Meet Marriam Masood the Only Female Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Saudi Arabia
Since birth, my favourite toys were aircraft, be it stuffed toys or plastic/metallic ones, instead of dolls. I was always spellbound by flying objects. As I grew up, a rarity in females had become a part of my personality, my zeal and zest in Engineering and Technology. I knew my computer, video games, toys and everything related to electronics/technology, inside out! Dismantling them out of curiosity or fixing them when not working properly had become a hobby.
Every alternate year, my family went to Karachi, Pakistan to meet our maternal grandparents. A few of those trips were on aeroplanes, so my interest in aeronautical/aerospace engineering began as the airliners movable surfaces fascinated me throughout the journey while I had a good look outside the window. I loved travelling via planes as compared to other transport but due to some financial constraints, even though my parents worked day and night to avoid living on a shoestring budget, that was seldom possible. I used to make notes in my mind that I would definitely choose aviation as my career, travel around the world and one day I might have my own aeroplane.
My love for STEM grew stronger as I excelled during school, academically as well as in various competitions. After participating in the NASA sponsored Asian Regional Space Settlement and Design Competition (ARSSDC), in India, it had become very clear that aviation engineering must be pursued for my undergraduate. Soon after being unable to get into the Airforce College of Aeronautical Engineering due to my board examination schedule clash with their appointment dates, and realizing there was no similar option for female candidates, with immense support from my parents and brothers, I got enrolled in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (B1) Diploma program, at Lahore Aerodrome, Pakistan.
From that day onwards, although I worked 24/7 to complete my working hours along with semester credit hours, I was able to get indulged in the activities I was always passionate about, from making remote-controlled planes to getting hands-on experience on live aircraft. Meanwhile, it also became clear that getting a university degree accredited by our national Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) is imperative for good standing in this competitive field and so I got enrolled in BE Mechanical Engineering and strived for its timely completion along with my full-time employment. All these events successfully led me towards the achievement of my professional life: EASA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s License (Airframe and Powerplant). While existing as the only girl in my family to choose aviation as my career, I had my fair share of hurdles but I never let anything come in the way of my passion and remained motivated. After so many years, now my family is extremely proud of me and my experience in the aviation industry positively helped me develop proficiency in various tasks ranging from heavy maintenance to inspections and planning.
Recently, I got a chance to study certificate courses from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I have also been appointed as the President of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) here in the KSA, and have also been registered by the national Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE). Being a female, unfortunately, it is very difficult to find employment in aviation maintenance, but I’m currently working as the Safety and Quality Officer at a very reputable aviation firm. As I am working towards accomplishing (B2) Avionics as well, I’m counting on my luck to get it endorsed on my AML soon. I truly hope this brief overview will be considered worthwhile. My mission is to unite and mobilize aviation professionals and promote aspiring youngsters especially to encourage women in aviation (engineering).
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