‘Plane Awesome’: Meet Southwest Airlines’ Rachael Hildebrandt

Upon graduating from the A&M-Commerce College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in International Business, Rachael Hildebrandt continued her educational journey, aspiring to soar to new heights.

By Spring 2019, she graduated with a master's degree in Business Analytics and a minor in Corporate Leadership, soaring to secure a job at Southwest Airlines. Today, Hildebrant works as a Manager of Revenue Management Strategy and Analysis, leading a team of analysts who control inventory ticket prices sold on the airline's website to maximize revenue on airline flight routes.

Before joining Southwest Airlines, Hildebrant spent nearly six years at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She started her educational journey by enrolling at the College of Business in 2013 after extensive research.

“I chose the College of Business for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees due to the affordability in comparison to other universities,” Hildebrant said. “When I looked at the dollar and cents and academics I would be getting through TAMUC in comparison to other universities, it was the best value by far of any other option I was considering at the time.”

Her decision to study Business Management with a minor in International Business stems from her participation in the Distributive Education Clubs of America's (DECA) International Business Plan competition when she was in high school. There, Hildebrant found her passion for general business through a global lens.

By the time she started her master's degree, she had already interned with Southwest Airlines and knew that majoring in Business Analytics would be her best decision as she knew that the degree would equip her with the technical, analytical and leadership skills that would prove to be beneficial for her in the long term.

Today, Hildebrant puts her degree to use at Southwest Airlines as she enjoys her “ability to flex [her] strengths of competition and strategic thinking every single day by empowering [her] team to think through and solve analytical problems.”

Helping her far beyond the walls of her lecture halls, Hildebrant says, “The College of Business has provided me with ample opportunities that have transformed me and continue to impact my life. I took advantage of all these opportunities, including writing an Honors Thesis, studying abroad, and getting involved in leadership opportunities on campus, such as serving as the Vice President of Programming in Alpha Phi.”

She continued, “The relationships I formed with professors, deans, and other students at the university through these experiences have helped me far beyond just my time in the classroom. Don't be afraid to talk about your goals and form intentional relationships with your professors and those around you.”

Although she admits that a person is their own best advocate, she continued, “By forming a relationship and building a team of supporters, you'll minimize the possibilities of not being aware of other opportunities that could be in store for you. When someone is a cheerleader in your camp they can help connect and advocate for you throughout your life and your career.”