When Goals Take Flight

For 2022 Boeing Scholar Kaylee Lall (’26), her passion for engineering and aviation began in her roots: New Jersey and Guyana, South America. According to the first-generation American and college student, she’s living her dream thanks to her family and the Boeing Scholar program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Kaylee, an Aeronautical Science student who’s also pursuing a minor in Business Administration, was one of 15 students awarded scholarships as a part of a $3 million endowment from Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading aircraft manufacturer.

Although she is busy flying, taking classes and being part of activities on and off campus, Kaylee shared a little about her journey to becoming an Eagle and a Boeing Scholar.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

In high school I played tennis and golf, and I was the first and only person on my golf team to get a hole-in-one while I attended.

What interested you most about Embry-Riddle?

I actually went to a technical county high school — Diana C. Lobosco STEM Academy for the engineering pathway in Wayne, New Jersey. My brother and I also shared a similar interest in mechanical engineering, but I really enjoyed space, planes and everything flight. When I found Embry-Riddle online one day, I asked myself, ‘do I want to be the one working on planes or flying them?’ I even joined a flight school back home, Air Fleet Training Systems, and entered Embry-Riddle with about nine hours from that.

When I came across Embry-Riddle I was like – Florida; Daytona Beach; it's right by the racetrack; and it’s just lovely. Any opportunity I could have to come here, I would definitely take it – no matter what.

What have you experienced as a Boeing Scholar, so far?

When we visited the Boeing facility in Charleston, it’s huge. I mean, you feel like an ant in the whole entire building. But so is the aviation industry – I mean you can come from any job or come from anywhere, and work for Boeing. There are so many roles you can play.

The [Boeing Scholars] program helps us better understand how Boeing works and gets students out there through networking. We also just had a luncheon with Tammie Jo Shults, one of the first female fighter pilots to serve in the United States Navy.

What is your favorite Embry-Riddle experience so far?

Aside from flying, the industry/career expo. We all dressed up! I actually was able to speak to multiple companies, but one of them is actually stationed at an airport a half hour from me in Teterboro, New Jersey. Based off our conversation, I may have an internship opportunity with them this summer.

I went into the career fair not knowing what to say or what to do, but I went up to booths and explained who I was. For me, I like to work with people who I can have a good conversation with.

Are you involved in student organizations at the Daytona Beach Campus?

I'm a part of Women in Aviation, internationally and at Embry-Riddle, and the Women Ambassadors Association, which is a mentoring program. They give us advice, help us with resumes and build on our knowledge to go into career fairs. The Women Ambassadors also help members register for the right classes which is a big help.

What are your plans after you graduate?

My goal is to be a corporate or private pilot, specifically for private jets. My overall goal is to build my own private jet company. Eventually I want to get more into the ‘business part’ through my minor but flying has been most of my focus right now.

What advice would you give to future students?

Just to keep going – keep your head down, stay focused and make sure you achieve all that you want to. Plus — be able to step back and appreciate yourself and celebrate all your achievements.