Imagine if your job could help people reach a lifetime goal, or tick items off their bucket list by seeing things they have always dreamed about? A career with Flight Centre is just that for Karen Oudeman, one of Flight Centre’s travel fairy godmothers. She told us why making other people’s dreams come true is her dream job.
What do you like most about your current role?
No two days are ever the same in my role. I love to give my customers a great price, fantastic holidays and, of course, excellent customer service, but the best thing about my role at Flight Centre is that I get to make people’s travel dreams come true.
How did you get to your current role?
I’ve always wanted to be a travel consultant, and five years ago I made a career change that made that dream come true. I started as a Novice in 2013 then worked my way up as a retail travel consultant in various Flight Centre store locations. Now I’m an Assistant Team Leader in one of the larger mega stores. We have three teams but we operate like one big family. My goal is to become a Team Leader.
Why Flight Centre?
This truly is my dream job. I always wanted to be a travel consultant but was looking for flexible employment while I studied. I think I’m really fortunate to be able to learn on the job, gain qualifications to grow my knowledge and, of course, travel!
Before working at Flight Centre, I travelled extensively (both personally and for work) and was based overseas for some time, which awakened the travel bug within. When I came back to Australia, I wanted to find a career that allowed me to combine my passion for travel with work – Flight Centre was the perfect opportunity for me! I had prior travel experience and knowledge of overseas destinations, as well as a raft of transferable skills and a desire to follow my dreams.
What career opportunities have you been given?
Flight Centre is a very supportive company. We are there for each other and we celebrate the wins. There are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress within the company.
I have also worked with the Flight Centre Foundation to give back to the community. Some highlights have included fundraising for Red Kite and helping to make solar lights for kids in Africa and Papua New Guinea so they can study at night without being exposed to harmful gas lamps.
What does work/life balance look like for you?
My parents always told me you don’t get far in life without hard work. But you have to find time for yourself and have balance. On my days off I like to cycle and I mentor other women to ride, feel safe and develop a social network.
Are there travel perks as a Flight Centre employee?
There are plenty of opportunities to travel with my role, usually in the form of education trips that help us learn about new destinations, airlines, tours and accommodation products so we can experience the products we recommend to our customers. Hard work is also recognised and rewarded with travel opportunities, which is a great incentive.
Where have you travelled to? And where to next?
I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively domestically and also to Singapore, South Africa, the west coast of the USA, to Germany, an unforgettable experience visiting Iguazu Falls in Argentina and a European river cruise! I’m really excited about my next trips – sailing the Indonesian islands in September and northern Morocco in January.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Do what makes you happy. Find something you are passionate about, build a career of it and it won’t ever feel like work!
Discover how you can make your career take off with Flight Centre.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
