Meet graduate Laura Orsbourn: From ITC to Disney to New Zealand lockdown

Laura Orsbourn studied at ITC with a dream of working at Disney, but not long after she landed her dream job, covid-19 threw her plans into disarray.

“ITC is like a real family. When you move away from home (or graduate from ITC), it doesn’t mean you are not able to ever come back. In fact, students come back years after they graduate to say hi, get further career support and guidance and even re-employment. That’s our promise to our graduates,” Mel Jenkins, Marketing Manager at ITC.

ITC is as much a college for those wishing to enter the travel, tourism, and aviation industries, as it is a supportive family. As Mel speaks about in her quote above, graduation from ITC doesn’t mean the support, advice, and communication stops.

In fact, we recently caught up with graduate Laura Orsbourn, who studied at ITC in order to apply for the Disney College program in the US. Her hard work and skills landed her the job, but it wasn’t long before covid derailed her role and saw her packing her bags for New Zealand.

We chatted to Laura about how she got started, what it was like heading home, and her time at ITC. (more…)

NZ Tourism: ITC Industry Expo looks to the future

A representative from Haka Tours speaking at ITC during the 2019 Industry Expo.

ITC is hosting two Industry Expos next month, giving students a chance to hear from tourism employers and how they are adapting to the novel coronavirus, Covid-19. 

The expos are called “Planning For The Future” and will feature a panel of some of the industry’s top employers.

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Tourism jobs ‘coming in quick’ for ITC students & graduates

ITC helps students and graduates find jobs in the tourism industry, including support with CV and interview prep.

One of the biggest perks of studying with ITC is it gives you access to exclusive job opportunities – both when you’re studying and for a lifetime once you graduate. 

The ITC Student Jobs Page lists job roles that are open to ITC students & graduates ONLY. 

“These jobs are relevant jobs in the industry from trusted employers who are looking for their next star employee,” says ITC Marketing Manager Mel Jenkins.

“There are currently over 15 job vacancies listed, and more jobs are coming in quick.”

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Meet ITC graduate Maud Dovil: “I miss studying at ITC”

ITC graduate Maud Dovil (centre) says studying at ITC was such an awesome experience she’d do it all over again.

ITC graduate Maud Dovil says the staff at ITC made her studying experience so enjoyable and rewarding – to the point she misses coming to campus every day!

“Studying is not easy, but at ITC you are actually followed by the tutor and get the support you need,” says Maud.

“Being a student at ITC was fun. ITC prepares you for your career in the tourism industry. From organising special events where we enjoy learning from different cultures, organising CV workshops, famil trips around the country, to role plays in almost real business situations.”

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Dance away Alert Level 3 with ITC! (Plus other Lockdown tips)

Get ready for the ITC Tik Tok Challenge!

To all our Auckland students, friends, and family – you’re doing an amazing job navigating another Level 3 Lockdown. 

Here at ITC, our Auckland students are doing online learning at home – and we’re still having plenty of fun. 

“ITC is famous for its fun, friendly campus culture, so we’re working hard to make sure that culture stays well and truly alive during lockdown,” says ITC Marketing Manager Mel Jenkins.

“Last lockdown, we had weekly themes to keep spirits high – like best dressed, best workspace, and even favourite memes. And this lockdown we’re excited to announce a brand new initiative.”

Introducing the ITC Tik Tok Challenge!

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Visit ITC at the Go With Tourism Expo

ITC representatives at last year’s Go With Tourism Expo.

ITC is once again attending the popular Go With Tourism Expo. 

This amazing expo is a great opportunity to learn more about a career in tourism and meet with different employers and providers, including ITC.

When: Thursday 6 August to Saturday 8 August

Where: ASB Showgrounds (Greenlane)

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Be inspired: “Disney was just the beginning”

ITC graduate Michelle Coutts reflects on her experience living and working at Disney World.

When life throws you challenges and curveballs, some people see them as a setback – others see them as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow.

ITC graduate Michelle Coutts is definitely a glass-half-full person, who looks for the bright side in life.

Like many people across the world, Michelle’s life was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was meant to spend another six months living and working at Disney World – one of her lifelong dreams – but instead she found herself back on a plane to New Zealand sooner than expected. 

Although Michelle would have loved to stay at Disney World for longer, she is so grateful for the experience and knows it was just the beginning of her exciting journey.

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Where will the NZ Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Tourism and Travel take YOU?

Leap into an exciting future with the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Tourism and Travel Level 3.

One of our most popular qualifications is the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Tourism and Travel – and for good reason.

This action-packed, 20-week course is an exciting introduction to the world of travel and tourism, as well as the world of customer service and cross-cultural communication.

Whether you dream of working in the travel and tourism industry – or you’re still figuring out the right career path for you – this qualification is a fantastic place to kickstart your studies after high school.

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Be inspired: ‘I’m a bubbly, confident person thanks to ITC’

Sueni Lambert is happier and more outgoing since joining the ITC family.

Welcome to ‘Be Inspired’. Every few months, we give you a ‘behind-the-scenes’ glimpse into the journey of an inspirational ITC student and share what it took for them to achieve their goals. Everyone climbs their own Everest, and these students hope to inspire others by sharing the truth of their journey to the summit.

When a student walks into the doors of ITC for the first time, they often feel shy and nervous.

Yes, they are excited – but they are also a bit unsure of what’s to come.

When a student walks out the doors of ITC with their qualification, they are often the opposite – confident and outgoing, all traces of shyness gone.

This was certainly the case for Sueni Lambert, an inspiring ITC student who gained immense confidence during her time at the College.

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Aviation, travel, or tourism: What’s right for you?

Whether you’re looking for a job with lots of adventure or something a little less adrenaline-pumping, there’s an ITC qualification for you!

ITC trains people for exciting and rewarding careers in the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors. 

Each of these sectors fall under the main umbrella of the tourism industry, but they are slightly different.

Read on for an overview of each sector to discover which one might be right for you.

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