YUVTHA SPECIAL- CAREER

YUVTHA SPECIAL- YUVTHA (YOUTH) CAREER OPTIONS

How many of take unilateral decisions when it comes to choosing a career? Truth to tell, very few of us. Mention the word career and only two or three career options keep popping in our heads - doctor, engineer, MBA. That is how we have been conditioned by years of parental pressure. Talk of other options, will only get us labeled as a drifters and rebels. One significant reason for this narrow view of options is ignorance of so many other alternatives that could meet the criteria of being a vocation that you have a liking for and also be the means to a comfortable livelihood. Choosing a career has lifelong implications. It can span your entire working tenure. It means choosing an occupation, getting a job, rising in our job, possibly changing your occupation, and eventually retiring. So before your firm up on something, give the choice process a little consideration.

AIR HOSTESSES/PURSERS (Related Courses)

If you want to go places literally and metaphorically, then become a flight purser/ air hostess. Besides this your primary responsibility is to make your customers happy. What can be more satisfying than that? This is a career with a lot of promise. You get to visit a lot of places. And you get to meet a variety of people. And the icing on the cake is the handsome pay package. So if you are smart, this is the career for you. With the entry of so many new private carriers, the demand for air hostesses and pursers has increased significantly. As a result these glamorous positions are now open to a lot more aspirants. However behind the glamour is hard work. The job calls for patience and tact while dealing with customers some of who may be quite difficult at times. Besides ushering in passengers and helping them to be as comfortable as possible, the job also involves learning the basics of aircraft operation and the handling of emergencies. Air hostesses and flight pursers are also required to co-ordinate with security personnel.

Requisite Qualification

It is sufficient for a person to be 10+2, but graduates with a diploma/ degree in hotel or tourism management are preferred. Besides this the individual should have a pleasing personality, be less than 25 years old, and be at least 157.5 cms. tall. In the case of flight pursers the required minimum height is 163 cms. And the upper age limit is 26 years. Both flight pursers and air hostesses should be of good health and have good eye sight. In addition to these physical requirements, aspirants should be fluent in English/ Hindi and, knowledge of a foreign language would be an added qualification. The general recruitment procedure involves an initial screening and a subsequent written exam. Short listed applicants are then called for a group discussion. Successful candidates are then given 2-3 months of training. During training candidates are taught grooming, customer service, safety and first aid. Candidates are also taught the fundamental technical and non technical aspects of aircraft. Initially fresh candidates serve as trainees.

Scope

With so many new airlines being added the demand for pursers and air hostesses is set to increase many times over. According to some estimates the air traffic is expected to increase by more than ten times in the next couple of years. A significant reason for this is the economic boom.

Remuneration

The pay scale really depends on experience and the airlines for which one is working. However initial salaries could range from Rs. 16000 to Rs. 35000 p.m. Senior hostesses are paid around Rs. 75000 p.m. Hostesses who are able to get into foreign airliners get paid as much as Rs. 3 lakhs p.m.