ITC Students Success in Employment

MARY DAI, TOURISM GRADUATE
TOURISM NEW ZEALAND

Since finishing her course, Mary has had three great roles in the Industry. Firstly (during her course) she worked for Tourism Auckland in their busy tourism information office at Sky City, an exciting and fun job. After graduating from her Diploma course, Mary worked for Menzies Aviation at the airport, checking in passengers and working for various airlines at Auckland International airport.

Mary is now working at Tourism New Zealand, after she completed their exclusive graduate programme. “I found the most exciting job in the industry,  to promote New Zealand globally. This is an awesome experience and it’s a unique opportunity for a graduate like me who doesn’t have a lot of marketing experience,” said Mary.
 

LISA ROBSON, CORPORATE TRAVEL CONSULTANT
ATLANTIC PACIFIC AMERICAN EXPRESS

Lisa joined ITC after finishing her studies at Northcote College.  She wanted to meet new people and always thought it was a fun industry.

“ITC helped me gain a better understanding about the Travel and Tourism industry. Helping me realize that it wasn’t all about free travel and actually you  do have to work hard” she said. “The IATA subjects helped me a lot in my current role understanding about fares does help. All the time you have to spend studying for the certificate is worth it”

“The dress code at ITC really prepares you for what you actually have to wear when you work in the industry, especially in a corporate agency presentation is very important. You never know when an important CEO may call into the office” she said. 

JEFFREY MELVILLE, BOX OFFICE
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, AUSTRALIA

Four students from The International Travel College of New Zealand gained summer work with from Cirque du Soleil – Varekai.

While not actually part of the circus performance itself, the ITC students went through a really tough interview and selection process to be involved with the show.

The successful students are working primarily in food and beverage, or the box office, and they are loving the experience. They have all been able to see the show for free (a perk of the job) and are enjoying the hype and excitement of being involved in a major event.

As a result of this awesome experience, Jeffrey Melville was offered a full time contract for 9 months to travel with the Varekai team through Australia!! “I am so excited, this is just a dream job!” he said. “When I left Howick College, I was unsure about what I wanted to do,” said Jeffrey. “ITC were able to give me some idea’s about the kind of jobs that would suit me, thanks Kirsten!” he said.

RAMOANA ARMAMGOO & ALISTAIR NUA , HYATT REGENCY HOTEL

Many ITC students work in the Hotel Industry after their course. Here are two students who both decided to work in this part of the industry. Both students are now working in Guest services at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland.

Alastair Nua, was a student at Avondale college and chose to study with ITC in 2006. “I wanted to learn about other countries and I like meeting people” he said. “ITC gave me great training in customer service skills something I use in my job everyday. Each day is different and even though I miss ITC (yeah right!) I really do enjoy the variety” said Alastair.

Ramoana Armamgoo, a student from Northcote College, also decided that Tourism was for her and studied at ITC in 2006. “Because travel is a passion of mine, I knew if I studied travel and tourism at ITC they would help me into this industry” she said. “Being at ITC helped me in many ways, they made me realise my potential which gave me confidence in myself and encouraged me to learn more.” she said. “I meet so many different people each day from all over the world, so no day is ever the same. The team I work with are great fun, so it’s certainly never boring!” she said. 

Like many students they really like ‘Hotel Life’ and like many jobs in the Industry, they are finding this an exciting role after finishing at ITC.

IKUMI KIMOTO, STAMFORD PLAZA HOTEL

Ikumi came to study travel and tourism from Japan. She was a very popular student, always smiling!

“I learnt at ITC that Customer Service is the key.” said Ikumi. “Everyone in the College has such a positive attitude, throughout the course we talked about the importance of customer service and about going the extra mile” she said.

“The course helped me have a good knowledge of travel and tourism, some guest are impressed by how much I know about New Zealand!” said Ikumi. “At the College we did a lot of role-plays and that really helped my confidence in dealing with customers when I started work” 

Ikumi has already made a real impact at the Stamford Plaza.  When some of the ITC staff were visiting their Human Resources Manager, they noticed that she had been voted Employee of the Month!!

“I also have a part-time role at the Vector Arena and I’m very excited about my future career, it’s such great fun”

AMANDA STRONG, FULLERS GROUP

Amanda came to study travel and tourism after studying at Carmel College. She always wanted to get into travel and tourism, to be part of a fun, exciting industry.

“When I came to ITC, at the beginning of the course they helped me set myself some realistic and achievable goals. This certainly helped me focus on my studies and remember why I choose to do this in the first place! 

“The course really gave me the skills to help and deal with people from many cultures, which is key in my current role!” said Amanda. “I am a lot more assertive now and confident now, so all the practice in the class room really did pay off!!” 

“I’ve been one some excellent industry trips and enjoyed all the products that Fullers offer, plus the Waiheke Vinyeard Tour!” she said.

PETER MURRAY, CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT
AIR NEW ZEALAND

Peter was always interested in working in the industry, and we knew that working in the airline industry would suit him perfectly.

“I had a passion for the industry from a very young age, studying at ITC gave me a great insight in the way companies operate in this industry. Learning about all the great career options helped me decide what parts of the industry I wanted to work in” he said.

“At ITC we learnt about the computer reservations systems and how they worked, this has really helped me when I am checking passengers in” he said. “The ITC customer service skills really helped me to get work for an airline” said Peter. “Having done a lot of role-plays at ITC, it really helped my confidence in dealing with customers when I started work” 

What does he like about the job? “Meeting new people from all over the world, wearing a very fashionable uniform and representing New Zealand not to mention the  cheap travel!” he said. Well done Peter, sounds like you are off to a flying start in the industry!

SARAH MCLAREN, DOMESTIC CONSULTANT
HRG NEW ZEALAND

Sarah joined ITC after finishing her studies at Orewa College. After coming into ITC for a ‘Taster Day’ this made her realise that she wanted to work in the travel and tourism industry.

“The training at ITC gave me all the information I needed to get me a good job. When I went into the workforce I had the ‘RIGHT’ qualifications that employers were looking for” said Sarah.

“I gained a lot of confidence whilst studying, everyone made me believe that I would get a good job. We had so much fun during our course! I knew that if I had the right qualifications I would succeed. The tutors all really encouraged me to work hard I in order to be successful. Thanks a lot to them for all their help” she said.

STEPHANIE PAGE, FULLERS GROUP LTD

Stephanie joined ITC from Kelston Girls High School College.  She had always wanted to get into the travel and tourism industry due to a lot of traveling she had done with sport.

“I was keen to learn about the industry and see what options were open to me. I didn’t know much about the industry, but ITC helped me see all the different careers that were on offer once we have graduated” said Stephanie.

“The support ITC provided during my courses, and then helping me into a job was great.  Learning about the importance of customer service, computer reservations, and how to deal with different types of people has made settling into my new job so much easier!” 

“Here at Fullers there are a lot of ITC graduates, it was an added bonus to some colleagues that you already know!  The industry ‘famil’ trips are heaps of fun! I really enjoying working in the industry and am looking forward to a great career!”