By Kirstin Sharp 

When I was nine years old, I was watching a documentary about airplanes. It was at that moment I became obsessed with the inner workings of aircraft. I had a dream. At such a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to fix planes!

Imagine everyone's surprise when I announced I wanted to be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (although I called it a plane doctor at that age). Being female, I was discouraged by many and some hoped it was just a phase I was going through. As the years passed I would spend my pocket money buying aviation magazines and read all about this evolving industry.

Going into high school, I was discouraged further because I was trying to break into a predominantly male industry. I was told I did not have the ability or the smarts to make it. I was determined to prove them wrong, so I studied hard and managed to get excellent grades, despite them telling me I couldn't. Unfortunately, one single moment of stupidity, had me watching my dreams disappear, as my enrolment was cancelled.

After 12 months of internal debate, I stepped into the world of job hunting. Never in my life, had I imagined the ridicule I would face while searching for a job in Aircraft Maintenance. I applied at major airlines and many other companies and was turned down by them all. Eventually, I settled and took a job as a nanny. While working as a nanny, I never gave up on my dream, so I continued applying and reapplying at many places and continued to be turned down. I was asked why I was reapplying if they kept turning me down. My answer, if I keep applying, someone might realise I have a passion for this and give me a shot. This has yet to happen.

I returned to school in 2007, hoping this would help me. My teachers were very supportive and encouraged me to chase my dreams, which was the exact opposite to my first go at high school. Throughout the first half of the year, I was turned down continuously for jobs, so I re-evaluated my goals. I decided that a good stepping stone into Aircraft Maintenance would be to get into the automotive industry.

With a new resume, I started hunting an apprenticeship, with the hopes that the trade qualification would give me a foot through the aviation door. Huge mistake! I searched and searched but still no one was willing to give me a chance. At 24, with a great work ethic, I was being turned down in favour of younger males. In this time I had completed year 11 and was once again jobless.

I spent six months hounding Centrelink to put me into Job Search Training. Finally, I was in. I showed up to my first day at The Salvation Army Employment Plus at Chermside with a 'can do' attitude. I was however, a little apprehensive to reveal my real dream because, at the other Job Network Agencies I had been with, they had discouraged me from going after my dream because it was going to be impossible. At TSAEP, I had nothing to worry about because they were more than encouraging. I spent everyday asking them to check over my resumes and cover letters, wanting them perfected. To my surprise, they never complained about my hounding and did everything with a smile. They were happy to help anyone who wanted it. My two consultants encouraged me to do some 'cold canvassing', so armed with an excellent resume and cover letter, I hit the streets. Within hours, I returned in tears. I was laughed out of many companies and even had people telling me that I didn't belong in aviation. I can handle jokes and sexism, but to be openly told I don't belong there, that was hard.

It has been 17 years since I decided I wanted to be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and 10 years of trying to achieve this. I have applied to companies all over Australia and continue to be turned down. One would think that, by now, I would have succeeded, especially since I have so much passion, desire and determination. I have researched other ways into this career but because courses aren't offered through TAFE and Uni, I would have to quit my job and live off the small amount I would get from Centrelink, just so I can get financial aid to attend one of the few places offering Aircraft Maintenance courses. These places cost a lot of money and only offer financial aid if you are on Centrelink benefits, which I am not.

I knew, even at nine, it was going to be hard to get into this field of work but never did I imagine that I would not be able to actually do it. I will never give up my dream, even if it takes me 50 years, I will, one day, work on planes. All I need is one shot, just one person to give me a chance and I know I will succeed. I love to get my hands dirty and I actually crave hard work. I am sure there is someone out there who will be willing to give me a chance, I just need to find them. I only have one dream, only ever had one dream and I will continue to try and make this dream a reality.