A Life of Dreams and Determination
How I Left the Justice System to Chase My Flight Attendant Dream
At 40, embarking on a new career path might seem unconventional â but for me, it marked the realization of a long-held dream. My professional journey began as an interpreter and translator for the Italian Ministry of Justice (Ministero della Giustizia), where I spent my early years bridging communication between Italian and Romanian cultures.
While fulfilling on paper, the job felt unstable in reality. Missions were unpredictable, and income was rarely consistent. I took pride in working within courtrooms and legal settings, yet I longed for something more structured, adventurous, and truly fulfilling. The thrill of travel had always fascinated me â and slowly, the idea of becoming a flight attendant took root. Funny, isnât it?
After years of soul-searching and endless âwhat now?â moments, I finally embraced my passion for adventure. I knew I had to take a leap toward something that brought me joy.
Of course, this wasnât an easy transition. Friends and family questioned my decision â but I understood that embracing change was essential for personal growth. It was my life, after all! So I began researching what it would take to become a flight attendant, and committed to the journey ahead.
Through this process, I learned a powerful lesson: resilience is everything. Each step reaffirmed my belief that itâs never too late to shift direction and follow your passion. My story is proof: dreams can take flight at any age. If I did it, you can too.
A New Direction: The Decision to Change Careers
At 35, I stood at a crossroads, wondering what came next. My life had been full of interesting experiences â yet something still felt incomplete.
During a routine flight, I observed the cabin crew move through the aisle with such grace. Their warmth and professionalism made passengers feel calm and welcomed. Watching them, I felt something spark inside me: This… this is what brings me joy. The aviation world started to call me louder. Flying wasnât just about exploring new destinations â it was about human connection, culture, and service. Inspired by others who had changed careers later in life, I finally permitted myself to follow my dream.
Looking back, this decision was driven by a blend of passion, curiosity, and a hunger for new experiences. That moment was the launch pad for my transition into aviation â and a reminder that the sky doesn’t care how old you are. Your dream just needs you to show up.
The Application Journey: Rejections and Resilience
Breaking into the aviation industry â especially at a later age â isnât always smooth. My journey with Ryanair began full of hope… followed by a wave of rejection.
One major challenge? My Romanian citizenship. Romania had joined the EU only recently (in 2007), and some hiring policies werenât updated yet. I applied over and over, but felt like the odds were stacked against me. Then I realized another roadblock: my English skills. While I could communicate, I struggled with aviation-specific vocabulary and barely managed during tests or interviews. Each refusal chipped away at my confidence, but it also strengthened my determination.
I didnât let those rejections define me. Instead, I used them as fuel. I enrolled in language courses, practiced interview questions â all on my own. I truly wish someone had guided me or held my hand through the process. But there was no one, just me.
That solitude taught me strength. The setbacks were painful, yes, but they became stepping stones. And I kept climbing.
Self-Improvement and The Fight for English Proficiency
Improving my English was crucial, not just for passing tests, but for feeling confident in the role. So I got creative. I joined a local language exchange group and started chatting with native speakers. Those real-life conversations helped me overcome my insecurities and gradually build fluency.
Beyond that, I immersed myself in English daily. Podcasts, movies, online lessons… and yes, even the Discovery Channelâs plane crash documentaries. Weird choice? Definitely. Helpful? Incredibly.
Because guess what? I didnât just improve my English, but I learned aircraft vocabulary, crew protocols, and safety terms. By the time I joined the aviation industry, I already understood a great deal more than I had expected.
Facing Fears and Building Confidence
My journey toward becoming a flight attendant with Ryanair was filled with a rollercoaster of emotions, from trepidation to exhilaration. Stepping into this new profession at 40, I was acutely aware of the challenges ahead and the fears that come with them. The first step involved deep preparation.
I spent countless hours researching the airline industry, especially Ryanair, to understand their values and expectations. That process not only helped me grasp the role better but also boosted my confidence. I focused on developing my interpersonal skills and practicing situational responses â essential traits for any flight attendant. My emotions fluctuated throughout. The first interview was undoubtedly nerve-wracking. But as I progressed through five interviews, I grew more self-assured. Each round was an opportunity to demonstrate what Iâd learned and identify areas where I could improve.Â
I always say on my italian YouTube channel, Vola con Carmen (“Fly with Carmen”): âFailing an interview isnât failure â itâs training for success.â Every attempt was a bridge toward clarity. At my final interview, the recruiter asked how many times Iâd applied. âFour,â I replied. He paused for what felt like an eternity. Then came the nod. That was the moment he gave me my chance.
Becoming a Flight Attendant
 When I received the acceptance offer to become a flight attendant at 40, a wave of emotions hit me like never before. I cried â not because it was hard, but because it had finally happened. This wasnât just a job offer. It was the tangible proof of a dream I had nurtured for years.Â
That email from Ryanair wasnât simple. It was a reward for persistence, a message that dreams arenât tied to youth. It shattered the myth that certain careers are reserved only for the young and spotlighted resilience instead. Now, as I begin this new chapter, I hope my story encourages others to keep striving for their dreams, no matter their age. Because age is just a number â and dreams have no expiration date.
Lessons Learned
Belief in Yourself Matters! Becoming a flight attendant at 40 brought its share of challenges â but also powerful lessons in belief, consistency, and determination. The greatest lesson? Believe in yourself. Self-doubt can crush ambition, especially during major career shifts. But positive belief gave me momentum. It helped me move forward through obstacles that might have stopped someone else.Â
Consistency was another game changer. Daily effort â big or small â made all the difference. Whether it was prepping for interviews or refining customer service skills, every step added fuel to my goal. That consistency built resilience, a must-have for anyone changing careers. And then came determination.
There were disappointments. Rejections. Training moments that tested my patience. But I reminded myself: My dreams are my dreams. No one could steal them. No one could stop me from chasing what was mine. Each setback wasnât a dead end â it was growth in disguise. I learned to adapt, to refocus, and to believe harder than before.
A Message of Encouragement
Looking back at my journey to becoming a flight attendant at 40, I feel deep gratitude â not just for the destination, but for the path itself. This story proves one thing clearly: Pursuing dreams isnât reserved for a certain age. Challenges and uncertainty marked my path, but they didnât define it, they enriched it. In aviation, every day is a new chance. And in life, too, we all reach moments where we question our direction. Society calls it âmiddle age.â I call it âa new runway.â Each setback I faced made me push harder. Because of determination and consistency?
If you’re interested in other aviation careers, check out our comprehensive guide on various aviation roles.
Conclusion
They donât check your passport age before letting you board. If youâre standing at the edge, wondering if you should jump, do it. Dreams donât wait. The sky isnât the limit; itâs just the beginning. Your journey will be filled with growth, joy, and experiences you canât yet imagine. Believe in your strength, chase those aspirations with heart, and take the first step. Because yes, your new adventure truly awaits
