From aviation enthusiast to future pilot: Toria's journey to the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy
Meet Toria, an alumna of our Air Transport Management MSc, whose ambition to become a commercial pilot has been shaped by her passion for aviation, industry knowledge and the connections she has built along the way.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Business Management at the University of Surrey, Toria returned to study Air Transport Management MSc, looking to build her understanding of the aviation industry and find her direction within it.
Now, following a seven-month assessment process, Toria has been offered a place on the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy, crediting the knowledge, encouragement and industry connections she gained during her masters with helping her develop the confidence to pursue that ambition.
Learning from the people shaping the industry
A particularly valuable part of Toria's experience was the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working across aviation. Guest speakers from global airlines, airports and aviation sustainability organisations shared their experiences, discussed current industry challenges and offered advice on building a career in the sector. Ahead of graduating, Toria shared:
"Each guest speaker has provided valuable insights to the industry.... They have all been so open in becoming part of our network, offering advice in shaping our career paths. Seeing how passionate they still are by aviation, brings a huge amount of confidence approaching the industry."
Alongside these opportunities, Toria highlights the support of her lecturers and course leaders, whose academic knowledge and professional experience helped bring course content to life.
Toria reflects on the enthusiasm of one lecturer in particular, Dr Frankie O’Connell, in a message following her British Airways offer:
"I wanted to thank you for teaching me that there is no dream too big to achieve. I can honestly say throughout my masters, one thing that always stuck with me was how ecstatic and magical you see aviation and I hope that I continue to have this through my whole career and beyond.
The knowledge I learnt from your lectures, I tried to bring into every stage of the assessment process, as well as hold it in my motivation, and it gave me the confidence to keep going and enjoy the whole process."
Finding your own route into aviation
For anyone considering a future in aviation, Toria's advice is to avoid putting limits on what your career journey might look like. "It is okay to have discovered your passion later, it doesn't have to be something you have always loved or a dream you have always had, just having a passion is enough.”
She also encourages prospective students not to underestimate how their existing experiences and skills can translate into the aviation industry.
"Remember everyone is on their own journey, with different time frames, it is never too late to follow your true passion, it can only take you in the right direction." Her final advice is simple: "Do it, do it, DO IT!"
We wish Toria the best of luck as she prepares for the next stage of her journey with British Airways!
You can explore the range of postgraduate masters programmes Surrey offers here including our Air Transport Management MSc.