully aware of it at the time, but I can now see how each step I’ve taken was guided by purpose and intuition, fueled by a constant eagerness to become the best version of myself.
Wishing you a wonderful summer, full of rest and inspiration.
I’ll be back in the new season, ready to share more content, insights and stories with you. Until then, take care and enjoy the sunshine! ☀️👋
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter and related resources is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It reflects both researched facts and my personal views. It does not constitute professional advice. Any actions taken based on the content of this newsletter are at the reader's discretion.