Pamela Santos has been a flight attendant for nearly a decade. The work can be tiring, and she often has to sacrifice her weekends and holidays, but having to travel for work contributes to her genuine love for her job.

Pam shares some advice for those who would like to try this career path.

What’s the best thing about being a flight attendant?

“The best thing? The interesting people you meet every flight, and being able to travel anywhere in the world for free, not only for me but also for my family. Getting to visit (via layovers) places where you know people, and you get more days off than most jobs. But be prepared to work long hours, with some journeys involving staying overnight in a hotel somewhere.”

What skill has been unexpectedly useful at your job?

“Being able to keep your emotions and feelings in control at all times. This can be done with a smile. Passengers can be wonderful people, and at times be very difficult. During all these times you need to keep calm, and be understanding and compassionate. I have been faced with a few emergencies during my career, and keeping my composure has always helped both my passengers and myself.”

What can a college student do right now if they want a career like yours?

“Get involved in any customer service-related activities in school if your goal is to become a flight attendant. Customer service is not typically an airline requirement, meaning, you can usually apply without it. However, a lack of experience in this area will make getting hired more difficult. It’ll give you a competitive advantage, because you will be working with customers on a daily basis. From greeting, serving, and assisting passengers, to making announcements, you will always be representing the company in a customer service role.”

How about someone who wants to switch to this career?

“Attend a flight attendant training course. Some airlines prefer that applicants already have flight attendant training, such as Aviation 101, First Aid and Survival, Inflight Service, and especially Emergency Training. Practice also your people skills, being friendly toward others, and doing things with confidence.”