Growing up in a village near Zurich Airport as the daughter of a former Swissair chef and with a mother who loved to travel, it was almost predictable that Jeannine would pursue a career in aviation, starting at Zurich Airport. 

"The unique atmosphere of the airport impressed me from the very beginning. The range of roles I've had the opportunity to work in and the countless wonderful people I meet daily enrich my professional life and continue to bring me joy every time I step into work.” - Jeannine

Nadja’s motivation to enter the aviation industry was quite similar, although her journey began with an apprenticeship in a travel agency, followed by the discovery of the fascinating world of international logistics. 

“My biggest dream as a child was to work for an airline, as I grew up in an aviation family. Shortly after taking my first steps into international logistics, my new passion was born and it grew as I started working for a large freight forwarding company, learning about trucking, sea- and airfreight as well as warehouse distribution.” - Nadja

On the other side of the ocean, in the USA, where Aneta is based, the passion for aviation is just as strong as in Zurich. If she were to tell a story about her professional journey, Aneta's story would be called 'unfinished flight':

“My flight began twenty-two years ago as a young college student entering the world of the male-dominated cargo industry. From the early days of learning reservations, operations, customer service and sales, I eventually had the opportunity to become a SWISS employee by supporting the sales organization in the Americas. Now I support customers all over the world as part of the GLOBE team.” - Aneta 

The power of community and team spirit 

Despite a solid male presence in the cargo sector, Aneta, Nadja and Jeannine have always found great acceptance, respect, and opportunities in their line of work. Nadja partly attributes her enriching journey as a woman in logistics to the importance of teamwork and the presence of a shared vision. 

“In my first job after graduating, I was often the only woman in the office, and especially when I was around in the warehouse. Although I was met with some scepticism at first, all concerns were quickly overcome once it became clear that we were all working together towards a common goal.” - Nadja 

When Jeannine started her apprenticeship as a logistics assistant for a handling agent at Zurich Airport, she was also one of the few women, both at school and in the warehouses and offices surrounding the tarmac. However, this reality gave her the opportunity to discover a strong sense of community and empowerment with her peers. 

“Undoubtedly, it is still true that the logistics and cargo sectors are predominantly male, but there is also a strong community of women who empower each other. We feel very comfortable and accepted in the industry.” - Jeannine
 

Logistics – A fascinating industry with an important purpose

According to our interviewees, cargo is a fascinating sector that attracts dedicated and motivated women. If Aneta had to compare herself and women in logistics to a fictional character, there is no doubt in her mind that it would have to be Wonder Woman:

“Wonder Woman's unique blend of bravery, moral integrity and empathy makes her an icon that all professional women should aspire to be in today's competitive workplace.” - Aneta 

When asked about developments witnessed in the logistics industry, Jeannine says that she has already noticed changes over time: in her experience, young girls are increasingly recognising the importance of logistics in connecting people from different countries, religions, and backgrounds around the world. Jeannine herself can only confirm the fascination that the world of logistics holds: 

"At Swiss WorldCargo, we facilitate global connections through airfreight. For example, when we load a ton of delicious Swiss cheese onto a plane bound for New York in the morning, it makes me smile to think that Americans will be able to enjoy a fondue in the evening.” - Jeannine 

“Being a big fan of Disney and all ‘feel-good’ movies in general, I’m happy to be able to relate to most of them as I have my happy ending working for SWISS, doing something I’m passionate about.” - Nadja

We would like to thank Aneta, Nadja and Jeannine for sharing a few insights into their fascinating professional journey with us! 

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