Where Are They Now: Julia Ross

Julia Ross is a 2017 graduate of the University of Denver. As a member of the Pioneer gymnastics team, she competed primarily vault, bars and beam before adding in floor and performing in the all around in every meet her senior year. With career highs of 9.900 or greater on three of four events and 39.475 in the all around, she is one of the best and most consistent gymnasts to have passed through Denver’s gym. She is a three time Scholastic All-American, and in 2017 she was a second-team NACGC All-American on bars and a regular season second-team All-American on beam and in the all around. She consistently flew under the radar, garnering Denver Gymnastics’ Unsung Hero Award twice in her four years. One year post-graduation, she has settled into life as a flight attendant, paving the way for her to travel while she works.

Note: Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

College Gym News: In 2017 you were part of a Denver team that made NCAA national semifinals for the first time since 2008. What was that experience like?

Julia Ross: It was incredible. Since my freshman year, it had always been our goal to qualify to nationals. We didn’t want it to be from just luck, though. We wanted to know that we earned our spot there, and we did. It was a dream come true to compete and represent the university at that level.

CGN: Why did you decide to become a flight attendant?

JR: I decided to become a flight attendant because I can’t sit still. I did intern as a copywriter part time right after graduation and wasn’t happy. I knew I needed a career where I could be up on my feet, be active and interact with people on a daily basis. I also love to travel, which is an added bonus to the job!

CGN: You started out with Alaska Airlines, but you just went through training with American Airlines. Why did you decide to switch? What was that switch like?

JR: When I first considered becoming a flight attendant, I applied for multiple airlines. I was rejected by plenty—it’s a very competitive industry. Alaska’s regional carrier offered me a job, and I accepted it. American was the first airline I applied for, though, and the company I knew I wanted to work for the most. I knew in my heart Alaska wasn’t where I was meant to be.

The transition was fun for me. I went through a six week training program where I learned everything from evacuating a plane to customer service, raft and sea survival and medical emergency procedures. I made the switch because American is a global airline, and I know I’ll be able to see the world by not only working flights but also through my benefits.

CGN: What has been your favorite aspect of being a flight attendant and why?

JR: You never live the same day twice. I don’t go sit in the same office every day—my office is 35,000 feet in the air. It’s always exciting because I don’t always know where I’m going. Sometimes I’m on call, meaning crew scheduling calls me when they need me to work a flight. One night I might be in Miami, then the next I could be in the Caribbean.

CGN: What are your career aspirations? Do you see being a flight attendant as a long-term career?

JR: I know for sure that I want to stay with American until I retire. I’m not sure if I’ll always be a flight attendant. I’ve considered becoming a recruiter or a trainer for my company. I definitely see myself flying for the next 5 to 10 years, though. I want to spend my 20s traveling and really enjoying all that life has to offer.

CGN: Are there any skills that you learned in gymnastics that have been beneficial in your life whether it’s as a flight attendant or in your personal life?

JR: There are so many! I think one of the biggest skills is being on time. It sounds so simple, but for my job especially I HAVE to be on time or the plane will take off without me. Gymnastics really taught me determination, and I knew I was going to need that when I started job hunting. American received over 500,000 applications in 2017, and they hired 2,000 of those applications for 2018, so I feel very thankful to be part of such a special group. Gymnastics has also given me so much confidence that I carry with me in my everyday life.

CGN: What drew you to Denver, and what do you miss most about it?

JR: What drew me to DU was the amazing atmosphere I felt as soon as I arrived on campus. I loved how the team was such a family, and I knew I really wanted that. I also loved how the classrooms were smaller so I knew I would be getting the best education I could. I would not have come to DU if it weren’t for Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. She is the most loving, caring, sincere coach and mom away from home. She gave me and the girls so much love, and she helped my passion for gymnastics really take off.

CGN: What do you miss most about gymnastics?

JR: That feeling you get when you stick a landing and hear the whole crowd cheering, you feel pride in yourself and know that your teammates, coaches, family and friends are happy and proud of you. I miss my teammates, too; I miss being surrounded by them every day. I miss traveling with my team and all the memories we made along the way.

CGN: What are your goals for the future?

JR: I want to live each day in the moment and not rush things. I enjoyed my college years, and they went by in the blink of the eye. So I want to slow down in my early adulthood and take in each moment. I really want to plan some big trips; so far I’ve been to 10 countries and want to hit many more. Some personal goals of mine are possibly writing a book, owning a home and spending good quality time with my family and friends.

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Article by Tara Graeve