Best Careers for ex Cabin Crew

 

The life of a cabin crew is very dynamic, exciting and sometimes even unexpecting. During a few years the flight attendants visit tens of destinations all around the world. Of course it depends on the airline and its destinations. Many people choose to work as a flight attendant to have the opportunity to change their career. Often, it is a great possibility to do something completely different. Some people work as a cabin crew for some short time and then leave. As they found out that this job is not what they were expecting. Many stay for as long as 15 years and still enjoy the lifestyle of a flight attendant. 

Also some cabin crews decide advance to some other position within their airline. Some often move to another company. Some resign, but then regret it, as they didn't manage to find themselves in something else. They regret seeing continuous posts on social media. They often see their ex colleagues having fun travelling, meeting new people, etc.

Also many people look at a flight attendant job as a temporary job till they find something else. There are some reasons for that as well. For nobody it will be a secret to say that a flight attendant job has some disadvantages as well as many plusses. Some of those disadvantages can influence your health. First of all, you are receiving a higher dose of radiation while you are in the sky. It is also important to say that a cabin crew job is mentally and physically demanding. So this role might have some negative effect on your body and health. The other reasons is the age of a candidate or cabin crew. We know that some airlines do not take a candidate after a certain age. 

After working several years in aviation people start to think of some alternatives for the future. Often the intention to step back from flying comes because of some family or personal reasons. Depending on that, many cabin crew look for some ground based jobs. Then it is handy to prepare some career options and to keep in mind what jobs are available. It is important that such a job opportunity would suit your personality, skills. As well that you could use your gained experience in your future career. So let's have a look at the list of possible job options for ex cabin crew.

HR team

One of the best options for ex flight attendants is to try themselves in the HR department. You could choose to apply for this position already in your airline. As well you could move to the other company. One more option could be to work for other recognised Cabin Crew School or similar courses. This job would be perfect for somebody who enjoys working with people. To be an HR spesialist you would need to have a great communication skills. You should be people-oriented person. If you have good interpersonal skills this could be your perfect option. Anyway, dealing with big amounts of people is something that cabin crews are dealing with on a daily basis, isn't it?

One of the main responsibilities as a recruiter would be to pick the right candidate for the company. Also you would attend job fairs, some hiring events or the open days. Imagine, you could help people get to their dream job! At the same time you would use your experience and knowledge. Let's say, you would help the airline to select the new generation of flight attendants.

 

 

Real estate agent

This option is suitable for those who look for inspitation at a real estate business. Would you like to deal with different kinds of properties? If the answer is yes, you should try yourself working in the real estate agency. As a real estate agent you would find new tenants for the properties. As well  you would look for potential buyers to sell the properties. You will deal with owners as well as with clients of the agency. You will negotiate and close the deals. Here, your crew experience of establishing contact with different people will be useful. You would already have an experience to convince people to buy. Do you remember the times when you wanted your commission of duty free onboard sales?

Event planner

Another great opportunity is to become an event planner. Your main responsibility will be to organise everything from A to Z to run an event. As well you would need to find and reserve the transportation , as well to book the venues. It is you who would coordinate the catering, book the florist, decorator, etc. This is the perfect career option for somebody who is very communicable. You should be also organised and attentive to details. You will be in contact with the customers and suppliers. Your duty will be to help people create their dream weddings. Also you could help organising birthday parties and so on. Do you imagine yourself planning and coordinating all sorts of events? So in that case you should consider applying for this job. 

 

 

Aviation related jobs

It can happen that you would like to stay in the aviation industry, but not as a flight attendant. You should know that there are many ground-based jobs available too. As you already have experience in aviation it would be much easier to enter any aviation related job. You could look for an air traffic controllers or a vacancy in maintenance team. Other opportunities are: airport management, flight operations and many others.

Are you good at fixing or you have finished engineering studies? If the answer is yes, you should try yourself in the engineering team? Or if you are good at managing the team, then you could try your best in management. If you are good at mathematics and you are very attentive, then the job of the air traffic controller role would be perfect for you.

Let's say you are better assisting passengers. Or you like to give them all sort of information and directives. If you enjoy helping passengers resolve their issues then you could apply for a ground staff job. You could move from a crew role to any other aviation related jobs within your company. You could also choose another employer if you prefer as well as an airport authority instead. 

Become a Pilot

Many of the flight attendants are big aviation lovers. Many of those dream of becoming a pilot one day. Of course this initiative will cost you a lot of time, money and your determination to achieve it. Among all, there are people who are afraid to take a risk. Many people are hesitating if they can find a job after their pilot training. Also, there are some companies who are giving the opportunity to their former cabin crew. For example, at Wizzair you could get such an opportunity. You could advance from a cabin crew to a pilot within a company. 

If you have made your decision then you could already start to save some money for your future training. You could start saving already while working as a cabin crew. Then try yourself passing the selections. If you have the capacity and all the qualities to be a pilot you will get a place in one of the companies or schools. 

Remember, that no matter how hard it will be or how long the training will take, you should not give up on your dream. After such a big effort you would not even realise that you are working while working. Souds great, isn't it? As this would be your dream job and flying this big beast would only give you pleasure and happiness. You should know that if it's your dream, you should do everything to achieve it. 

 

 

Travel agent 

If you loved to travel while you were a cabin crew you could help others to plan their dream vacations. You would already know all the best destinations to go. You would already know the most beautiful spots and the best attractions to visit. Are you passionate traveller yourself? If yes, then you would enjoy working in the travel agency. 

One of your responsabilites as a travel agent would be to book flights and hotels. Also you will need to arrange transportation and other services. As well you would solve any issue that could happen on the way. It can be cancellation of the flight or rescheduling of the flight. One more thing to deal with it is when passengers could miss the connection. As well of course you would need to communicate with a lot of people and give your advice. But again, you would already have that habit after working as a cabin crew.

Working on a cruise ship

If the most enjoyable part in your flight attendant career was to be out of home most of the time that must be the option for you. At the same time working on a cruise ship, you would not receive the same level of radiation as if you are on water. You would not need to commute home from the ship. As you would work on a cruise ship for more or less 6 month, you would receive then a month or two off. You could enjoy those few months resting at home. You could spend this long of-time seeing your friends and spending time with family.

Being on the cruise ship, you would work with people from many foreign countries. You will work in a multicultural environment. All your colleagues, as well as passengers, would come from different countries. You would meet a lot of new friends with whom you could spend your free time on destinations. Yes! Same as working on a plane, isn't it?

You will have a variety of jobs as a cruise ship employee. You could work as a customer service agent, for example. You could also consider working as a receptionist or a waiter. You could be a part of an entertainment team. In than case you would participate in event creation. Also you could try yourself being a manager. Your previous experience and skills will help you to make the right choice. 

 

 

Travel blogger

To become a travel blogger, would be the best match if you are a cabin crew. Just think, you are already travelling quite often. You are flying to the most interesting places in the world. You are already visiting the best travel spots with your cabin crew colleagues. Travelling has already become your lifestyle. You are more often abroad than at home. This is the perfect condition to start building up your social media and opening a blog. There you could share your experiences with your followers.

You could also become an inspiration for others. You could become an inspiration for your own colleagues. As often cabin crew only stay in the room and watch Netflix on their layovers. You could give motivation by writing some interesting articles. You could change people's perspective on travelling and help them to find interest. 

 

 

Of course a career change is not always easy. Many people are afraid of bigger changes in their life for example. As well there is a fear of not finding anything after leaving your existing position. For some people it is scary to move out to another country or back to their home country. For many moving out is causing a big amount of stress already. In fact, we should not be afraid of changes. We can not know what is behind that door, before we open.

It is better to have a plan for an ‘exit’. Many people leave the job without having anything else in mind. Many of them end up sponging their parents as they couldn't find any other suitable job. You shouldn't proceed that way, prepare yourself in advance. You could start planning and saving some money well before making the decision. The truth is, that you should not make rash decisions. You should not decide in the last moment about changing your life completely. You should have a prepared plan and also some savings aside that will allow a smooth transition. Remember to always follow your dreams. Believe in yourself and don't give up. It is important to be confident in yourself, to be sure of your capacities. Then additionally to good planning you will be able to be where you always wanted to be. 

I wish you good luck to find your dream job!