Have you ever wanted to get out of this small island and wake up in different cities around the world? If you love travelling so much that you may want to do it for a living, we’ve got great news for you – you don’t have to be an armchair traveller no more! Find out how you can work your way around the world by making a career out of the thing you love best. I have here several top picks that will be sure to place you amongst diverse cultures and new languages, meet people from all over the globe and perhaps enjoy a holiday romance while making your lifelong dream come true.

By Dawn Hu

CAREER OPTIONS

TOUR LEADER

If you like waving the national flag, this one’s for you. There are a few ways to become a tour leader and the rewards are numerous. With the airline ticket and accommodation provided for, all you need to pack with you is an outgoing nature and you’ll be on the right track. It might be handy to know the difference between a tour leader and a tour guide. A tour leader leads groups overseas while a tour guide refers to the locals who conduct in-bound tours. Thus a tour leader would take care of a group of Singaporeans heading to say,
China. And at each city in China, a local Chinese tour guide would be the one that would provide the commentaries and local travel arrangements. For a tour leader, no professional qualification is necessary but an O-Level certificate is a must. Your tour destinations also depend on experience and if you’ve chalked up your quota, you could be leading Singaporeans overseas to exotic locales like Turkey and Egypt in time to come! Tour leading allowance varies from destination to destination, and covers your meals as well as
telephone bills.

Jo Yee, an ex-tour leader cautions the girls, “it takes courage to sleep in a single room alone but after the first time, you get used to it and it’s all fun!” In an interview, she explains that it takes a step-by-step process to become a tour leader and one often starts from the bottom. First, one is stationed at the sales counter. The next step would be in-house product training where and after confirmation, depending on one’s sales results, does one then get sent for tour leading assignments.

While it takes an adventurous spirit and requires much reading up on your next destination, aspiring tour leaders should also prepare themselves for worst-case scenarios. When asked about her bad moments on the job, Jo talks about how three Singaporean girls went missing in Turkey only to find them at the local vendor who would not relent to their bargaining. She laughs in recollection, “We ended up having the guide to bargain Singapore-style in Turkish!”

AIRLINE CREW

The airline crew has always been considered as glamorous in the travel industry. In the past, I had many classmates putting ‘flight stewardesses’ as their ambitions. Many still consider it a prestige to join Singapore Airlines and don the sarong kebaya and fly to exotic locales at the same time. Apart from being able to travel around the world, one literally becomes the ambassador for the nation as you represent your country on the flight. The Singapore Girl, the ‘face’ for Singapore Airlines, is also at times known as one of Singapore’s national icons and has been used in global media advertising.

Lydia Lim, an air stewardess, states that life in the clouds is surely a ‘great way to fly’. After graduating with a diploma in chemical processing, the polytechnic graduate came across a newspaper application and decided to take a different route so as to fulfil her childhood ambition. Having joined Japan Air Lines in 2000, she moved on to Jetstar Asia four years later and states that her passion for flying and the lifestyle was what attracted her.

The requirements of being an air stewardess differ between carriers. However, most would agree that there is a standard age limit of being younger than 26 years old. Unlike popular belief, one need not be a supermodel but have an average height of 1.58m. Lydia adds that being “slim, having good complexion and be able to swim 50m with a lifejacket” also helps because you will be graded on those. After the initial testing, prospective crew members will then get to learn about the operation of the company, aircraft, airline’s standards and procedures and grooming.
Airline crew can be away from home for up to 7 days while an average break back home can be between 3 to 4 days. Hence, Lydia warns that it can get pretty lonely during outstation days due to the long hours and being away from family. What then? “To overcome home sickness, I bring family pictures, call home often, keep occupied and go out a lot when I am back in Singapore!”

But it is clear that she has no regrets. “The job is good for people who enjoy travelling. It’s the pay and chance to travel! You only have to work hard onboard and you get to enjoy the rest of your trip.”

CRUISE CREW

This is a dream job for sea lovers who cannot do without the rocking of the boat or waves. As a cruise crew, one is able to travel the world aboard luxury cruise ships and get paid for it at the same time. This job is competitive though, as thousands of candidates often apply for a job onboard. However, unlike other jobs, there is never a good or bad time to apply for a position. You are encouraged to apply anytime you want to. Qualifications or experience is also not a priority as one often looks for a pleasant personality and good social skills.

The good news is that the minimum age limit is 18 or 21, depending on the particular company’s requirements with often no restrictions on the upper age bracket. Positions are available in the Hotel Division, Club Division, Deck & Engine Division and are very much similar to the positions that exist in luxury hotels and resorts.

Points to note:

- Positions in the cruise industry often come up on a weekly basis so you can apply all year round!
- Cruise lines don’t usually advertise available positions; instead they depend on service companies to help them find personnel. Or you can check the cruise lines’ websites regularly.
- Cruise liners are often looking for vibrant and dynamic personalities. Be persistent, enthusiastic and willing to learn.
- A background or knowledge in Hospitality, Retail, Customer related or any other service industry is a plus factor.
- General length of employment can range from 3 weeks, 6, 9 or even 12 months (depending on fleet).
- Be willing to work for any length of the usual contract and do not mind long working hours.

Why work there? There are many perks associated with cruise crew. While being a guest entertainer, musician or youth activities coordinator, you get free accommodation, free medical insurance and great relaxation facilities. Great travel allowances after a qualifying period is also an incentive. It is also noted that Star Cruises often offer very competitive salaries compared with mainstream U.S-based cruise lines. So what a better way to travel around the region in Asia (from China and Vietnam to Japan and Korea) while earning some money, earning valuable experiences and putting your skills into good use at the same time!

For more information, check out www.cruiselinejob.com