In Bustle's Quick Questions, we asked female leaders for all their advice—from the best mentoring they've ever received to what they're still figuring out. Here, Icelandair First Officer Ida Björg Wessman shares her journey of following a lifelong passion and turning it into a career.
One piece of advice Icelandair co-pilot Ida Björg Wessman gave to her younger self is simple: “If you really want something,” Wessman tells Bustle, “then You just have to go for it—nothing can stop you if you want to.”
Björg Wessman didn't need to go back in time to impart these words of wisdom to her younger self: Regardless, she seems to be following this inspiring advice throughout her career. She began flying as a child and, like her father, knew throughout her life that she wanted to be a professional pilot. "I've always wanted this, and I've been fighting for it for a long time," she tells Bustle. “I knew it would take time and patience – but I stayed focused.”
That focus paid off: she started her career at the Icelandic Flight Academy as a flight instructor, then joined Icelandair as a co-pilot in 2016 and has been piloting flights ever since.
In addition to the hard work involved in actually becoming a pilot, Björg Weisman certainly had to overcome the stereotype that piloting is a "man's job"—a path she hopes to encourage women to pursue if they have the inner Words of Desire. “There are a lot of men in the industry, so I think it’s important to promote that it’s for women as well,” she shared. “I would definitely like to see more female pilots — so if that’s something women want to do. It’s important that they do it. "
Now, Björg Wessman is entering a new phase of his career: balancing career with motherhood. She recently became a mother and took maternity leave in early 2019 before returning to Icelandair in May 2019 to continue doing what she loves: flying.
Here, Björg Wessman shares with Bustle some of the advice she's listened to (and ignored) during her career, how to return to work after maternity leave, and some pro tips from frequent flyers on how to feel good on a plane and why Turbulence is nothing to be afraid of.
What’s on your current to-do list?
Ida Björg Wessman: Basically my to-do list is to get back to work! I haven't flown in about 10 months, so on my to-do list these days is just reading up on everything I've missed during this time, just to refresh my memory. And then I come back and, you know, do my job to the best of my ability.
At the end of the day, how do you get out of work mode?
IBW: You know, in my job it's easy because you can't really take the plane home! When I leave the airport, I probably only have a few things to do, but I'll do them on the way home because we have a shuttle or something. And then when I walk in the door, I'm 100 percent home because I can't really take that much work with me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
IBW: I was always told that you can do anything you want if you want it enough. I use it a lot in my life and in my career as well. So maybe: you can do whatever you want if you want it enough.
How about the worst career advice you’ve ever received?
IBW: Well, I was once told that I couldn't be a pilot because I was a woman, because you couldn't really have a family, and because the kids needed their mother at home, so I shouldn't do it. Don't do this. This is probably the worst advice I've ever received.
What advice are you looking for at this stage of your career?
IBW: I had a baby a few months ago, and I've been looking for advice over the past few weeks on how best to get back to work after having a baby, in a job that's not like a 9-to-5 or something. Over the past few months, I have been listening to some advice from other pilots who have been in similar situations. I have a friend who had her baby a few months before me so I took advantage of her a lot.
What would you tell someone new to your industry?
IBW: I would tell them if you want to be a pilot, you need to be patient. a lot of. Because it's very unstable and has a lot of ups and downs. Finding a job can be difficult, especially one you want to do long-term. So, you know, it takes a lot of patience. And then I think it's very important that if you want to be a pilot you have to really love flying - otherwise I think it's the most boring job in the world if you don't love it. So patience and a love of flying are key!
What's your backup plan?
IBW: I've thought about it because, like I said, it's pretty fluid - but I haven't really figured out what I want to do. I have a few things going on, but right now I'm just hoping everything goes well.
Out of curiosity, how do you deal with the physical effects of flying?
IBW: I think when you're flying, it's a combination of the high altitude and the very, very dry air inside the plane. So you're kind of dry and that's probably how people feel, the key is to drink a lot of water when traveling...and then it's important to get up and take a walk once in a while to go to the bathroom and stuff, just to get the blood flowing.
But for me, it's never really been an issue. I did fly a lot as a kid and teenager, and I didn't really feel bad after the flight. To me it's not really a problem, never has been. But I did drink a lot of water to compensate for the dry air, and I stood up as much as I could and just stretched my legs a little before sitting back down.
Finally, this is a question on behalf of everyone who is afraid of airplanes. Is there anything to worry about in-flight turbulence?
IBW: No, not at all. I always advise people to buckle up because the biggest worry during turbulence is that if you're not buckled up, you could hit your head on the overhead bin or something. But turbulence itself is not a cause for concern. This is indeed a normal thing and the least of my worries. Flying is very safe. I’m more scared of driving to the airport than sitting on a plane. I feel as safe on the plane as I do on my couch at home.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
