AT COMMUTEAIR, WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WITH GREAT STORIES TO SHARE.
During Black History Month, we would like to share the incredible stories of just a few of the standout members of our team. This week we’re featuring Dorjän Scott – an experienced Technical Writer, Mechanical Engineer, and lifelong fan of aviation! Read on to hear some of Dorjän’s aviation story.
Tell us about your role and what you do at C5.
I am one of the Senior Technical Writers in the Technical Publications Department. We work with many other departments including Flight Operations, Maintenance, Inflight, and Training to make sure that they have the manuals and updated documentation needed to keep CommuteAir flying safely. I’ve been with the organization for seven years and have been a fan of aviation my whole life.
What got you into aviation?
I got hooked on Aviation at an early age – my first flight was at age 3 when we moved overseas for my dad’s job. He was an Engineering Photographer and took pictures of rotary assemblies and other aircraft components, so I got a lot of exposure to the industry. On the KLM flight from NYC to Paris during the move I was invited up to the cockpit and stayed there for hours! You could do that sort of thing in 1978.
Tell us a little about your past, and future dreams for your career.
As a kid I wanted to be a pilot (of course) but being hearing impaired, that wasn’t a realistic option – so I was always looking at other ways to get into aviation. I became interested in engineering after the Challenger Disaster and doing a science project on the rocket booster O-rings. The Disaster had a great effect on me: Ronald McNair was one of my heroes at the time and continues to be. After High School I went to university to study Aerospace Engineering but unfortunately did not finish. I sort of fell into a tech Writing career as a backup plan and have been doing that for over 20 years. I eventually went back to school for engineering and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree this past May! I’d like to put my degree to use and eventually switch to an engineering career while remaining in the Aerospace field.
Is there a moment in Black history that influenced you or helped shape your career?
Some of my heroes growing up were Black aviators and astronauts – Gem Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Ronald McNair, and Mae Jemison. The Challenger disaster had a great effect on me, and I chose to do a research project on the event in school that further fostered my interest in the field. Their experiences and sacrifices inspired me to get into aviation and engineering and continue to do so.
What’s been your experience being Black working in aviation?
My experience overall has been positive – aviation has always been a meritocratic field, so if you can show that you have the skills to succeed, opportunities will open for you. The airline industry specifically is very diverse on an international level and is sort of unique in that aspect. Domestically diversity could be better, and I think the biggest challenge is making kids aware of the opportunities in aviation.
What advice would you give to future aviators?
Stay true to your goals but keep your eyes and your options open – there are lots of interesting careers in the aviation field that may not be obvious to most people…who tend to think only of airline pilots and flight attendants!
What advice would you give to a young Black person?
Once you discover your passion, be proactive in finding opportunities, don’t expect others to bring them to you! Also, think globally. There’s a big world out there that looks very different from what we experience here in the US. Make time to travel and expand your horizons.