ITC graduate launches herself into big new role with AJ Hackett
Graduate Fleur has already had an incredibly exciting career – and she’s only just begun!
In early 2023, we chatted with ITC graduate Fleur who had just landed an incredible role with AJ Hackett.
Two years on, we heard about her adventures overseas, and her promotion to a managerial level at AJ Hackett. And since ITC loves to stay in touch with graduates and celebrate their successes, we thought we’d share her wonderful stories and news with new students considering following in her footsteps!
What’s your official new title? What are the changes or new responsibilities that comes with this type of role?
I am now a Nevis Site Controller. My role covers pretty much everything across the whole Nevis site—Compliance, HR, Health & Safety, maintenance, you name it. It’s a huge responsibility, and there’s so much to learn. But I’m definitely super keen for it.
To succeed in this role, you’ve got to have a handle on every area of the business, so I’m constantly staying busy, learning new things, and handling a wide variety of tasks. It’s a steep learning curve, but I’m loving the opportunity to grow and take on more responsibility.
Tell us some of the highlights since we caught up with you in 2023?
Since we last caught up in 2023, a lot’s happened. First off, I took my first solo overseas trip to Canada. It was all on me—planning, booking, everything. I even met up with a friend who used to work at AJ Hackett, which inspired me to take on a new role working on the mountain. I did a ton of exploring, covering heaps of ground, and so far, my favourite spot has definitely been Banff.
I’ve done 2 full seasons of snowboarding, and I’m absolutely loving it! Had to trade the waves from home with something, I was up the slopes every chance I got, night skis were wicked for after work with mates.
One of the best parts of my job is meeting people from all over the world. AJ Hackett attracts so many young travellers and like-minded people, and even though it’s always a bit sad to see them leave, I know we’ll cross paths again as I keep travelling and discovering new places.
Queenstown is still blowing me away. It’s honestly so stunning all year round, whether it’s summer or winter. I swear we must get the sunniest days in the whole country!
I turned 19 and went back to Northland to celebrate with the whanau. It just so happened to line up with getting offered the site controller role, so it was a double celebration!
In September, my sister came down to Queenstown for Snow Machine with a mate, last minute I decided to book the week off and join them. The festival was hectic lots of memories were made. It was a wicked week of mates, music and boarding all round.
What were the key things you did in your first role that made AJ Hackett consider you for your new role?
When I first started, I really looked up to my colleagues and saw the Supervisor role as something I wanted to work towards. In 2023, I finally reached that goal, but it wasn’t an easy path. I actually applied for the Supervisor role when I was still just shy of 18 and didn’t get it, which was a bit of a disappointment. But I didn’t let it stop me. I took it on the chin, kept learning from my team, and applied again a few months later—and this time, I got the role.
It was a huge moment for me, and it showed me that persistence pays off! Over time, I became really interested in all the different parts of Bungy —how everything runs, from the logistics to the policies behind managing everything day-to-day. I took every chance I could to pick up new skills and knowledge. And whenever there was an opportunity for further training, I was the first to jump on it. Eventually, a spot for Site Controller opened up, and I felt ready to step up!
I also didn’t shy away from tough situations. AJ Hackett can be unpredictable, and I’ve been in a few high-pressure moments where I had to stay calm and think quickly. I think my ability to remain composed during those times showed I could handle responsibility and perform well when things get tense despite being young!
Overall, I think AJ Hackett saw my potential for the Site Controller role because of my willingness to learn, take on challenges, and stay calm under pressure. I was always proactive about improving my skills, taking on extra responsibilities, and showing I was ready for more. I also made sure to prepare thoroughly for the interview—researching the role, aligning my strengths with the company’s needs, and thinking about how I could contribute moving forward. It was about showing I was ready for the next step, committed to growing with the company, and that my age was an asset, not a barrier.
What are you excited about the most about the new challenge?
What excites me most about this new role is the chance to take on more responsibility and be involved in everything happening across the Nevis site.
I love that every day is different—one day I’m working on compliance or safety, and the next, I might be diving into the financial side or helping out with the team. It’s the kind of role where I’m constantly learning and facing new challenges, and that’s what I enjoy the most. I’m also pumped about the opportunity to grow and grow my skills while contributing to the company’s success. It’s a big step, but I’m ready for it!
What advice do you have for people who have just entered into a new tourism role to help them get opportunities for advancement or promotion?
If you’ve just started in a tourism role, my biggest tip would be to stay curious and always look for ways to learn. Tourism jobs are fast-paced, and there’s so much to pick up, so the more you know about how everything works, the better. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get involved in different areas of the business. If there’s a chance to learn something new or take on a challenge, jump on it!
Also, building relationships is super important. Tourism is all about people, so make an effort to connect with your team, your managers, and customers. Being a good teammate and showing you’re reliable can open up opportunities down the line. And don’t be shy about sharing your goals—if you’re keen to move up or try something new, let your managers know! You never know when an opportunity might pop up.
We know you will continue to do amazing things. Where do you see yourself from here in future?
I’m just getting started! Right now, I’m focused on getting confident in my role, and there’s a lot to learn, so that’ll keep me busy for a while. In the future, I definitely want to keep traveling—both around Aotearoa and overseas. Japan’s high on my list; the country’s beautiful, and powder is amazing. There’s a lot of exciting opportunities ahead!
Excited by the idea of a career like Fleur’s? Enrol with ITC!
Fleur’s journey has been incredibly exciting, and she’s only just got started! We can’t wait to see where she ends up.
If you’d like to see yourself following in her footsteps, just remember that it all started with a qualification from ITC. You can explore our course options and enrol for one of our courses starting in the New Year. Perhaps a year or two from now, we’ll be interviewing you about your amazing journey!
Contact us today to learn more.
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