Navigating Confidence and Career Progression, Joi Schweitz

I’m an airline pilot, keynote speaker, founder, and mentor to women globally. But I didn’t start here.

I began my aviation career as a flight attendant. I loved the skies, but I knew I was called to more. I wanted to be in the flight deck. I wanted responsibility. I wanted the weight of decision-making. I wanted to stretch myself!

The path wasn’t at all glamorous though as it required humility, studying when I was tired, training when others were resting, and believing in myself when there weren’t many people who looked like me in the room.

I moved from the cabin to the flight deck, and eventually experienced an in-flight engine failure during landing at 300 feet. That moment changed me. It refined my leadership under pressure. It taught me that when you master yourself, you master the moment.

That experience later led to receiving the Daedalian Award for superior airmanship.

Today, I speak and mentor on resilience, leadership under pressure, and self-mastery… Aviation doesn’t just build pilots, it builds leaders.

What has been your biggest personal challenge navigating career progression?

If I’m honest? Internal ceilings.

The aviation industry is demanding. It requires precision, discipline, and consistency. But the greatest battle isn’t always technical; it’s mental.

Early on, I had to confront doubts:

Am I capable?

Do I belong here?

Will I be taken seriously?

No one handed me confidence.

Career progression is about expanding identity. You must see yourself at the next level before anyone else does!

For me, the biggest challenge wasn’t lack of opportunity… it was learning to occupy space fully once I earned it.

Through your work mentoring high-achieving women, what barriers do you most commonly see?

The most common barrier isn’t skill. It’s hesitation.

Women are often extraordinarily prepared… sometimes over-prepared — yet still waiting for permission.

I see:

-Perfectionism disguised as professionalism

-Fear of visibility

-Waiting to feel “ready”

-Shrinking in rooms where they absolutely belong

In aviation and beyond, senior progression requires more than competence. It requires voice.

And many women were taught to be agreeable before they were taught to be authoritative.

What external factors or support systems do you believe make the biggest positive difference?

Three things make a powerful difference:

1. Mentorship that stretches.

The right mentor will not coddle you. They elevate your thinking and hold you accountable to your potential.

2. Sponsorship.

Someone willing to say your name in rooms you’re not in yet. That matters tremendously in aviation!

3. Community.

Women who normalize excellence. When you’re surrounded by high standards, growth becomes natural.

I also believe that visibility matters. When young women see someone who looks like them in leadership roles…especially in aviation, something tends to shift internally. Possibility becomes tangible.

Later in an aviation career, which skills matter most for continued progression?

Technical excellence is assumed. At senior levels, differentiation comes from:

• Emotional regulation under pressure

• Clear communication

• Decisive leadership

• Situational awareness beyond the flight deck

• Mentorship of others

In high-stakes environments, the ability to remain calm, make timely decisions, and communicate clearly during turbulence is critical.

Also, adaptability. Aviation evolves. Technology evolves. Leadership must evolve as well.

One piece of advice to a woman ready for her next step but hesitant?

Just move.

Clarity does not come from waiting. It comes from movement.

If you feel the pull toward that next level, that feeling didn’t arrive randomly. Growth is uncomfortable because identity is shifting.

You do not need to feel fearless!

You need to act aligned.

Preparation builds confidence.

Action builds momentum.

Momentum builds belief!

And once you take the step, you’ll realize you were ready long before you thought you were.

IG: TheJoiSchweitzer 

TikTok: JoiRideHigh