Put yourself in this situation: you've just finished university, moved home and can't find work. You aren't 100% sure what you want to do (other than bagging the exec job at the beeb) and looking for jobs is getting tiresome. You've filled out more application forms than you can count, typed out your education history enough times to fill your computer memory and learnt more about google than you thought existed.
What now?
This was me back in June, when I thought times were tough and I had had enough (little did I know it would go on another 5 months, but that's irrelevant for now).
One late June evening my dad was flicking through the evening paper, my mum more than likely watching escape to the country or the like and I was, again, searching for jobs when my dad shouts through the house, 'how do you fancy being cabin crew?'
'Doing what, where?' I ask. Bemused, confused and interested I ran through to the living room to see a 4-line article advertising the emirates' airline open day. When I came to realise exactly what this entailed I was intrigued and eager for the challenge. Not being a fan of flying and not really understanding what it entailed I became adament I would go along anyway (thinking it was to be a busy careers event with stalls and the like).
Beforehand, I spent a lot of time asking my parents why people put themselves through this as a career and spend each day putting their lives at risk...yes, funny. It was only after extensive research I realised how ludicrous I was being.
To cut a long story short, I attended the open day and thank The Lord I went in a suit (all my googling had finally come in handy) ...because everybody turned up with new suits (you could see that by the way their stitches hadn't been removed from the backs of their skirts and jackets), perfect hair and newly manicured nails! When we arrived it took a lot of gut for someone going on a 'whim' to get out of the car! The main of the day was videos and a presentation but then we were asked to go up one by one with our CVs and have a mini one-to-one interview. Woah. Why the hell was I here I kept thinking. I was dreading the question asking why I wanted to do this...(deep down I didn't want to do it at all!).
ABOVE: Lipstick ready for assesment day
We were told to leave when we had been spoken to and we would be called by 4pm should we have been successful through to the next stage. Obviously, with my little knowledge, interest or enthusiasm, I left thinking that was over.
Half past 3...I get a phone call. Oh no.
After all, I had to buy a new suit and I only made it through one stage of the assessment day. But rather then sighing with relief, as I expected, I felt disheartened and angry with myself.
Two weeks later I found myself suited and booted at London's Heathrow, being assessed for Etihad airways. One of the toughest things I've ever done. And again, sent home.
Now I find myself in a part time job, still living at home and itching to get my career over in Dubai. But will I make it?
Sometimes I wonder if my determination comes from the two knock backs, or if it comes from deep within my desperation to get the career.
It's 6 months on... And I'm still asking myself who would turn down a career which takes you places. Not only that but a job that gives you the opportunity to see the world (whilst being paid), meet, work with and live with people from different cultures and places around the globe and be part of a career which is never the same two days in a row. Thousands of feet up.
World, I'm coming for you.
