Industry Shift Spurs Bizav YoPros to Mentor

A generational shift in business aviation is motivating younger industry professionals to step into mentorship roles earlier in their careers – often while still being mentored themselves.

Many of these younger professionals say they don’t need to wait until they have decades of experience before sharing what they’ve learned. They’re eager to pass along a few practical keys to success, while also staying open to lessons from colleagues with different backgrounds and more time in the industry.

“Mentorship was once seen as something you step into after years of experience, but there’s not a single moment when it’s time,” said Cory Evans, founder and CEO of the SkyLimit Foundation. “What’s happening in business aviation right now is not just a shift in workforce, but a shift in responsibility,” adding that professionals with a decade or so of experience often have valuable perspectives to share and an opportunity to help lead the next generation.

The SkyLimit Foundation is a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to introducing inner-city youth to aviation through membership, hands-on education and industry access. Evans’ entire career is based around bringing awareness of aviation careers to and mentoring the youngest generation in aviation.

Those involved in NBAA’s Young Professionals in Business Aviation initiative, also known as YoPros, say younger mentors can act as a bridge between experienced workers and the next generation entering the workforce but there is value mentoring from experienced professionals and newer ones. Experienced generations have decades of wisdom to share, while younger professionals are close enough to their own entry into the industry to remember what it feels like to be new – and the challenges that come with it.

Joshua Bell, senior engineer of interior research and development at Textron Aviation, explained that there’s a common perception that you earn the right to mentor later in your career, but younger professionals have plenty to offer. They remember early-career uncertainty and the challenges of getting started. To him, mentoring is about helping someone navigate the basics and figure out where they fit in the industry.

The Path to Mentorship

For many younger professionals, being mentored by an experienced colleague becomes the inspiration to mentor others in turn.

Flight attendant Lauren Baum, founder of CabinsInTheSky, never intended to pursue a career in business aviation. She holds a master’s degree in sports administration, but mentors introduced her to the industry and guided her early steps. While she values mentorship, she also encourages new aviation professionals to choose mentors thoughtfully to have authentic, vulnerable conversations with their mentors.

“Keep your mentor circle small enough that those people actually know you and have your best interests at heart,” said Baum.

Evans has found that having mentors can help professionals stay grounded. “Growth happens when you stay in rooms where you are still learning and still being challenged,” he said. “Being a mentee builds humility and keeps you open to growth. Good leaders still have mentors – even at a high level, people are still developing.”

Mentorship Comes With Benefits

Bell grew up in Wichita, KS – sometimes referred to as the “Air Capital of the World” – where he benefited from people who invested in him early – a mentee experience that eventually drove him mentor. In college, he worked with a program that supports STEM coursework.

“I learned that building a strong talent pipeline matters as much as any individual destination,” said Bell, who has participated in Textron Aviation’s mentorship program as both a mentee and a mentor. “Mentoring forces you to stay sharp. It’s not just about what you do, but why you do it that matters, “That discipline makes you a better professional, and the energy is contagious.”

Evans said mentoring has made him more intentional. “People don’t just listen to what you say; they watch how you lead,” he said. “It raises the standard for how you show up.”

Be Open, Honest and Transparent

Many mentors encourage professionals who are currently in mid-career – or even with just a handful of years on the job – to reach out to the industry’s newest entrants.

Having a small gap in age and experience between mentor and mentee can feel disconcerting at first. But you don’t have to know everything or hold an official leadership title to be helpful. What matters is being open, honest and clear about what you’ve learned.

Transparency is key in a mentee/mentor relationship, said Baum.

“It can be daunting to offer your own guidance to the newest professionals in our industry,” she said. “Maybe you think you don’t know enough yet or haven’t seen enough yet. Be transparent about what you know and don’t know. If you’re reflective enough to translate your experience for new entrants, there’s no downside.

“I used to be more competitive, but I’ve learned it’s best to lift as you rise,” Baum added. “I’ve never lost an opportunity by helping someone else.”

If you’re not sure you have enough experience to share, Bell says three key characteristics make a good mentor at any age: Be kind, think critically and keep pushing yourself. “It doesn’t take tenure to be a good mentor; it just takes caring enough to show up.”