HAI/ROBB COHEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Pay it forward: Helping fellow
veterans negotiate
their transition to the civil helicopter
industry, as shown here during the
Mil2Civ Transition Workshop at
HAI HELI-EXPO
2020, is a passion for Stacy.
The Power of Networking:
Advice from Stacy Sheard To a hiring manager, aviation professionals may all look the same on paper. It’s your personal connections that will make the difference in landing that first job or keeping your career moving.
“Someone may be extensively experienced, have the perfect resume, and their social media is on point, but ultimately the deal is always rooted in the personal connections made along the way,” HAI Chair Stacy Sheard says. “Think of every single interaction you have with someone in the helicopter industry as a potential job interview. It’s a small industry—that new pilot you’re training could someday connect you with your dream job.” Here’s what Stacy recommends to ensure you stand out.
Start Early. Reach out to potential employers early. Even if you’re several months to years from meeting the requirements to work at an employer, you can lay the groundwork by making that first connection.
Make It Personal. Visit in person whenever possible. Asking questions, showing your positive personality, and listening go a long way in helping them to remember you.
Listen and Learn. Follow advice if it’s offered. Your future employer will notice your focus when you’re eligible for their jobs.
Stay in Touch. Once you’ve established a connection, keep it going. See the next three tips for ways to build and strengthen your bonds with other aviation professionals.
Attend Industry Events. Attend networking opportunities like HeliSuccess, HAI’s Military-to-Civilian Transition Workshop, HAI HELI-EXPO, career fairs, and even local social gatherings of fellow aviation professionals to make meaningful, genuine connections.
Be Part of the Community. Participate in helicopter and aviation organizations, volunteering when you can. The experience gained and connections you make will serve you throughout your career.
Give What You Get. Networking is about building genuine connections, not scoring the most business cards. Keep it real, and take every opportunity to help or mentor others.
instruction around the world. It was during this time she experienced the global helicopter industry firsthand. “It was eye-opening to learn most places don’t know how
to treat helicopters,” she recalls. “Tere were so many coun- tries learning to embrace the helicopter industry and so little knowledge about how to do so. For instance, at one airport in India, I was lined up on the taxiway behind seven jets waiting to take off. Tey had no helicopter takeoff procedures. Experiences like these showed me how HAI can be of real value overseas.” By 2014, Stacy’s reputation in the industry was growing. An insurance company, MassMutual Financial Group, recruited her from Sikorsky, offering her the chance to fly the AW139, an aircraft that piqued her interest. In 2015, she was recruited again, this time by Michael Rubin, majority owner and CEO of Kynetic, a holding company for e-commerce retailers Fanatics, Rue La La, and ShopRunner. Today Stacy has flown more than 9,000 hours and holds
an ATP helicopter rating and type ratings in the S-70, S-92, and AW139. In addition to her helicopter training, she found the time to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Stacy continues to fly for Rubin’s Fanatics as an AW139
captain, transporting Rubin and other executives to multiple offices, sporting events, and business meetings around the northeastern United States. Fanatics also owns a Gulfstream 550. Te company directly employs four helicopter and three
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