Graduate interview: Meet the ITC graduate who discovered her dream job after studying at ITC!

Meet the ITC graduate who discovered her dream job after studying at ITC!

After graduating from ITC, Paige Halpin set out to take on the world of tourism and travel – although she didn’t quite know exactly where she wanted to be just yet.

She began with a stint at Walt Disney World, and only discovered her dream job once she returned home to New Zealand.

We asked her all about it in our latest graduate interview, as well as how Covid-19 affected her career, what she thinks is next for the industry, and her advice for current and upcoming ITC students! (more…)

Fact vs fiction: Which tourism news stories are actually true?

New Zealand’s tourism industry is a topic of hot debate. But which stories are actually true?

As New Zealand passes its one year anniversary of closing the borders and locking down, the news has been spending a lot of time reporting on, and speculating about, the tourism industry.

Of course, with the borders closed and no international tourists coming in, tourism operators have not enjoyed the same level of business as they usually would. But that’s not to say tourism is dead, or that it will never return, or that those working in the industry are completely out of luck, or even that those who want to get into the industry should think otherwise.

There’s simply a lot of half-truths and overly negative press coverage at the moment, and we’d like to offer a more positive point of view and set the record straight! (more…)

It’s no joke! You can still enrol for our 2021 Business in Tourism Diploma

It’s not too late to enrol in ITC’s two-year Business in Tourism Diploma!

It might be April 1 tomorrow, but we’re not kidding around – we’re still accepting enrolments for our two-year Business in Tourism Diploma.

Courses start for this diploma at our Auckland City and South Auckland campuses on April 19, so you still have time to enrol and earn yourself a fantastic qualification that will be recognised by tourism and travel operators here in New Zealand and around the world.

Here’s a little more about what diploma involves and how you can enrol to kick-start your career in tourism. (more…)

Meet Acacia Barnes: A graduate who enrolled at ITC after more than a decade in another industry

Student Acacia Barnes is studying with ITC after first spending a decade in an entirely different industry!

In March 2020, Acacia Barnes was like many students around New Zealand. She was finishing up her studies at ITC and looking forward to an exciting career ahead – but the pandemic threw a spanner in those works.  

Thanks to ITC’s flexibility, all ITC students were able to quickly switch to our online platform, which is how Acacia completed her level 4 studies with us shortly after in June.

From going back to school after more than a decade in another industry, to studying during lockdowns, to now continuing her studies at level 5, Acacia has quite the inspiring story to tell. We caught up with her recently to chat about her time at ITC, goals and hopes for the future, and advice for anyone thinking of studying at ITC. (more…)

ITC continues to support and stay in touch with graduates

Graduation marks the end of a student’s studies with us, but it’s definitely not the end of the relationship, as we continue to support our graduates for many years to come.

One of the many things that makes ITC stand out from other colleges and universities is our level of involvement with our students and graduates.

We don’t just wave them goodbye as they graduate and never see them again – instead, we stay in touch, offering support and any assistance they need in the industry.

Recently, our wonderful Employment Consultants Sarndra and Nicky, and Short Course Tutors Daniel and Sarah have been reaching out to each class of graduates. Here’s how it’s been going!

Checking in with graduates

Even though New Zealand has done remarkably well compared with many places, we know that it has still been a tough year for everyone. That’s why we decided to reach out and check in with our graduates.

Class by class, Sarndra, Nicky, Daniel, and Sarah have been reaching out to see how they have been doing, and see what they’re up to in their careers now. We’ve also been making sure they know they have options for further study with us if they’d like to take this time to upskill, and as always, we’ve been supporting them with career advice and helping to connect them to job opportunities whenever possible.

Every single graduate has been happy to hear from us, and we’ve loved hearing back from each of them. We’re so happy to hear that they appreciate us reaching out, and that has helped them to feel a little more supported in their careers.

How it’s been going

We’ve been hearing a lot of fantastic feedback from our efforts so far. Here are just a few examples from Employment Consultants Nicky and Sarndra.

“I spoke to one of our lovely level 4 students last week who was very excited to share their new job success with me, and she let me know that the CV and interview tips helped her with the job process. Although she is in a non-tourism job at the moment, she absolutely loves it and has said that a lot of what she learnt on her level 3 and 4 course is extremely useful and that she is super happy that she studied at ITC.” – Sarndra

“I’ve had two really good chats with Quentina, who would love you to help her with her CV, and Shannice who I’ve finally convinced to complete Diploma.” – Sarah

“The uncertainty around at the moment in Auckland with the lockdowns is a little unsettling so our students really appreciate hearing a friendly voice with some suggestions and help around the next phase. It’s nice to know they haven’t walked out of our doors and been forgotten or left to their own devices, so many are a bit lost at the moment.” – Nicky

“One student thought her dream of going overseas to work was dashed but I put her in touch with the lovely team at International Working Holidays, and although she may not end up by going away, she now knows that she can actually travel still as there are places that are relatively safe and are looking for students still.” – Sarndra

“Many of our Botany students were just trying to make it through their course towards the end of last year so were not thinking about what would happen next, so to get a call and talk through some ideas has been a relief and they have all been grateful to receive a call.” – Nicky

“Many students were still in their part time jobs they were in already, as they just needed to chill over summer with what they already knew and felt comfortable with, but they have been inspired now to start looking at other options, and again, grateful for the support.” – Sarndra

“We had one student who never thought to contact us as she had relocated to Wellington and didn’t realise we could still help her outside of Auckland, and was so grateful that we called her to see how she was. She is considering a move back and we are working together to find a great position for her.” – Nicky

Nicky, Sarndra, Daniel, and Sarah have really enjoyed reconnecting with graduates and offering their support, and are continuing to reach out to graduates all over the country for a friendly chat and advice as needed.

If you’d like to learn more about studying with ITC and kick starting a career in travel, tourism, and aviation, get in touch to chat with our team and find out what we can offer you.

Campus Study – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.itc.co.nz/contact-us/

Soft skills: What are they and why do you need them?

Soft skills are all about how you interact with other people, so you’ll need them no matter which career you choose.

Whether you’re looking to get into a career in travel, tourism, and aviation, or whether you’re seeking work in marketing, teaching, business, or practically anything else, you’ll hear about soft skills – and you’ll need them.

Here’s a little more about what soft skills are, why you need them, and how you’ll learn all about them at ITC. (more…)

Meet Camille Gale: The graduate whose career improved thanks to covid-19!

Camille Gale’s career actually improved thanks to covid-19!

The coronavirus has been a major upheaval for us all, especially for many in the tourism industry.

However, we recently spoke to one student who has found the silver lining amidst the changes of the past year, and who has actually found that her career has benefitted from the pandemic.

Here’s our chat with Camille Gale, including her thoughts on what’s next for New Zealand tourism, and her advice for future students! (more…)

Meet Kyle Horsefield: From an unhappy job to graduating from ITC and a bright future ahead

Kyle Horsefield went from being unhappy at his work to looking forward to a bright future with help from ITC.

Kyle Horsefield was one of our students at the Botany Campus last year. Like many students, covid-19 arrived and threatened to interfere with his studies and qualifications.

However, thanks to Kyle’s strong work ethic and our wonderful tutors and flexible learning opportunities, Kyle finished the year and is now looking forward to a bright future, even including further tertiary study.

We caught up with Kyle recently to hear more about how he began his time at ITC, how he found his time with us, and what his plans are next. (more…)

How ITC’s flexibility makes tertiary study possible, no matter what life throws at you

ITC offers flexible study options, so you can earn your qualifications no matter what life throws at you.

Continuing with your studies after high school is a wonderful way to earn an education at a higher level, and to gain knowledge and skills specialised for your future dream career.

Unfortunately, not all universities and colleges make that as straight-forward as it could be. Many demand in-person attendance from Monday to Friday, with few options for flexibility, even if you desperately need it.

ITC understands that for some, tertiary study isn’t as simple as just showing up to class every day. We know that life can throw things at you that make a ‘normal’ study schedule practically impossible, no matter how badly you want to earn your qualifications. (more…)

Education through hardship: How one student completed her qualifications against the odds

Despite major challenges, graduate Jessica Collingwood completed her qualifications with ITC and Study From Home.

We often catch up with past students and graduates. We love hearing about how they’re going in the industry, and seeing their updates as they move into dream jobs meeting people, travelling, and learning.

But not all stories are about study then work. 

Recently, we spoke to recent student Jessica Collingwood, and learned about how our famed flexible learning options weren’t just convenient, but made it possible for Jessica to graduate. (more…)