Purser Elaine Mamo always loved the world of aviation and when, in 1998, Emirates launched their Malta route, she was one of the first three Maltese flight attendants selected to join the Dubai-based international airline.

Now, 10 years on, she shares with The Times her travel experiences and challenges and speaks about how rewarding and satisfying it is working for an airline such as Emirates.

Ms Mamo's career in civil aviation started at Malta International Airport in 1994. A few years later, in March 1998, soon after having concluded an airline crew navigation course in London, Emirates launched a service to Malta. The airline made its first call for eligible Maltese candidates interested in serving as cabin crew. She was among the first successful ones.

"Nothing short of a continuously challenging and positive learning curve" is how she describes her first decade with Emirates. "I left home still a pampered girl. In less than a year in Dubai I had turned into an independent woman."

What Ms Mamo really likes about her job are the opportunities it represents in terms of enriching oneself through unlimited discoveries and exploration of new countries, people and cultures.

Of course, one is not always in high spirits, especially when facing some embarrassing moment. Ms Mamo recalls one such instance: "Having announced to passengers over the PA system upon landing that the actual local time in that particular destination was 5 a.m. I later learnt it was in fact 5 p.m.! I never encountered as many puzzled faces having a go at their watches at the same time. I'm only human and we all make mistakes."

But, there again, there are then other moments one will always cherish.

To Ms Mamo it is every milestone in her career to date, starting as grade 2 flight attendant working in economy, then being promoted to the premium class cabins, to include business and first class, to senior flight stewardess in charge of economy and business cabins and, ultimately, becoming the first Maltese female to be promoted to the role of purser.

Her work has stood her in good stead and she feels that independence, strength of character, determination, accountability, discipline, resilience, tolerance and empathy are the life skills acquired over the past 10 years.

And, of course, having to deal with so many people of different cultures and moods in an enclosed space for long periods of time, one would need to master as many skills as possible.

"We deal with a whole range of situations and, yes, some are more difficult than others. But we are extremely well trained and it pays off when you face challenging situations on board. Our main concern is that passengers are safe and comfortable and have the best possible experience with Emirates," Ms Mamo says very professionally.

She has advice to give to those interested in taking up a career as cabin crew: "Keep your wits about you and just be yourself. Emirates is looking for candidates with unique personalities coupled with adaptable and resilient characters who are eager to learn and deal positively with challenges."

About the airline that employs her, Ms Mamo is, as expected full of praise. Emirates, she says, has shown itself to be a leader in the aviation industry and always at the forefront of new developments. Training is second to none and the prospects for career development are there for those who are ambitious enough.

She looks ahead towards her second decade at Emirates with optimism.

She would like to further develop her skills and maintain a steady growth on her career path. A prospective role she has been eyeing with interest is that of instructor at the aviation college. Meanwhile, she will be keeping herself busy with the several job-related online courses available and maintain active participation in the various roles she undertakes to assist and support colleagues, something she finds both very fulfilling and rewarding.

An Emirates cabin crew recruitment team will be holding an open day for prospective Maltese candidates interested to join the rapidly-expanding international airline. An information session will be held on Saturday at the InterContinental Hotel, St George's Bay, St Julians at 9 a.m. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend further assessments, which will be held between Sunday and Tuesday.

Candidates must be aged 21 and over at the time of joining (they can be 20 at the time of application) and must present their curriculum vitae, together with a full length and passport-size photograph in business attire.

www.emiratesgroupcareers.com