As a lover of travel and flying from a young age, Megan Bowers always wanted to work in the travel industry. So after completing school, Megan enrolled on to the Level 3 Aviation Operations programme at Middlesbrough College.
Since completing her studies at College last year Megan has now bagged her dream job as a Ramp Services Agent for Swissport at Durham Tees Valley Airport and believes her course at Middlesbrough College played a vital part in helping her to achieve it.
Megan said “I am over the moon that I have secured my dream job! I’ve always loved flying since I was very little so to now work at an airport is amazing.”
Megan’s role as a Ramp Service Agent involves marshaling the aircraft, loading, unloading and sorting freight and baggage, servicing the aircraft and assisting with pushback and towing.
Megan said “Being a Ramp Service Agent is physically demanding and isn’t a typically glamorous job, however this role is essential as my team and I are the ones who get the plane off the ground!
“I think it is important for other girls to know about my role as it is typically male dominated and lots of girls who pursue a career in travel and aviation might only consider pursuing jobs such as Cabin Crew, but I would definitely recommend being a Ramp Services Agent as it is so much fun!
“My Level 3 Aviation Operations course at Middlesbrough College gave me an employment edge. The programme gave me all the knowledge I need to know and really helped me to prepare for the interview and I have loved putting everything I learnt at College into practice at work.
“My tutors have all been so supportive of me and I still keep in touch with them now. The course also involved lots of field trips and work experience such as survival training at Newcastle Airport and trips to New York and Barcelona!”
There has also never been a more exciting time to be a young person pursuing a career in travel locally, as the mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, has agreed a deal to buy Durham Tees Valley Airport. A 10-year blueprint has been drawn up aiming to bring in as many as 1.5m passengers and return the airport to profit!
Megan said “It’s very exciting to be working here! If plans go ahead our team will be looking to expand as there will be lots more flights coming in.
“My advice to any young person is to consider a career in travel and to also consider studying at Middlesbrough College as it is a great course and has helped me to get my dream job!”
To find out more about the Travel, Tourism and Aviation courses at Middlesbrough College, take a look and apply here.