South Bend air traffic manager Toni Ferrel never dreamed of an aviation career, nor has she had a lifelong fascination with aircraft. Instead, Ferrel stumbled on the aviation industry when searching government job posts. An opening with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) led to an application, which led to an entry-level job, which led to a colleague who suggested a controller job, which led to a career that Ferrel never suspected would be so fulfilling. Now, she manages the FAA's air traffic control (ATC) facility in South Bend, Indiana. "I didn't start out with a passion for aviation but I can't imagine doing anything else now," Ferrel says. Ferrel credits her career successes partly to guidance received from several key mentors. At 39, she has much room to run. But Ferrel is already giving back by sharing her experience with young women in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. She wants girls to know that they, too, can have an aviation career.
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