Stop Letting Other People Define What's Possible for You: Aisha Bowe on Building a Career on Your Own Terms
What if the thing holding you back isn't your ability, but a belief you've carried because someone else told you what you could or couldn't do?
For Aisha Bowe, that question became a turning point. As a high school student, she was told she might not be suited for STEM. For a time, she believed it. But she eventually decided that someone else's assessment of her potential would not determine the direction of her life.
That decision helped set her on a remarkable path, from community college to an aerospace engineering degree at the University of Michigan, a career at NASA, entrepreneurship, and ultimately, spaceflight.
Today, Aisha is a former NASA aerospace engineer, award-winning entrepreneur, and citizen astronaut who has built businesses, expanded access to STEM education, and helped advance research beyond Earth. Her journey is a powerful example of what can happen when you stop treating other people's expectations as the limits of your own potential.
In her Career Navigation Summit keynote, Aisha shares how she learned to challenge self-doubt, pursue ambitious goals, and build a career on her own terms. She also offers practical strategies for professionals at any stage, including how to document your accomplishments so you're prepared to advocate for yourself, use AI as a career planning resource, and recognize when discomfort may be a signal that it's time for something new.
One of her most important reminders is that you don't have to feel completely ready before you take the next step. You can raise your hand for an opportunity before you meet every qualification. You can ask for the promotion. You can explore a different direction, even when the path isn't fully mapped out. And you can change your mind about a dream you've worked hard to achieve when it no longer fits the life you want.
Whether you're questioning your next career move, working toward a leadership opportunity, or trying to imagine a future that looks different from the one others expect of you, Aisha's story offers both encouragement and practical ways to move forward.
Watch the full panel inside the APN
The complete conversation is available now in the AdaMarie Professional Network, alongside every other session from this year’s summit.
Inside, you’ll find:
The full summit replay library, including the sessions you couldn’t catch live
Live workshops and expert conversations year-round
Our spring Career Accelerator
A growing library of career resources
A Slack community full of people navigating their next steps right alongside you
