When Beatriz Coutinho graduated with a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineer-ing in 2022, she expected a clear and straightforward transition into an engineering role. Like many other graduates, she imagined herself in a technical role, where she would be designing complex systems, applying all the theories she had spent years learning, and being at the forefront of innovation. The reality proved itself to be more nuanced and far more instructive. Beatriz offers her perspective on entering this profession, some of the lessons she has learned so far, and how safety principles have come to shape not only how she works, but how she thinks.