Published: Thu 30 May 2024 at 13:57
An ex-primary school teacher, who swapped the school classroom for the sky to fulfil her lifelong ambition to work as Jet2.com Cabin Crew, is using her experience to inspire pupils at her former school to follow their own dreams.
Liz Chapman, 45, from Sandbach, Cheshire, left her teaching job of 25 years and joined Jet2.com’s award-winning Cabin Crew team in January after aspiring to be Cabin Crew since being a child. Now, after achieving her long-lasting goal, Liz has returned to her former primary school, Buglawton Primary School, to deliver a school assembly encouraging students to pursue their ambitions.
Liz, who is based at Manchester Airport, comments: “As a child, I used to dress up and pretend to be Cabin Crew, and I have always wanted to work as Cabin Crew, however, I happened to fall into teaching. When I was a teacher, I always told pupils that they could achieve anything and to follow their dreams.
“So, with my daughter now 11 years old, I thought it was about time that I practice what I preach and follow my dreams. I finished teaching last Christmas, started my Cabin Crew training with Jet2.com in January, and then got my wings in February. It has been a whirlwind few months!”
After two months of working for Jet2.com and flying holidaymakers on award-winning flights to their favourite destinations in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Europe, Liz has not looked back and is now encouraging her former pupils to have their own career goals.
Liz continues: “I took to the skies as Cabin Crew for my first ever flight in February earlier this year and, after two months of flying, I decided it was time to head back to my former school and deliver a school assembly on ambitions, the importance of school and the day in the life of a Cabin Crew member.”
As well as inspiring pupils to follow their dreams, the children also received Jet2 stickers and discount vouchers for their families to put towards their next holiday.
Commenting on her new career with Jet2.com, Liz said: “The decision to join Jet2.com is the best decision I have ever made. I’m thrilled to work for an award-winning airline, and I enjoy every minute of my new career. No day is ever the same when working as Cabin Crew and, as a people person, I love making memories for customers and ensuring their holidays get off to the best start. My role with Jet2.com is a job for life, and I am hoping to move through the ranks, and further grow and develop my skills.
“Jet2.com is a fantastic place to work, and I am very proud to work for a company that puts its customers at the heart of everything it does. Despite only working as Cabin Crew for a few months, I already feel like I have been with them for years, and I am looking forward to a successful and long career with Jet2.com.”
Having pursued her life-long ambition to work as Cabin Crew, Liz has now inspired her daughter to follow in her footsteps. “After seeing me follow my dreams, my daughter has expressed a wish to also join Jet2.com as Cabin Crew. I’m hoping that as well as inspiring my daughter, my talk at the school assembly has inspired pupils and proved that they can achieve anything.”
Liz concludes: “For anyone thinking about changing careers, I’d say just go for it. It’s never too late to switch careers and to follow your dreams, as you don’t know until you have tried it. I’m proof that whatever your age, you can reach for the skies!”
