Carolyn George poses beside the propeller of an airplane engine. - photo courtesy of Skills Canada NWT/Nunavut

George is working toward her aircraft maintenance engineer licence by taking classes through Buffalo Air's training program and working there as an apprentice

She loves the work.

"I like airplanes. I flew for the first time when I was 18 and wondered what made them work," she said.

"I always liked fixing stuff when I was a kid."

Describing herself as a tomboy while growing up, she said she remembers hanging out with the boys instead of going to the mall with the girls.

"I had my Barbies, but I liked GI Joes.

"And I played tackle soccer and I played rugby in high school," said George.

Despite her career choice, airplanes weren't her first love.

"When I graduated I applied for 3-D animation at St. Mary's University in Nova Scotia, which is where I am from," she said.

When her parents decided to make the long trek northwest to Yellowknife, she was given a choice.

"They said, do you want to go to university, or do you want to move across the country?" she recalled.

She said she picked the latter because it was a great opportunity to see another part of Canada.

It was also an opportunity to get involved with aircraft maintenance.

"I didn't think I'd be doing something like this, but I love it.

"I like getting in there and getting dirty," she said.

Although George has chosen a trade as her career path, she said it's not for everyone.

"If you're not afraid to work, then go for it," she said.

"It depends on the person. I didn't want to spend $40,000 at university and come out with nothing to go to."

After completing her apprenticeship, she said, she'll have a job to go to.

There are also a few basic skills you need, George pointed out.

One is a general knowledge in math and physics.

The second is legible handwriting.

Lastly, she said, it's important to know when to ask for help.

"No one knows everything about an airplane," she advised.

Aside from loving her job, the money isn't bad either.

A licensed aircraft maintenance engineer can make around $30 an hour.

As a first-year apprentice she is making $13.50 an hour.

Along with school and apprenticing, George is also raising a four-year-old daughter, Devon, who likes watching mom at the hangar but doesn't plan on becoming a mechanic.

When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she replied proudly, "a bus driver."