She prefers overalls, spanners

'It's just cool to understand how an engine works.'

- Hein Kaiser

Apologies to '80s aftershave brand Aqua Velva's payoff line in advance, but meeting Gen Z Kara Nithyakalayani Gordon is like an ice cold slap in the face. Not because it's in reproach, but because it's refreshing. Here's a young woman who has not set her eyes on a career TikToking or YouTubing or influencing. She prefers the workshop to screen time and real work to flimflam.

"I want to be an aircraft engineer," she said. "Ever since I was little, I've been fascinated by how planes work. They weigh tons, yet they fly. The mechanics, the aerodynamics. It's just fascinating."

And she is intent on making her dreams come true even though she only left school last year. Gordon has already started mapping out her route into the industry, with plans to study, job shadow and work towards gaining hands-on experience.

"I don't just want to learn about it in a classroom. I want to be in a hangar, working on real aircraft."

She said she has been actively searching for internship opportunities and knocking on doors. And when she's not on the hunt for opportunity, Gordon's also learning about diesel engines.

"It's just cool to understand how an engine works," she said.