p30-31 Feature Oct23 20/10/09 17:09 Page 30
knowledge careers
ttglive.com
Recruitment
things on their own, they’ve got good self-
confidence, they are excellent communica-
tors and can deliver outstanding customer
Make a flying
service,” she says. “They understand the
importance of making a holiday an
experience for the customer.”
She agrees that for the best career
opportunities, students need to ensure
start in travel
they’re getting hands-on experience as
well as classroom tutoring, and they’re
considering roles beyond the more “obvious”
cabin crew and overseas resort rep jobs.
As the recession impacts on students and graduates
Look at the bigger picture
preparing to enter the industry, what can they do to “Students need to diversify,” says Howard.
stand out from the crowd? Olivia Hemmings reports
“It’s not just about overseas; domestic
tourism is huge. What about tour guiding or
events management? They need to look at
S
tories about the doom and gloom graduated with an MA in Tourism Destina- the alternatives and be prepared to offer
of the recession are enough to send tion Management with distinction, and has help on a voluntary basis.”
anyone in travel burying their head completed the CIM Professional Diploma in During her studies, Zahara worked part-
under the duvet until the dust Marketing. But what she believes sets her time in the sales and events department at
settles and business picks up. No more so apart is the work experience gained during the City Inn Birmingham and in the market-
than students, fresh out of college and look- her studies which has given her a more ing department of a holiday villas provider.
ing for a company to give them a break to practical understanding of the industry. “This gave me a real insight into the
get on that first rung of the ladder. tourism industry and a way of transferring
But what if the recession could actually Putting theory into practice what I was learning into business,” she says.
be an opportunity? Recent graduate Zahara “I’d say you can’t rely on your course to “It also increased my confidence and gave
Cuenca says this is true for her. provide you with adequate work experience. me the advantage of being able to apply
In a time when companies are stripping A greater understanding of how your real-life work experiences to my theory.”
staff levels to the bone, Zahara believes it is learning in theory translates to the real Cuenca also read a lot around the subjects
those individuals who can show drive and world is key,” says Zahara. and took extra classes to improve her skills
creativity that companies are looking to Jackie Howard is a tutor of Travel and and knowledge base.
recruit or keep hold of – talents which Tourism at City College Coventry. She “In this economic climate it is
students fresh out of college should be able believes businesses that want to survive even more important to be able
to demonstrate. beyond the recession need to have people to stand out from the crowd,”
She has an impressive string of academic within their workforce who are keen and she says. “It is not enough to
achievements behind her: nominated ITT educated – including new graduates.
Student of the Year in July, in September she “They can show they can get on with
30 23.10.2009
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