Shehla Iftekhar, MSEd., CRC, LMHC

Shehla Iftekhar is an Academic & Career Advisor for York College Aviation Management, which is under the Business & Economics Department. Shehla loves every aspect of her role at CUNY York College. Prior to joining CUNY Aviation Management her work has earned her several distinguished human rights advocacy awards at the New York State level and beyond. Shehla has earned her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication Studies from CUNY Baruch College and dual graduate degrees with distinction in Mental Health Counseling and Vocational Rehab Counseling from Hofstra University in New York. 

Shehla is also a TEDx Speaker, who can speak in five different languages. 

Shehla effectively advocates on behalf of students with financial hardships, disabilities, foreign students or students who are simply leaning towards Aviation as their major. She helps students realize that hard work and perseverance can be a vital step forward to being employed at or even before graduation in the Aviation Industry. The many facets of Aviation are unknown to most students. Shehla makes it her daily duty to inform and mentor students to find a path to a robust career in Aviation. She keeps in mind job retention is harder than just finding a job. Therefore, her effort is to make sure there is a good balance of academics and work experience with a satisfactory salary.

At work, Shehla is responsible for meeting with students to discuss career and academic goals. Shehla’s regular day at work includes creating plans for students’ academia while meeting them, identifying and tracking students’ progress and challenges, and measuring the outcomes. In addition, meeting with students to discuss career and academic goals. And she answers any questions about their chosen academia or career path in Aviation. 

As a career advisor to help build a portfolio, Shehla organizes, and coordinates resume building workshops and mock interview sessions to enhance job-seeking skills. Additionally, she provides feedback from employers that might influence curricula and individual student progress. Shehla also organizes seminars and workshops for students to develop cohort, peer network and professional development. She helps students plan for internships and other employment opportunities in Aviation to build their experience in and exposure to the workplace. 

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How did you get your start working in the aviation industry?

Shehla Iftekhar: I applied for the Academic and Career Advisor position at CUNY. With my Graduate degree in Vocational Counseling, I thought this would be a great match. I have traveled to 67 countries, and being an avid traveler, I could not have asked for a better job than in Aviation. I luckily got selected to become an Academic and career Advisor for Aviation Management at York College, CUNY, the one and only Aviation Program at CUNY.

I am a seasoned counselor and find it gratifying to mentor and guide young aviation students in the ever-robust world of aviation. It is certainly more than being a pilot.

What steps has York College taken to help attract qualified workers?

Shehla Iftekhar: Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has 25 colleges spread across New York City’s five boroughs. These serve more than 225,000 degree-seeking students of all ages and award 50,000 degrees each year. The Aviation program at York College is committed to delivering the highest quality aviation-oriented education, research, and service to our students, college, and university.

The Aviation Management program, part of the Department of Business and Economics of the School of Business and Information Systems, strives to provide students with a top-rated business education that instills strong functional and industry knowledge needed for outstanding practice in Aviation. York Aviation graduates have earned a high reputation in the industry, with many occupying management positions at the three major airports of the greater New York area and airlines based in the US and abroad. 

Aviation Management at York is located right underneath the Air train. Our students can reach any tri-state airport in a matter of minutes. We offer various internships to suit the aviation student’s interests, schedule, and career path. Students have gone as far as Athens Airport in Greece for a Summer Internship. Our convenient location has attracted young moms, career professionals, and the underserved who rely on public transportation.

What is the most significant barrier to finding an airport job in our area?

Shehla Iftekhar: The most significant barrier to finding an airport job is the need for more experience in this field. Networking is critical in the aviation world. Since the Pandemic ended, students have been slow to return to class in person. 

As a result, the tendency to attend classes remotely has become a barrier to employment and job retention. Huge potential and demand in the aviation field continue to attract aviation students to York Aviation Management.

How are the insights of women in leadership roles important in fostering innovation and the commitment to sustainability and inclusivity?

Shehla Iftekhar: In the world of Aviation, there are still some pockets where it’s rare to find a female. However, at York Aviation Management, the department chair, several faculty members, the college president, and my colleague, the industry specialist, are all women. To foster inclusivity and innovation, there is no match for a woman’s insight. Women are now NYPD helicopter pilots, Terminal Directors, astronauts, and Aviation engineers.