By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Jane Rooney, UL Marketing and Communications.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences student Allyson Bautista spent her undergraduate years at George Mason breaking barriers by becoming the first pilot in her family and finding her voice through self-discovery and mentorship. Through resilience, support networks, passion, and self-advocacy, the winter 2025 graduate found success blending two different fields: public relations and aviation.
Before she ever sat in the cockpit of a plane, Bautista had to learn the courage to speak up. That small shift—from staying silent to starting conversations—became the foundation of both her public relations journey and her dream of becoming a pilot.
Dreaming at 30,000 feet
Before considering college and public relations, Bautista’s mind was on being a pilot. “I was thinking of flying long before anything else,” she said. “I went to Japan for my first solo trip seated in the back of a Boeing 777. And I told myself, I don’t want to be sitting in the back of the plane. I want to be in the front of the plane.”
That moment led to Bautista joining the College of Engineering for a minor in aviation management in 2024. “Now I have the first license, and it still feels unreal. I know that this is aprivilege, given that there aren’t many women in aviation in the United States.”
The milestone carried deeper meaning. “I’m Filipino, and Filipino females tend to be nurses,” she said. “But I broke the culture in my family. I wanted to be a role model for people who are coming from a place where college is a privilege rather than a choice.”
Bautista recalled the first moment when she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be: practicing flight patterns with her coach, feeling a bit nervous and tense during the practice when her coach and co-pilot provided guidance, and listening to music.
“It was a miracle. I landed a plane and realized I could do it and I could continue this entire journey with my instructor supporting me.”
Finding lift in community
As a first-generation student, Bautista struggled to find her footing. “My younger self would never have imagined being where I am. I thought that I’d never attend college because of how much it costs,” she said. “What led me here was persistence. I kept telling myself to be persistent in the things that I really want to do. You have to keep pushing yourself into making a better world for yourself because nobody else can do it for you.”
Through a partnership between George Mason University and the DC College Access Program, Bautista was able to attend college and pursue myriad opportunities, includingconferences, internships, and mentorships. These experiences gave her the chance to explore different majors and passions before choosing her path.
She credits her academic advisor, Megan Tucker, with sharing valuable guidance and suggesting that public relations was a good match for her strengths. “She and some of my professors helped me improve and gave me the encouragement I needed to flourish in all of my courses at George Mason. Dr. Tucker’s recommendation to try public relations allowed me to use my creativity and discover what I wanted to do,” she said.
Support from her professors helped her build her interpersonal and networking skills. “I knew I was on the right path when I worked with my first client in a PR class, someone who genuinely needed strategic communication support and trusted me with their project.”
A push to take flight
With guidance from her mentors, as well as the university’s Success Coaching team, Bautista developed confidence in her degree and her work. “I struggled for a long time to believe in myself, but George Mason helped me see my strengths and reminded me of the potential I often overlooked. What once felt impossible slowly became real because I had the space to grow and the platform to celebrate everything I have worked for.”
To fellow George Mason students who struggle with determining their path, she recommends stepping outside their comfort zone. “Take things one step at a time and make sure that you’re looking after yourself and leaning on friends and family for support. Success comes from being encouraged in the right direction, believing in yourself, and finding the courage to pursue a path that brings you joy and purpose.”