hi there to the peeps running the board, i have a few questions about being part of the cabin crew. firstly, being a fresh grad and somewhat unemployed at the moment, thoughts of various crazy job positions have flashed through my mind during this time of job-hunting. This can be attributed to the fact that the economy wasn't doing to well last year i guess. Anyway, the prospect of being an SIA has inevitably crossed my mind in one way or another. When it did, I read various interesting articles and posts online about what the position entails. But my general consensus after reading them (and which I started off with actually), is that when it comes down to it, the position is still that of a server (although having just read Janet's pretty insightful and entertaining book has def swayed my opinion somewhat and skewed my perception. But I'm honestly still on the fence about this position). I had a little experience working in the F & B line in the US last year and just after a couple of weeks, I felt that this kind of job is very routine, and mundane. I worked in a fine-dining restaurant, and let's be honest, it doesn't take rocket science to quickly get the hang of working in the F & B line. Coupled with strict management rules, standard procedures always had to ensured and carried out. When you magnify the customers by 10 times, as I would expect in an airplane, all the more it's hard to personalize service I would say? And the service given becomes even more standardized. So essentially I want to know what keeps (kept) you peeps going. I know of many grads who apply for the job thinking about the glamour and prestige, etc. But they may not last long after a while, feeling it not challenging or befitting enough for an educated person like them, and that they are probably way better off pursuing something in the professional career line. SO major question I wanna post: What exactly makes you people suck it up and stay on? Considering that you're educated and have no money woes like Janet was, and thought you'd only fly and see the world for one year but ended up making it a full-fledged career? The priceless experience (of jetsetting and meeting new people)? Elaborate please. The passion? of what exactly. character development? to what extent. and flexibility of your time? how attractive is it really though,
and let's be really honest and hear out the cons too. Such as, how tiring are the long hours, what difficult and loony passengers can do to your mental health, any potential health hazards, how bad is it being on standby, the free time to pursue other things (like taking up courses/skills. I'm interested to hear more about the ECAs offered and sponsored language courses, how do those work?), how much time one really gets to spend in a country most times, is it really possible to experience soaking up the culture and mingling with its people while staying abroad or are you just being a typical tourist, and finally, being more specific about which other industries welcome ex-SIA girls (i'm especially interested to know about the media industry and whether one is actually losing out to your peers when it comes to tangible experience needed). Feel free to address any of those issues or all of them as much as you can. As you can see, i've thought about this a bit and I would really really appreciate some answers to my queries here
On that note, knowing SQ is committed to providing quality services (i've always has pleasant encounters with the very friendly, eloquent and effable airport staff representing singapore) and maintaining a world-class reputation, i think is definitely a huge plus to potential applicants, and as a side note, I would like to hear how people and companies in general perceive the (ex-)employees. Let the sharing begin as recruitment is starting again next month and some of us may have to start certain other preparations for that !!
D Thank you for hearing me out aye if you've come to this point and am now finishing up on reading this post of mine.
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By the way, i wud like to wish u girls/guys the very best of luck on 20 March for the interview.