Vanessa Pendleton ’16, Alumna
Islander alumna Vanessa Pendleton ’16 earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). Before she attended TAMU-CC, Pendleton received two Associate of Applied Science degrees: Powerplant Technology and Airframe Technology.
Pendleton’s passion for aviation began at a young age. Her father and grandfather were both pilots and had an airstrip behind their house to fly the family aircraft—a Cessna 172. After Pendleton’s 16th birthday, she soloed her first aircraft, and from there she vowed to learn how to fix airplanes.
After completing high school, Pendleton entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Europe for 4 1/2 years. While in Europe, she took online classes, like physics and calculus, toward an engineering degree. Once she returned to the United States, her education in aviation technology paved the way for her to achieve her Airframe and Powerplant Technician (AMP) license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2003. With the AMP license, Pendleton received a job at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. While she worked as an aircraft mechanic, Pendleton took prerequisite classes at Del Mar College in preparation for an engineering degree.
“I was bound and determined to stay in Corpus Christi,” Pendleton said. “I knew TAMU-CC was the institution for me, so I hoped that there would be an opening in the engineering program for me when the time came.”
Fortunately, Pendleton had run into an official at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) who offered Pendleton a job as an aviation mechanic based on her previous experience. While working for CCAD, Pendleton completed her engineering degree at the Island University in 2016. After graduation, she received a job at Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut, where she was placed as a Field Service Engineer in the Global Sustainment sector. Pendleton worked with customers from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as international militaries, as she traveled the world to perform maintenance on several types of aircraft.
“My education and experience at TAMU-CC gave me a lot of opportunities,” Pendleton said. “They always worked with my schedule because of all the traveling in my career, while also encouraging me through my degree. Overall, TAMU-CC is a very compassionate institution as it pushes you to chase your dreams.”
Today, Pendleton continues to work for Sikorsky Aircraft and has her own charter business, Sunset Sail Charters, where she teaches individuals how to sail, fish, camp, and kayak. To learn more about the company’s offerings, call 936.433.8884.