Communicaton via the web

I am currently taking a class at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University called Business Communication. I actually thought that it would be one of those classes that you go through without changing your mindset or perspective of things. An example of a class that really changed my perspective was Managerial Economics. Before I took that class, my understanding of economics was basic, but after taking the class I had developed a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The best thing was that I actually enjoyed economics, and that I have been able the concepts to better understand how business work.

My Business Communication class has made a great impact in my life since it has forced me to evaluate myself, and what I communicate to others. As a reaction to what we have learned in class, I decided to start this blog to strengthen my communication skills. I want this to be a forum where I can reflect on personal work as well as evaluate events that occur in the aviation industry. I hope that this blog will communicate who I am and what I stand for, both professionally and personally.

I have also started a Linkedin and Visual CV site, where potential employers and others can view my profile with; resume, cover letter, and references.

Changing Gear

I found an article that was written about me from my sophomore year and it describes the story of how I came to Embry-Riddle. It also explains the reasons why I decided to stay for the full duration of my degree and not leave to go home to Sweden after my freshman year as it was intended. A lot of people actually ask me why I decided to stay in the States and I always come back to the same answer; it was because of the passion and inspiration that I found at Embry-Riddle.

After high school, Hildingsson opened a personal business as a massage therapist. "That’s where I got my interest in business. I knew I wanted to learn the ins and outs of controlling my own company. I didn't expect to do aviation business," she said, "but after two weeks I was inspired by the impressions from other students."

It was interesting to read how my perspective has changed over the past years, but also how some things is still the same. Back then I wanted to work "on the soft side of business", with human resource or something in that area. Today, I am much more open to the "money making side of business", even though I will always have an interest in human development, and how companies conduct ethical and sustainable business practices.

Welcome to my Blog

My name is Nathalie Hildingsson and I am a 25 year old Swedish student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I moved from Sweden three years ago to reach my dream of being a student-athlete at a university in the United States of America. The fall of 2010 will be my last semester at Riddle, as I am a graduating senior in the College of Business, pursuing a degree in Business Administration Management with focus on the aviation industry.

I have always been very dedicated and goal oriented in everything I attempt to do in my life, which includes track and field (I started running when I was seven years old), school, as well as cleaning my room and organizing my sisters’ closets. The dedication and strive to do my very best have helped me in many ways during the years. What I remember the most is when I managed to return to track and field after injuring my right foot in 2004 (I had to walk around with crutches and a cast for six weeks during the summer of 2004), and one year later, winning the 4 by 100 meter relay with my teammates in the Swedish National Championship.

In 2007, two years after graduating high school, I decided that I wanted to move to the States and run track and field at a university. To be honest, school was not the major focus at this time, especially since my dream was to run track and live the American dream for a year, not to get a four year degree in Aviation Business. However, after my first semester at Riddle, I realized that I am a not a person who wants to be average in anything I do in life, and at that point my interest for my degree and aviation had started to grow into a passion.  I knew that I wanted to be as professional with my education as I was with my track and field. I wanted to stay and finish my degree, and I wanted to reach my highest potential, not only as an athlete, but also as a student.  

During the summer of 2010, I participated in the internship program at Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, GA. I worked in the Network Department, and more specifically with Schedule Planning. Schedule Planning at Delta Air Lines involves the process of optimizing the route network to provide a better product for customers, and to be as efficient and effective with aircraft time, which is a very high cost for the airlines.

After graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from Embry-Riddle, I hope to be able to pursue a career within the aviation industry. The aviation industry fascinated me in many ways; people and companies are relying on its existence, but at the same time are not prepared to pay the price of using its service. I believe that there need to be a change in both passenger awareness and legacy carriers operations. The legacy carriers need to find a way of being more efficient in their operations, but still maintain the same level of safety and customer service.  I think that legacy carriers with Delta Air Lines and the new UNITED (the merger between United and Continental airlines that went through in October 2010) are on the right path. With a wide route network system they will be able to accommodate passengers on their travel across the country and the globe, and as a result reach economy of density which will generate revenue for the airlines.

My goal for this blog is to expand my skills in the English written language and reinforce communication skills that will make me more attractive in the job market. I hope that I will be able to give my readers a better understanding of who I am and what I stand for, both professionally and personally. Enjoy reading and I hope to see you back here again!

Over and out