Maya Haworth Kick-Starts Her Aviation Safety Career

Cultivating Early Curiosity

Maya Haworth (’27) is already setting herself up for a successful career. Pursuing a B.S. in Aeronautics with minors in Aviation Safety and Business Administration, Maya knew these disciplines were a fit long before she set foot on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Florida Campus.

A teacher persuaded Maya to apply to Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus while in her high school’s aerospace career tech program.

“I decided to take the chance and apply, and from that point on, I worked really hard throughout high school to make it possible,” she shared. “I’m really glad I pushed myself because it led me to where I am today.”

She is homing in on the crucial role of aviation safety in her studies and professional pursuits.

“Since safety is such a critical part of aviation, I wanted to make sure I fully understand it from multiple perspectives.”

Her enthusiasm and ambition have already led her down an impressive path.

Soaring Beyond the Classroom

Maya’s internships at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines have deepened her appreciation for safety practices in aviation and learning at large.

While producing a more user-friendly medical guide for the FAA, she began to understand the vast reach and impact that safety-focused initiatives have on the aviation industry. Swiftly following her FAA internship, Maya joined the American Airlines team as an air safety investigator and emergency planning and response intern. She developed a safety investigation project while working with various FAA safety programs.

“I was able to collaborate with experts across the industry and gain insight into the medical side of the decisions the FAA makes,” she elaborated. “That experience also helped me with my projects at American Airlines by strengthening my ability to work on team projects and understand how aviation safety is applied in the real world.”

Putting Lessons into Action

Maya applied her takeaways from the internships to her coursework, which brought the material to life for her.

Moreover, Maya began to understand what a future career as an accident investigator could look like — and she liked what she saw. Her genuine interest and hard work secured her return to the American Airlines safety team for summer 2026.

“What I’m most excited about is returning to a team I grew really close with and being able to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve built during my time at Embry-Riddle and from last summer’s internship.”

As Maya’s resume expands, her professional experiences off campus and leadership roles on campus continue to complement one another.

Leadership Paves the Way

Maya initially joined the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) student chapter as the treasurer. Now in her third year, Maya serves as the president, connecting with professionals in the field, organizing events and furthering ISASI’s mission of promoting air safety education.

“I got involved through a recommendation from my professor, [Associate Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Instructor] Anthony Brickhouse, who suggested it would be a great fit given my goal of becoming an accident investigator,” she shared.

“I decided to pursue the president position because I wanted to take on a leadership role and help other students who share the same passion for aviation safety.”

Almost one year into the position, leadership has taken on a whole new meaning for Maya. She is fostering an environment where students can turn passion into action just as her mentors and supervisors have done for her.

“I’ve learned how to communicate effectively, support others and lead by example,” she said. “It has also taught me the importance of being approachable and creating an environment where people feel encouraged to get involved, ask questions and grow.”

Through leadership, Maya is learning the art of putting safety first.

Endless Opportunities at Embry-Riddle

The people and opportunities at Embry-Riddle have confirmed for Maya that she’s in the right field.

Maya credits Anthony Brickhouse and Leo Martinez, an assistant professor in the Applied Aviation Sciences department, for their support. She also notes that Zoe Messenger, an aviation safety coordinator and adjunct professor in the Aeronautical Science Department, has continued to inspire her.

Where curiosity has brought her questions, excellent professors and mentors have guided her in seeking the answers. She encourages students to embrace traits like curiosity and confidence when trying new things and to lean into the opportunities available to them.

“Be a sponge for information and really take advantage of everything around you,” she shared. “Some of the best growth comes from simply showing up and being curious!”

Maya’s passion for becoming an accident investigator has flourished during her time at Embry-Riddle. She plans to continue channeling her enthusiasm and skills into a meaningful impact on aviation safety in her early career and beyond.