Introducing Vanessa: Former student and brand new Employment Consultant at ITC!
Vanessa getting into the spirit at ITC!
Last week, we continued our 30th anniversary celebrations with a blog featuring three past ITC graduates, who all shared their memories and experiences. One of those graduates was Vanessa Barnett, who began studying with us in 2003.
She has since had an incredible career in travel and tourism, returned to ITC as a Course Advisor in 2023, and is now stepping into a new role with us as an Employment Consultant!
We’re so excited to have her on the team, and to see her helping the next generation of graduates find work in the industry. Of course, we had to learn more – read on to find out about what she’s most excited for, how ITC sets itself apart, and her advice for students!
What are you most excited about in your new role as Employment Consultant?
As a former ITC student myself, having had that employment support first hand was invaluable for me. Sarndra helped me find my first job in wholesale a LONG time ago, and I had an amazing career that enabled me to travel the world, going places and seeing things that I would have never been able to do otherwise. If I can do the same for our students, that will be a very rewarding experience for me!
Having worked closely with our students as a Course Advisor, what do you enjoy most about helping students with their next steps?
Some of our students come to us feeling unsure of themselves and what their future holds, and I have really loved seeing so many of them blossom into confident and capable young people, and getting to support them in that process.
What do you think are some of the things that make ITC students stand out to employers?
Because of the supportive environment we offer, our students will hopefully leave us feeling proud and confident about all that they have achieved, and aware of their own potential. After 30yrs of business, there are ex-ITC students everywhere within the industry, both in Aotearoa and overseas, and that means employees know that an ITC student will be reliable, well-presented and there for the right reasons. Our industry is all about connecting with people and having passion for what you do – which is something our students are instilled with here at ITC and take with them into the workplace.
What is one piece of advice you would give our students when it comes to preparing for work or finding their first job in the industry?
Something that I hope to instil in our students with the new role is to ensure that they walk into an interview or a new job confident in what they know, and prepared to tackle what they don’t. There will always be something new to learn; so curiosity and a thirst for knowledge will always make the unknown seem less daunting.
What are you hoping to help our students achieve in your new role?
Most of our students come to us at an age that can feel overwhelming, and they are about to truly enter the adult world for the first time when they graduate from ITC. This can be a daunting prospect, so my goal is ensure that they are armed with enough knowledge to carry them forward into a bright future, to have the confidence in their own ability, and to know that they have support from not only myself but the wider ITC whanau.
ITC: Where Employment Consultants exist specifically to help you find work!
How many colleges and universities have dedicated staff for helping students and graduates find work? Not only that, but our Employment Consultants are here to help long after a student leaves ITC – even if you’re looking for a role change years later!
We’re so excited to have Vanessa on the team, and for her to help make the kinds of connections between graduates and jobs that she once benefitted from herself.
Learn more about our course options here, or get in touch with any questions here!
Posted in News, Staff News, Student success | Tagged Employment Consultant, Full circle, Student success, Team interview | Leave a reply