International Women’s Day: Unit head, Crew Control and Rostering of Arik Air

In line with the international women’s day today, Sunday March 8, Mamaj Aviation Blog is celebrating some leading women holding her own in the Aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa, whose story will inspire women out there…These are women who are the power behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark!

The International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  The campaign theme for 2020, is #EachforEqual.

Meet the Unit head – Crew Control and Rostering of Arik Air.

Please introduce yourself, your name, where are you from and current position in your organisation.

My name is Helen Iyeh Enema-Samson , I am from Kogi State and I am the presently the Unit head – Crew Control and Rostering of Arik Air. I was born in kainji, Niger State . I attended NEPA Senior Primary School Kainji and Madonna International Nursery and Primary School, Gwagwalada , Abuja. I had my Secondary education at Federal Government College Ugwolawo, Kogi State and my Tertiary education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State with Bsc. in Geography.

What inspired you to venture into this once male dominated Career.

At some point very youthful time of my life, I just wanted to do something different; I am someone that can easily get bored doing the same things repeatedly, so I decided to venture into a more challenging environment, that’s how I found myself in the Roistering Unit of Integrated Operations Control Centre of Virgin Nigeria.

Give us a brief career history. What schools did you attend?

I started my career in 2004 with Business Travel International (a subsidiary of South African Airways). In 2005, I took up another challenge as Cabin Crew with Virgin Nigeria. In 2007, I opted to take a challenge to be one of the first females to join IOCC as Rostering Officer, I experienced all the tides as the company transitioned from Virgin Nigeria to Nigerian Eagle and finally to Air Nigeria. In 2013, I joined the Arik Air team as Supervisor of the Rostering team and now I have grown to the position of Unit- Head Crew Control and Rostering. In 2019, I became a FAA Licenced Aircraft Dispatcher after attending Jepessen Academy, in Denver Colorado, USA. While trying to grow in the Aviation Industry, I still have a Personal Improvement Plan and interest in Human Resources. I obtained a Diploma in Professional Human Resources Management and became an Associate of Chatered Institution of Personnel Management ACIPM in 2012, I have also attended many Course such as Competency based Selection from Lagos Business School, Fundamentals of Nigerian Labour Law and Expatriate Tax systematics from Hybrid Consult. I still have a passion for Human Resources Management and I am presently running an MBA to specialize in Human Resources Management.

Was it a dream actually or you stumbled into it?

I have always dream of working in the Aviation industry, from my childhood days, I have been interested in weather and watching Meteorologists on TV. I knew that I would end up in the Aviation industry.

How many years have you spent in the industry?

I have invested a total of 17 years in the Aviation industry, Started from being a Reservation and Ticketing agent to Flight Attendant to Rostering and Crew control and now a licensed Dispatcher.

What is your most memorable moment?

I have a lot of high moments in my Career, seeing myself evolving every single day, my professional growth amazes me, moving from one discipline in the industry to the other and being able to master the act of every single one gives me so much contentment. My joy is seeing that the work of my hands is effective to the end user.

How have you been able to balance your work life and family?

I am a wife to the most amazing man in the world and a mother to 2 wonderful Boys. My husband has supported me in every way and he is my number one Mentor, Advisor, Cheer leader and a great listener. My husband and I share similar career and moral values and that makes it very easy for me to strike a balance between my work and my family. We intentionally support each other’s career growth and I make sure I add value when I am around and cherish most of my time with my family.

What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as female?

It is obvious that for a woman to be relevant especially in a male dominated industry, you have to work twice as much as a man to be seen or heard. So it’s a constant struggle to prove myself, but my resilience and hard work has not failed me so far. Men and women to me are equal but women are the smartest.

What advice do you have for the aspiring young women out there who may want to tow your line?

I will advise aspiring young women never to limit themselves. Do not shy away from challenges and leadership roles, Women can achieve anything they want to, all they need to do is be set their minds to it. Never be Afraid to use your voice, whoever they want to be is a choice. Stand tall, show up, be competent, consistently add value and achieve great heights and never stop learning! Follow you passion and the rest will follow.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself running an Airline in the nearest future. I want to give the evolving youths, a very conducive environment to grow in the pace they want to grow without anything holding them down. The world is fast changing and we must move along with the tides or be left out.