Testimonials

Ginny Tong (Ginny) previously worked in sales, a role that required her to be "on call 24/7,” making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This eventually made her question whether it was the path she truly wanted. She wanted a career with long-term prospects, a steadier rhythm, and one that genuinely suited her strengths. By chance, she came across the Diploma in Aviation Operations (DAO) online. The comprehensive curriculum and the 12-month paid placement immediately caught her attention. “The earn and learn model was perfect for me. I could keep my income while preparing for a new career — which is so important when you’re changing careers.”Although she had no aviation background, Ginny grew up near the airport and often watched planes take off and land. It sparked her curiosity about the industry. After enrolling in the programme, she was introduced to seven different sectors, a process which helped her better understand her interests and strengths. She eventually chose Air Cargo for her 12-month paid placement. “I wasn’t very comfortable with customer-facing roles, so I ruled out passenger services and ground handling. After learning about air cargo in class, I found it really interesting. Since I had handled goods in my previous job, choosing air cargo felt like a natural fit.”

Ginny successfully joined Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) as an intern, where she handled cargo documentation and coordinated cargo loading arrangements. After graduation, she was offered a full-time position and has now been with the company for over two years.

Ginny admits that it took time to adjust to balancing classes and placement work. But once she found a rhythm, she was able to manage her schedule effectively. She is also grateful for the support she received from instructors and classmates. “Coming from a different industry, I wasn’t familiar with many things at first. But my classmates and colleagues were always willing to teach me, and the instructors patiently answered my questions. Their support helped me adapt to the aviation industry much faster.”

She described the classroom learning as a  "booster shot” — compact, practical, and highly relevant. Modules such as air cargo, aviation security, and aviation regulations provided her with essential foundational knowledge before entering the workplace, enabling her to pick things up more quickly. “Air cargo has a strong rhythm and a good level of challenge. Handling different types of shipments every day makes the work feel meaningful and fulfilling.”

Beyond technical knowledge, the programme also emphasised workplace soft skills, including CV writing, interview techniques, and presentation training. “I used to write my CV by trial and error. It wasn’t until the classes that I realised there were so many professional techniques. They were incredibly useful.”

Transitioning from sales to air cargo, Ginny has shown that changing careers isn’t something to fear. As long as you’re willing to try, you can find a path that suits you better. The Diploma in Aviation Operations helped her balance work and study, guiding her toward a direction that truly belongs to her. Today, she is steadily building a new future in the aviation industry.