Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee
BIO
Senior flight systems engineer, small business owner, a 3 year old child.
Instagram: @aviateher
Twitter: @K_Ramps @AviateHerUK
Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee
“It was hard to adjust between trying to catch up on work and interrupted sleep at night.”
When I was younger, I was always interested in engineering because I enjoyed Physics, Maths and Art. I went to an airshow with my family and that was when I knew I wanted to be involved in the Aerospace industry.
I completed a Masters degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering, got my first engineering job as a Technical Design Engineer for civil aircraft interiors and after three years applied for the role as a Flight Systems Engineer at BAE Systems. I’ve worked as a Flight Systems Engineer at BAE Systems for seven years now on various aircraft flight systems.
In 2018 I took a year of maternity leave for my first child. Returning to work was a big challenge after a lengthy time off and it was hard to adjust between trying to catch up on work and interrupted sleep at night.
I decided to start working on a new programme that excited me and to remain working part time to help with my work life balance. I’d been so worried about not knowing what to do as a first-time mother and felt like I was winging it but this actually gave me some new confidence which I took forward with me to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain determination.
When my little boy was born the gender stereotyping that I saw from a young age shocked me and so I started volunteering as a mentor and STEM ambassador, wanting to inspire the next generation, especially young girls, to consider a career in STEM.
In 2020 I was selected for the Northern Power Women Future List, won a WATC Rising star in Defence award and a STEM Trailblazer award from The Baton awards. I achieved professional registration as a Chartered engineer and set up my small business, AviateHer, selling pin badges to highlight diversity in STEM and raise money for various charities, with over £2000 raised so far.
I didn’t imagine that I would achieve any of these things, especially after having a child. It’s not been without challenges but with the support of family, friends and colleagues, I have learnt that I can put myself out there and that trying new scary things can be rewarding.