magaly | b-side #5

32 years old. born in nantua, france. we sat down for this interview on the 30th of december 2020

Getting Down to Business

1. What is your job profile?

Flight Attendant.

2. What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?

That we travel a lot, and we don’t work. That we always stay in the places that we travel to, for vacations or something. Most of the times, I don't even get out of the airplane. People only see the Instagram picture.

3. What was your first job?

I don’t think I have ever felt the responsibility of having a job because I started to work at my parents' cafe.

4. What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?

Because I feel like I have never had a real job, I feel like I’ve always had a stroke of luck. I always had good timing and the right people around me. Oddly enough, this makes it harder for me to think about what I have achieved.

5. What led you to this career?

Vanity.

6. What characteristic or behavior do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I am very insightful. I am good at understanding others and their needs. I think I've developed a sense of awareness and always try to understand where other people might be coming from.

7. How do you prefer to end your day?

Peacefully. I cannot start my day in a rush I need one hour to really take my time in the morning and perform my daily routine.

8. What energizes you at work?

Coffee… no I'm joking. Knowing that I am doing a good job.

9. If you could add one thing to your company office, what would it be?

I would like my company to be more modern, to use more technology.

10. What have you learnt from your worst job experience?

I have learned that I am not able to change everything. I cannot, alone, change the world, some things are beyond my control.

11. Do you feel like you have made mistakes in your career? Did you learn a valuable lesson from those mistakes?

Yes. Sometimes I was not ready for the challenges I was facing, because I was being lazy. I was too relaxed about it, and I should’ve had put more effort into it.

Let’s get Personal

12. What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Don't worry. Everything, falls into place.

13. One trip that has changed your life and why?

Calcutta. Stop complaining! This were the words echoing in my head. I realized how little I knew about struggle. Example: Three days without showering is not the worst thing that can happen.

14. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

That I have insecurities.

15. What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

I am trying to let go of my ghosts, especially when it comes to relationships. Even if the past events have shaped me, they cannot have the power to control and condition who I am.

16. What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?

Incenses for fifty cents, at the Chinese store.

17. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

My philosophy teacher once told me, when I left Portugal, to go live abroad, that I make a lot of people happy and people in the country that I was moving to, should experience the joy I am able to pass on to people.

18. What quote or saying do people spout but is complete BS?

I am the way I am!

19. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?

Meghan Markle.

20. What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?

Stop smoking.

21. What subjects should be taught in school but aren’t?

Civic Education. I think kids should have a psychologist in school to help them to find out more about who they are. I think this is something I wish I would have had.

22. What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Funny, extrovert and loud.

Time to have fun

23. If you could choose a name for yourself, what would it be?

I wouldn't change my name - I think Magaly is the perfect name for me, even though I hated it when I was younger.

24. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

To be able to read other people's minds.

25. What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?

Hot Yoga.

26. Which season is your favorite?

Fall.

27. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this week?

You will only be able to know that you are a good parent, when your kid becomes an adult.

28. What’s one item you want to own that you don’t?

A Rolex. Sarkozy once said that you can only say you have reached something in life when you have bought a Rolex. (LOL)

29. What’s one totally irrational fear that you have?

Being buried alive.

30. What’s your favorite sport to watch and which team do you root for?

I mostly like to watch Portugal's soccer team play.

31. What’s the top destination on your must- visit list?

Fiji.

32. What’s one item you can’t leave your house or apartment without?

Shoes.

33. What book are you reading now?

None.

34. Do you think it is important for companies to get to know people beyond their job profile?

Yes.