Alyson Kriz, Ambassador for The Dot

I participated in pageants for several years. Through this experience, I met amazing people and learned important lessons. My experience in pageantry taught me lessons that would extend beyond the crown to my career”  

Here’s what I learned:

1.“Different judges, different day.”

Every contestant has her own set of strengths, her own mission, and her own goals. Knowing who you are and what you can bring to the pageant title and community is your biggest superpower. The judges are looking for someone specific in attributes and mission, and you are not always going to be that person. But eventually, you will be. There will be a day you will show up and be the person the judges are looking for. This requires persistence and unyielding faith. After six local pageants, I finally became that person the judges were looking for. I finally got my crowning moment, and it was worth every second of waiting and preparation.  

The judges are looking for someone specific in attributes and mission, and you are not always going to be that person. But eventually, you will be. 

Working for a major US airline, competition for everything is fierce. According to Business Insider, of the approximately 150,000 people that apply yearly to be a Delta Flight Attendant, only 1% make the cut. By comparison, the acceptance rate for Harvard’s class of 2021 was 5.2% (Gillett, 2018). Once you are actually in the Company, promotions, special assignments, and even lateral moves are equally competitive. You are going up against the best of the best and are not always going to be the person they are looking for when applying for those promotions, special assignments, and lateral moves. But recognizing and cultivating your strengths will help you grow into the person you want to be, and one day, they will be looking for a person just like you to fill that role.

2. Dress like you mean it. 

Dressing well is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success. You are your own brand. How you show up for you is how you show up for others.  Dressing well does not have to be expensive. Poshmark is probably one of the greatest inventions of our generation. Not only have I sold my own clothing, but I’ve also bought many of my name brand professional clothes at half price or less. 

You are your own brand. How you show up for you is how you show up for others.

3. Pay it forward. Always choose kindness and goodness.

Pageants are expensive! Luckily, I had a lot of amazing mentors, friends, and many former titleholders who helped me out. I exchanged babysitting services for coaching, interviews, and resume consultation. I had titleholders who would pass on their expensive shoes and dresses when I was a recent college graduate and couldn’t afford them. Once I had finished competing, I then passed on my dresses, shoes, and knowledge of the system onto other contestants.    When I became a flight attendant the kindness and generosity of other flight attendants helped me in my career transition. I was offered rides home, places to stay if I needed it, and meals to share. Now, as a seasoned flight attendant, purser, and mentor in the aviation industry, I try to extend the same kindness that I was given and experienced. Life is not always easy, but choosing kindness can make it easier.

4. Stay up to date on current events. Read the newspaper. 

Before my very first pageant it was recommended to me by another contestant to read the newspaper every day and stay up to date on current events. The interview portion of the competition could contain questions about anything and everything, not just questions about you or your platform. I committed to trying to read the newspaper during breakfast every day. This proved helpful at the Miss Minnesota competition, where I was asked—for four out of the eight minutes of my interview—about the war in Iraq at the time.   

Working in the aviation industry, we are truly in the business of people. Being aware of current events and mindful of what is happening in the cities we live and work in is critical. On a more general level, it also taught me how important participating in local, state, and presidential elections is to being informed as well. Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms we have as an American. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did women in America in centuries past. No matter who or what you believe in or support, it is important to stay informed and use that information to exercise your fundamental rights.

5. Always clap for the winner. 

 While this may seem simple, it’s not always easy. I, unfortunately, learned this lesson the hard way. On finals night of Miss Minnesota, I watched and cheered on as one of my best friends stood next to another contestant as they were down to the final two, waiting eagerly to find out who would be Miss Minnesota and who would be the runner-up. When my friend was announced as the runner up, my face instantly fell. It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy for the winner, but that I was sad and disappointed for my friend. Instead of being overwhelmingly supportive for the winner—who had worked tirelessly to get to this crowning moment—my face showed my disappointment and shock. And, worse, my face would continue to show up in that crowning moment pictures for years to come. I regret this every time I see the photos. Learning this lesson, however, was critical for me to understand how important it is to support others; you are not always going to be the winner, but one day, you will be.

You are not always going to be the winner, but one day, you will be.

Gillett, R. (2018, March 18). Inside the intensive, two-month training all Delta flight attendants must attend that’s harder to get into than Harvard. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-airlines-flight-attendant-training-school-inside-look-2018-3