Sophie, a 22-year-old former student of Stockton Riverside College, is now living her dream as a cabin crew member for Jet2.

Her passion for the aviation industry began in her childhood and grew stronger when she decided to enrol on our Level 3 Aviation and Tourism course after completing secondary school. "I have always had a passion for the aviation industry. When I was a child, the favourite part of my holidays was always the journey to the destination, rather than the destination itself," she shared.

Sophie enjoyed her course immensely and cherishes the memories she made during her time at the College. "I absolutely loved my course, it was always like a family bond in the classroom.

My tutors were industry experienced, which gave me a real insight into the industry, and we were given multiple opportunities to go on trips where we could see the industry for ourselves," she recalled.

When asked why she chose to attend Stockton Riverside College, Sophie said, "I liked the vibe of the college, the teachers on the open day made me excited about starting college and not as nervous about the transition to college from secondary school."

Sophie credits her time at the College for preparing her for the working world, "I would recommend Stockton Riverside to anyone not wanting to go down the traditional A level route because from my own experience, it prepared me to work, and I had a lot of support."

After completing her Level 3 qualification, Sophie decided to stay at the college and pursue the FdA in Aviation and Tourism through our partnership with Teesside University. She then did a top-up year in Airline and Airport Management, which paved the way for her current job as cabin crew for Jet2.

Sophie's ultimate aim for her ongoing future is to work in air traffic control or manage an airport, but she is content working in any field within the aviation industry.

Currently, Sophie is enjoying her role as cabin crew for Jet2.com, operating short-haul flights. "I am most proud of earning my wings at Jet2. I love my job and I love who I work with," she said.

Sophie's success story serves as an inspiration to students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the aviation industry. If you’d like a career like Sophie's, view our aviation, travel and tourism courses here.