Fancy a career on the high seas? It's hard work but there are benefits
"I would advise the youngsters, if they are willing to work hard and start their career on a good foot, I think cruising is a great pathway." - John Mathi, Chef Lecturer at Capsicum Culinary Studio Rosebank
Picture: Pixabay
Sara-Jayne Makwala King spoke to Managing Director at IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management and Capsicum Culinary Studio, Renee Hill and Chef Lecturer at Capsicum Culinary Studio Rosebank, Chef John Mathi.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
If you want to do something that will gain you international experience and skills along with some travelling, a career on a cruise liner could be for you.
Hill says the pros of working on a cruise ship is the thrill of exploring the world and competitive salaries because you earn in a foreign currency.
In addition to this, Hill says you're also taken care of very well on board.
"I mean free medical care, your food, your cabin all of that stuff is free. Most of the money that you earn, you are able to reclaim which I think is the most attractive benefit and then obviously being able to see the world."
- Renee Hill, Managing Director at IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management and Capsicum Culinary Studio
"It's hard work. You operate in a very structured environment, the hours are long, the expectation is quite high on customer service, and hospitality, you have to work within a team so you can't be an independent person and you have to take quite a lot of criticism as well and just get on with it; put your head down and ensure that customer service is at the focus for you."
- Renee Hill, Managing Director at IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management and Capsicum Culinary Studio
Some potential roles on board include front and back of house, chefs, cooks, waiters, barristers and housekeeping.
Hill says jobs range from entry-level to executive or manager.
"Most of the jobs you will go into, you do need a qualification, you also need a certain period of having worked in industry...sometimes they may ask you to have two years experience in coming into the job."
- Renee Hill, Managing Director at IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management and Capsicum Culinary Studio
Mathi, who worked on a cruise ship for 10 years, enjoyed his career on the high seas.
"My experience was wonderful - it's actually addictive in fact."
- John Mathi, Chef Lecturer at Capsicum Culinary Studio Rosebank
"I would advise the youngsters, if they are willing to work hard and start their career on a good foot, I think cruising is a great pathway."
- John Mathi, Chef Lecturer at Capsicum Culinary Studio Rosebank
Scroll up to listen to the full interview.