Shyanne Smith – Student/Drone Pilot
My name is Shyanne Smith. I am 18 years old, and I am a second-year UCSD student studying Communications with a minor in American Sign Language. I am an FAA Certified Part 107 drone pilot, which means I am able to fly drones commercially. I received this certification through a program called Girl’s Take Flight at the Elementary Institute of Science, which is where I now work as an instructor. I am also part of a program called Our Genetic Legacy, where I fly drones that have LIDAR Technology in order to map historical sites for a virtual museum we created. I have also launched my own aerial photography and Videography business called “Shyanne Smith’s Professional Drone Services.”
I was born and raised in San Diego, Specifically the Rancho San Diego area. I went to Holly Drive Leadership Academy for k-8 and went to Health Sciences High and Middle College for 9-12. I have two sisters and a bunny named Mr. Blue. During my free time, I like hanging out with friends and family, reading and writing. My favorite color is pink, and my favorite animal is an elephant.
About Shyanne Smith
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently, I work at the Elementary Institute of Science as a Drone Instructor, and I have loved every minute of it! My favorite part is watching girls like me share the same interest in drones that I have. I enjoy helping them get their Part 107 certification and showing them about career paths they may have never considered or heard of. I also work at the UCSD Black Student Union as an access coordinator, and I am so blessed to have this position and absolutely love it. My favorite part is doing work that makes a difference and inspires black high school students to pursue higher education. I especially love when I see a student I worked with committing to a 4-year university or trade school.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
The best advice I could give to people is that you only fail when you stop trying. Whatever goal you are trying to achieve, work hard, remember your worth is not defined by the goal, and remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13)
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years, I see myself as a journalist and a pilot. I see myself traveling the world and writing about all of my travels.
Read about Shyanne Smith at Faces of San Diego
