At 18 years old, Cristina Assuncao is embarking on a career that many dream of—helping shape the future of Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). As a trainee in the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) team, Cristina is embracing the opportunities that come with working in Australia’s newest and soon-to-be operational 24/7 airport.
In this interview, she shares her firsthand experience of launching into an aviation career with WSI.
Q. Thanks for catching up with us today, Cristina. To get started, I'd love to hear about how you secured your role with WSI?
A. Looking back, I’d say my curiosity about WSI was sparked after a visit to the Experience Centre with my peers from Plumpton High School. That visit really opened my eyes to the exciting work happening here in Western Sydney.
I applied on WSI's website with my resume and cover letter. After this, I completed an online interview where I answered questions on my background and aspirations. I completed an online interview which must have gone well as I was invited back for a second face-to-face interview. Here, I answered questions about my schooling and goals for the future and a few weeks later, I was thrilled to receive the offer for the AOCC Traineeship. This was the first time I had gone through an application and recruitment process like this, so it was great to have the WSI team support me with phone calls and updates throughout.
Q. Now that you're part of the WSI team, can you give us an overview of what your day-to-day role entails?
A. My role as an AOCC Trainee has me learning about all of the systems that WSI will use as an operational airport. It’s a full-time role and I’m also studying Certificate IV in Business at a local TAFE.
I am really looking forward to combining the skills and theory from my TAFE course with all the exciting aspects of managing and operating an airport – things like plane allocation, air traffic, ground handling and security processes.
Q. With the opening of WSI rapidly approaching, what are you most looking forward to?
A. Seeing the new systems that my team is commissioning actually come to life and operate the airport is what I am most excited for. It will be fascinating to see how different areas of the operations center work together and to be part of that process.
As a Western Sydney local myself, I am also really looking forward to seeing the opportunities that WSI will bring to the region. As Sydney's first 24/7 airport I really think that as flights take off here, so too will many other businesses, industries and other people's careers.
Q. What did you study in years 11 and 12 and do you think it prepared you for what you're doing now?
A. During Years 11 and 12, I studied English, Mathematics, Business Studies, Software Design and Development, and Information and Digital Technology. I’d say they have absolutely helped to prepare me for the Certificate IV in Business I am currently completing at TAFE. I'd also say these subjects helped me develop essential knowledge and base skills that I use each day here at WSI.
Q. What advice do you have for young people in Western Sydney looking for careers in aviation?
A. Give it a go! Don’t be afraid to put your name forward for jobs or experiences in this industry—there are so many career paths in aviation and now they're also local thanks to WSI. Fear can be the only thing stopping you from achieving your dream, so my biggest piece of advice is to always be confident and believe in yourself.
