You probably know Flight Centre for its great travel deals and service, yet you might not be aware that it’s also a pretty great place to work. But don’t just take our word for it. We spoke to three members of the same family who all happen to work for Flight Centre – mum Stephanie, and daughters Ashleigh and Emily – for their rundown on life as a member of the Flight Centre family.
It’s a family affair! What are your roles at Flight Centre?
Hello! We are Stephanie Fallon, Human Resources Operations Leader; Ashleigh Conwell, National Campaigns Manager – Flight Centre Marketing; and Emily Fallon, Travel Manager – Corporate Traveller.
What appealed to you about working for Flight Centre when you started?
Stephanie: I started at Flight Centre in 1988. I had been working for another organisation in the travel industry and watched as Flight Centre made its mark as the trailblazer of the industry. I knew it was the company where I wanted to build my career.
Ashleigh: I was drawn to Flight Centre as I knew how much they valued their people. I wanted a team environment and company who shared my drive; a company I could grow with.
Emily: I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or what I was good at, but I did know that I love travelling and talking about travel, so I loved the idea that I could do that as a job. I also knew about the great reward and recognition aspects of the culture of Flight Centre and wanted to be a part of that.
What do you like most about your current role?
Stephanie: Every day in HR I’m guiding, coaching and assisting others to bring out their full potential. I love that I can assist in making a difference to individuals, their business and the company as a whole.
Ashleigh: I love the variety; no day is the same in my role! I work with a number of internal teams, media agencies and publishers, airlines and cruise lines on a daily basis. I feel very lucky to be in a position of leadership as I am passionate about my team’s development (as a team and as individuals). We have a great team culture and once a month have a ‘family lunch’ to catch up properly.
Emily: I can contribute to a team’s results and I really feel like I belong to a family. I still get interaction with the general public in my corporate clients and get to build a great relationship with them.
What career opportunities have you been given?
Stephanie: Over the many years I’ve been with Flight Centre I’ve had exposure to a number of careers; Retail Consultant (in a leadership role), Fares & Ticketing Consultant for the air division, Fares & Ticketing Trainer, Leadership Trainer, Area Leader, Peopleworks Leader and now HR.
Ashleigh: I started as a National Advertising Executive with the Flight Centre Marketing team and was promoted to National Campaigns Manager only a few months later. I’ve held my recent role as National Campaigns Manager for the past two and a half years.
I find myself really fortunate to be surrounded by talented marketing professionals every day and have very close working relationships with our senior business leaders including our head of marketing, which is something quite unique to the Flight Centre organisational structure. I am also part of Flight Centre Travel Group’s WomenWise committee that is focused on celebrating the women of Flight Centre Travel Group through connection, collaboration and ultimately creating change.
Emily: I’ve had great opportunities at Flight Centre across several areas of the business, which has allowed me to work my way up the ladder. It’s exciting that I can have so many different roles in one company.
How does Flight Centre demonstrate a commitment to work/life balance?
Stephanie: I have the ability for flexible work options, this includes working from home or other remote work.
Ashleigh: Here at HQ we have our very own gym, operated by Flight Centre Travel Group business Healthwise Global. It’s amazing! I do four classes a week including Yoga, Pilates, HIIT and Strength classes. I find these classes are really beneficial for my work/life balance. We also have a dietician, physio and beautician onsite. I probably could work a day from home if I wanted to, but I love my team and the office environment!
How about travel perks?
Ashleigh: Absolutely! I get to travel to Sydney frequently for work, but I’ve also been rewarded with educational trips to the Northern Territory, Fiji, Hong Kong and Europe, and I attended the 2014 Global Gathering in Las Vegas after winning a People’s Choice Award. And the best perk is seeing the travel deals before they go to market, so we know the best time to book and can spot a good deal when we see one… expertise is key! Even with my access to these deals, I always book my travel (work or personal) with a consultant. They are the experts and I can call or email if I need something while I am away.
Where have you travelled to? Do you ever go together as a family?
Stephanie: There are too many places to list; approximately 35 countries, both for work and for pleasure. My top three places are Turkey, Empty Quarter (UAE) and Tuscany, my most recent holiday. As a family we’ve travelled Australia extensively, and overseas family holidays included a campervan trip through NZ, East Coast of the USA and Canada to spend a white Christmas with family, plus a ski trip to Japan and Vanuatu for a birthday celebration.
Ashleigh: I’ve travelled to 26 countries and my next holiday is in Bali. When Emily and I were 18, Mum and Dad gifted us with a return international airfare to a destination of our choice. Emily and I travelled through Europe in 2014.
Emily: New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, USA, Japan, Bali, England, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Macau, Hong Kong, Mexico, Vanuatu, Hawaii, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary and various destinations throughout Australia. We probably travelled more as a family when Ashleigh and I were younger as now we travel with our partners, too. We are also planning a ski trip together as a family, which will be great.
Find out how you can help your career to take off at Flight Centre. Visit www.flightcentre.com.au/careers
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