From Application to Icon: Seda's Journey Onboard Icon of the Seas
When Seda sent us her latest update from onboard Icon of the Seas, she already had the perfect title for her story:
“From Application to Icon.”
Seda wasn't new to ships when she came to the Cruise Retail Academy.
Her career already included extensive experience at sea, progressing from retail sales into retail operations and management, alongside experience with premium jewellery, watches and luxury guest service.
But starting a new chapter in your career can still be daunting, however experienced you are.
Seda remembers preparing for her interview:
“I studied, I practised, I asked questions, I doubted myself, I pushed myself. I wasn't just preparing professionally. I was preparing mentally and emotionally to be brave enough to start over after a long journey in other companies.”
Then came the moment all that preparation had been leading towards.
Icon of the Seas. 🚢
Seda describes her first few weeks onboard as intense: new training, systems, colleagues and an enormous amount to learn.
She started in the Logo Shop before moving into Promotions.
Then, only five weeks after embarking, came another opportunity.
Seda moved into the Luxury Shops.
“Three different departments. Five weeks. On Icon of the Seas.
For some, that might just sound like a transfer. For me, it is everything.”
There was more good news too.
Seda achieved a 100% score in her first-month assessment and has now been permanently accepted into the team.
One part of Seda's message particularly meant a lot to us:
“Cruise Retail Academy did not just give me knowledge. They gave me confidence before I even stepped onboard. They gave me the foundation to turn this dream into my everyday reality. I use what you taught me every single day.”
And perhaps the best part of Seda's whole story is what she wrote next:
“Looking back at the woman who was nervously preparing for her interview, feeling all those big emotions before joining... and looking at who I am today, standing proud onboard Icon of the Seas, I can finally say it:
I am so proud of myself.”
And she should be. ❤️
Congratulations Seda.
From application to Icon — and this chapter is only getting started. 🎓🚢
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