Meet Brad: ITC’s newest Botany staff member!

Posted on 19/03/2025 by Hayley Clark

ITC has been fortunate recently to hire Brad Sargent as a Student Services Advisor at the Botany Campus.

Like all of our team, he has plenty of passion for the tourism industry, and great experiences working in it to share with students. And as it turns out, he was basically born to work in tourism, considering his parents met while on a Contiki trip through Europe!

We’re so excited for Brad to be part of the team and see him help guide students on their journeys into the tourism industry. Read on to get to know a little more about Brad and his background!

How did you begin your passion for the tourism industry?

My passion for the tourism industry started at a very young age. I just remember having an interest and curiosity about different countries and their history. Both of my parents went on a Contiki trip through Europe when they were young adults. They met each other on this trip and would tell me many different stories, which naturally sparked an interest in the tourism industry for me. 

When I was growing up, I was lucky to have two great countries to call home: Australia and New Zealand. We were lucky to visit many different spots throughout both countries. Moving around from place to place on a holiday made me realise that this is what I want to do: I want to explore many different cities and countries across the world. 

When I was leaving school after year 13 the decision on what I wanted to do was pretty easy, I wanted to study travel and tourism, so enrolled in both a level 4 and level 5 course at the New Zealand School of Tourism, this course really did open my eyes to the possibilities of travel and tourism throughout the world and created an excitement of what I could do in the industry, then I decided I was going to work full-time. During that time, I wanted to become more knowledgeable about not only tourism, but the hospitality industry too, so I decided to pursue a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management at AUT.

All these experiences that I have had so far in both the hospitality and tourism industries have given me so much excitement for what both these industries are, and have given me a mission to solve new challenges and seize opportunities. 

What does your travel industry history look like?

Back in 2019 when I was still in school, I decided that I wanted to pursue a part-time job and I was able to land the role of Entertainer at Rainbows End, and I stayed in this job for more than 4 years. This was a truly life-changing experience for me, because this job really made me come out of my shell show my personality and become a big extrovert with the guests that we handle every day. This job also gave me an insight into the travel industry and an understanding of domestic tourism, which showed during the COVID-19 times with so many people travelling domestically.

In 2023, I landed a front-of-house role at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Newmarket, this job made me appreciate and learn so much about the hospitality industry with my employment at Archie Brothers. I was also very thankful that I could do my final assessment for my bachelor studying the ins and the outs of not only Archie Brothers but the Tourism and Hospitality Industry, and I am still learning so much about us today with my part-time employment. 

What was your favourite job you’ve done (aside from your new role at ITC!)?

I would say my favourite job has been at Rainbows End, if it wasn’t for Rainbows End, I probably would be in the amazing position that I am now. When I was 17, I joined Rainbows End as an entertainer, and back then I was not the most confident person, but this job made me come out of my shell and be very energetic with all the guests that we handled. The reason that I wanted to work in this industry was actually because of my manager and how she handled guests every day, but also because of her amazing leadership skills which were very inspiring to me, but also the freedom she gave her staff which gave us the ability to be 100% us whenever we are working. 

The reason that working at Rainbows End made me so passionate about the industry, is because we could essentially be kids again. If I wanted to sing and dance I was able to, it was honestly crazy to me that I could be having so much fun and get paid to do it, and throughout my years in school I feared being on stage and acting, and now I’m acting in a costume in front of so many people on the Rainbows End stage, which shows the power of people bringing out your talents which shows how amazing my manager was. 

How will your experience help support students?

I will be able to support our students because I was in their shoes not that long ago, I was on the same path as them and have similar dreams to them. Being a travel and tourism student not that long ago,  I understand the work that needs to be put in to be successful while studying tourism with us, I also have lots of experience both in and out of the industry that I will be able to share with our students which will not only help them with their professional careers but also in their personal lives. 

What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?

I’m excited to get to know the students more and see them grow as a student. Not only that, but by learning from them, I can learn a lot more about the industry, I may be a couple of years removed as a student but always keen to learn more things about the industry. 

What do you think are the most important skills to have in the tourism industry?

Very important skills to have as a tourism student a drive, passion and good communication skills, but also be very professional It is safe to say it, but in the tourism industry, you must act professionally when selling products or experiences. 

What is your best advice for those getting into the industry now?

I like to use the Nike motto for this question which is JUST DO IT! If you are incredibly passionate about tourism and industry and it just lets a fire in you, then just go do it. The tourism industry is the best industry to work in in the world because you can travel and work both at the same time, how good is that? So, get stuck into it! 

Study at the college where the whole team lives and breathes travel

If you’re considering a fantastic career in travel and tourism, enrol at the college where everyone on the team has years of experience working in (and loving) the industry. You’ll learn from people who know exactly what it takes to succeed!

Contact us today to learn more about our industry-recognised courses and where they might take you.

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