NBAA Career Zone Showcasing AviationStart Scholarship Resource

Scholarship resource program AviationStart is marking its first major collaboration at NBAA-BACE with the unveiling of an AI-powered Aviation Career Resource. Jamail Larkins, who has served as the FAA ambassador for aviation and space education since 2004, created AviationStart this year, in partnership with industry, academia, and the agency, to offer a free national resource to help aspiring aviation professionals find scholarships, mentorship programs, and a career roadmap.

“With the support of some industry stakeholders, our goal is to make a central resource for the entire industry, compiling more than $20 million in available scholarships and grants,” Larkins said, noting that the resource can serve as a venue to access national organizations, state/regional associations, and airshows that offer scholarships and grants.

At BACE, the program is showcasing its first generation of the Aviation Career Resource, where students or aspiring professionals can enter basic information such as career goals, location, age, and gender, and instantly get matched to scholarships and professional organizations that can help them.

AviationStart builds off the FAA DreamLaunch Tour Partnership, which has served as a student outreach program. This program, Larkins said, is a simple idea that has evolved into one of the largest aviation education and workforce development partnerships that has reached more than 1,000 schools, museums, and colleges nationwide.

“The tour isn’t just a motivational speech, but an actual aviation workforce development platform,” Larkins said, pointing to research from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University that showed a 60% increase in applications to aviation programs after the DreamLaunch Tour visits.

Meanwhile, the Career Zone is a new feature at NBAA-BACE, bringing together various workforce programs and adding new features. “Whether you’re a student, young professional, mid-career expert, or transitioning military member, the NBAA-BACE Career Zone provides valuable resources and opportunities to support your next career move,” said NBAA senior v-p of events and professional engagement Jo Damato.

Open Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Career Zone will also offer a career fair; career coaching with Jenny Showalter, founder of Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching; opportunities to meet industry luminaries such as former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Michelle “Mace” Curran; a “headshot lounge” to have a professional photo taken; and networking opportunities, including a meet-and-greet with the NBAA Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 class of 2025.

“This is always a great opportunity to build on existing industry relationships, as well as engage with emerging talent to gain insight into the evolving aviation workforce and share some of the exciting opportunities we have for crewmembers, maintenance, flight operations, and other candidates,” said Penny Stocksdale, senior talent acquisition partner, Jet Aviation. “Our staffing team looks forward to interacting with professionals and helping them find their next career prospect in business aviation.”

Showalter advised those planning to attend should arrive prepared with copies of a resume and ready with a 30-second pitch.