Air stewardess makes the best of her time on the ground

Radin loved her job as a flight attendant, until the global Covid-19 pandemic altered her career path.

KOTA KINABALU: One year ago, Wendy Radin was living out of a suitcase as she flew from country to country in her job as a flight attendant.

She had a packed monthly flying schedule – until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and resulting travel restrictions altered her career path.

The last flight she worked on was in April 2020.

She now wakes up to another type of timetable – one packed with Zoom meetings and appointments with clients.

Radin, 35, has made a successful career switch and is now a financial planning consultant.

Her determination to make the best out of the situation saw her taking the second spot in accumulated sales during a national sales convention for the unit trust company she works for.

"Initially, I was feeling down because with border closures," said Radin, who became a stewardess in 2011.

However, she described the situation as an eye-opener.

"I was getting comfortable with a salary at the end of every month. So, I sat down and re-calculated my finances," she said, adding that she was already a part-time financial consultant before the pandemic.

"When the movement control order was enforced, I felt I could finally commit full-time to unit trust sales," said Radin.

She said she had always been a "people person" and used to dealing with others all the time.

But she also staunchly believed in hard work and having a positive frame of mind.

"I started going through my contacts and social media links. I built up the courage to approach people on these platforms.

"I make use of the Internet at home, sharing presentations and my slides with potential clients. And since our company allows online registration (of new clients), I could do most of my work via video conferencing, without face-to-face meetings," she added.

She put in long hours into her new job, even working during weekends.

"It became a habit and part of my routine," she said.

She even started recruiting those who did not have any funds to invest, so they too could have a side income.

Radin, who is currently taking a leave of absence from her airline employer, has not ruled out resuming her flying days once the Covid-19 situation improves.

"My love for flying and serving as cabin crew is still strong because it is my first passion."

However, she said might take on a less hectic flying schedule.

"I have to think about my clients who may have difficulties contacting me and I do not want to neglect them," she said.

She added that flying less would be a logical step in the coming years as she planned to focus on her family as well.