Rising Star
QRC Adventure Tourism Management graduate Mitch Chudleigh has always had his eye on the sky when it came to his career. “Ever since I was young anytime I’d hear an aeroplane I’d look up at the skies in awe dreaming of the day I’d be a part of the thriving industry”
Originally from Australia he first heard about QRC during a career fair he attended with his school Mentone Grammar. He was fascinated by our Adventure Tourism Management programme as there was nothing like it in Australia.
His first job in the Airline Industry was as a Customer Service Agent at Queenstown Airport with Aerocare Flight Support. Each day he would check in, board and assist hundreds of passengers as they began their skyward journey.
After graduating from QRC he used his contacts at Aerocare and transferred back to their Melbourne office in Australia as a Load Controller. He then joined Tigerair Australia before becoming the regional flight attendant with QantasLink and in 2021 he was seconded to his current position as Cabin Crew Planner with Jetstar.
Mitch’s main responsibilities are to plan and create rosters for his team of cabin crew across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand as well as planning training to ensure all crew maintain the legally required qualifications to operate as crew on our aircraft.
And on the side, he has been completing his Bachelor of Business (Marketing) on line with our associate colleges ICMS in Sydney Australia.
His advice for those considering joining QRC…
“Just do it! Although it may seem nerve-raking to move to Queenstown (or if you’re like me, to New Zealand) it’ll end up being the best thing you ever did.”
Read more about Mitch’s journey in the Aviation Industry below
On The Couch with Mitch Chudleigh
Why did you choose to follow a career in tourism management?
I chose a career in tourism management as it is a sector that I’ve always been fascinated with. Ever since I was young anytime I’d hear an aeroplane I’d look up at the skies in awe dreaming of the day I’d be apart of the thriving industry, helping make memories for customers and sharing what I love.
Why did you choose QRC?|
I first heard about QRC when I visited the Melbourne VCE and Careers Expo on a school excursion, and from the moment I opened the brochure I knew it was for me.
The programs offered by the college are nothing like anything offered in Australia, especially my chosen Diploma, Adventure Tourism Management and there’s no better place to study adventure tourism than the adventure tourism capital of the world!
Where did you undertake your internship? (employer / position)
Despite thinking I’d go back home to Australia to undertake my internship, I ended up staying in Queenstown! I was lucky enough to become a Customer Service Agent at Queenstown Airport with Aerocare Flight Support. Everyday my team and I would check in, board and assist hundreds of passengers as they began their journey with our client airline. As well as our airline client, we also handled various private jets and assisted various VIP clients arriving and departing from Queenstown.
Tell me about your journey since leaving QRC.
After graduating from QRC I transferred back to Melbourne with Aerocare Flight Support where I became a Load Controller before leaving Aerocare to become a flight attendant with budget airline, Tigerair Australia.
After a few years with Tigerair I took the opportunity to join the Qantas Group, becoming a regional flight attendant with QantasLink and in 2021 I took a secondment from QantasLink to the position that I’m in now. During the Coronavirus pandemic I’ve also continued my studies with QRC partner, ICMS.
What role are you in now?
I’m currently a Cabin Crew Planner with Jetstar in our Melbourne Head Office.
What are your main responsibilities?
My main responsibilities are to plan and create rosters for our team of cabin crew across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand as well as planning training to ensure our crew maintain the legally required qualifications to operate as crew on our aircraft.
What do you enjoy the most about your current position?
I enjoy the challenge of my current role the most, with over 1,500 rosters to build for just Australia and New Zealand each month, there’s so many different pieces to the puzzle that we need to solve.
What energizes you at work?
I’m energised by how operationally critical my role is to the 65,000 people we connect each day. That’s 65,000 memories made, thousands of smiles, hugs and moments of joy that we help create every single day as well as helping our crew do the job they love.
How did your time at QRC help prepare you for your current job?
QRC prepared me for my current job by teaching me invaluable management skills in various areas such as customer service, safety, HR and accounting as well as cross-cultural communication. The Adventure Tourism program also pushed me from my comfort zone and helped me learn more about myself then I could ever imagine.
What was it like transitioning from ATM to hospitality?
Despite my previous roles traditionally being in the hospitality sector, I believe that this is a slight misconception and they align more with the ATM program. The Adventure Tourism Diploma set me up quite well for my career in aviation, with it’s strong focus on safety management (which is always the priority in Aviation) as well as ‘hands on’ programs such as Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, both of which I’ve drawn on in the airline industry.
What is your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is to help inspire and mentor others who dream of soaring in the airline industry to be their best and to soar above the clouds.
Any words of wisdom for those considering joining QRC?
Just do it! Although it may seem nerve-raking to move to Queenstown (or if you’re like me, to New Zealand) it’ll end up being the best thing you ever did. You’ll make lifelong friends and connections from all around the world, and you’ll set yourself up for the career you’ve always wanted. The only thing holding you back from your dreams is yourself, so take the plunge and go for it!
