Meet Rose, the student who found ITC and happiness after years trying other paths!

Posted on 20/05/2026 by Hayley Clark

It’s incredibly tough to know what you want to do with your life at just 18. Once you get a little older, you realise how challenging it is to have to try to pick a career path at that age – and then stick with it forever!

Rose was one of those students. Throughout her 20s, she studied all manner of pathways, and worked in all manner of jobs. But she knew none of it was really for her. That’s when she took interest in travel and tourism, discovered ITC, and made the life-changing decision to enrol.

Rose’s story is a particularly inspiring one, and one that will resonate with anyone who has ever been unsure of which path to take!

Tell us about your study and work history

 I’m 29 years old and originally from Whangārei in the Far North of New Zealand.

My study journey has been quite turbulent over the years, with a lot of time spent balancing both work and study while trying to figure out where I truly fit. I explored several different pathways, including agricultural science, nursing, and sport science. Alongside studying, I also worked in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and social work.

Although each experience taught me something valuable, I always had a feeling those career paths were not the right fit for me long-term, even if I was good at them for a time.

Looking back now, I think a big part of my journey was learning more about myself, what motivates me, and the kind of environment I wanted to build a future in.

How did you end up landing on travel and tourism as a career?

I have always been someone who finds getting lost in a new place exciting and rewarding. I’ve always been naturally curious about different places, cultures, and the way people live and connect with one another around the world.

Growing up, I especially enjoyed subjects such as geography, history, social and cultural studies, and economics, because I liked understanding how places, people, and industries are connected. Over time, I realised that those interests aligned closely with the travel and tourism industry and the kind of work I could see myself enjoying long-term.

What made you decide to explore a change in your study pathway?

At the time I decided to study travel and tourism, I was already working full-time and earning good money. From the outside, my life looked stable, but deep down I knew I wasn’t truly happy or fulfilled in the direction I was heading.

After returning from an overseas trip, I found myself reflecting a lot on my future and what I genuinely wanted out of life and work. That trip gave me the push to really question whether I wanted to continue playing things safe and staying comfortable, or take a risk and pursue something that genuinely interested and challenged me.

In the end, I decided to take the risk and change my study pathway. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I could have made, and I honestly don’t regret a single moment of it.

How did you come across ITC?

I actually found ITC through Google while researching different study options and looking for a pathway that felt like a better fit for me.

What stood out to you about ITC when you were making your decision?

 What stood out to me most about ITC was the focus on internships and helping students gain hands-on industry experience while studying. I liked that the learning felt connected to the real world rather than being purely theory-based.

I was also drawn to the fact that ITC explores multiple areas of the tourism industry instead of focusing on just one pathway. That gave me the opportunity to learn more broadly about the industry and better understand where my own interests and strengths fit within it.

How did the enrollment or transition process feel for you?

The enrollment and transition process was much smoother than I expected it to be. After studying at different institutions over the years, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the level of courtesy and friendliness I experienced during the process.

The transition into studying itself was also a bit of a shock in a positive way, as I quickly realised there was so much more to the industry than I originally thought. I was definitely a little intimidated at first, but as I got to know my classmates and the different tutors, the experience became much more enjoyable and rewarding. It’s honestly been amazing so far.

What has stood out to you most about your learning so far?

What has stood out to me most is how much the course has expanded my understanding of the tourism industry. I originally came in with quite a narrow view of what tourism involved, but I’ve realised there are so many different pathways, opportunities, and skills connected to the industry.

I’ve also really enjoyed learning from tutors with real industry experience and being able to apply what we learn to realistic situations rather than just focusing on theory alone.

How would you describe the support you’ve received from tutors and staff?

Honestly, I can’t even properly explain the amount of support I’ve received from the staff and tutors at ITC. And I’m not just saying that to sound good. It genuinely shocked me.

There was a point where I thought I might not be able to stay enrolled because of my previous study history. Instead of just turning me away, I watched the staff genuinely fight for me to stay and support me through the process. That alone meant more to me than I can really put into words, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful to Vanessa and Michelle for that.

The tutors have also been amazing. You can tell they genuinely care about what they teach and want their students to do well. From my experience, there’s a huge difference between teachers who are there just because it’s their job and teachers who genuinely love the subject and want to see their students succeed. The tutors at ITC definitely feel like the second type.

I could honestly keep going, but you’d probably end up reading this all day.

What would you say to someone who is unsure if they’re in the right course or place?

I would probably tell them that it’s okay to not have everything figured out straight away. I think there’s a lot of pressure to pick one path and immediately know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life, but realistically, a lot of people are still figuring that out as they go. I’m 29 now, and it took me well over ten years of trying different study paths, jobs, and industries to finally feel like I had found something that genuinely fit me. I honestly thought I would be a doctor or something by now, but life doesn’t always work out the way you originally imagined it would.

For a long time, I kept thinking maybe I just needed to “push through” and settle for something safe or familiar, even when I knew deep down it wasn’t right for me. Looking back now, I think the hardest part was giving myself permission to change direction and try something completely different.

Taking that risk was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I think it’s far better to explore something new than stay stuck somewhere you know you’re unhappy.

Where do you see yourself in future? What are your dream career plans?

2026 has been a very life-changing year for me, and studying at ITC has made me realise that tourism is one of those industries that can truly take you all over the world.

Aotearoa will always be home to me. As someone who is Māori, and the first in my family to pursue higher education, I’ve realised that a big part of what I want to do in the future is help share New Zealand with the rest of the world in a more meaningful way. To me, New Zealand is so much more than just “clean green scenery.” It’s culture, people, history, storytelling, connection, and experiences that stay with people long after they leave.

One of the things that really reinforced that for me was seeing my partner experience New Zealand for the first time after travelling here from China. Watching someone discover the country through fresh eyes reminded me how special Aotearoa really is and how powerful tourism can be in connecting people and cultures.

Long-term, I would love a career that allows me to combine travel, culture, and people, while creating experiences that leave a lasting impression on others.

Unsure of your career path? Perhaps ITC could be for you

Like Rose says, studying with ITC doesn’t mean just training for one particular role. Instead, our caring and experienced team will teach you about the huge range of roles available out there – and will set you up with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in just about any of them.

So if you’re not sure you’re on the right career track for you, it’s not too late to be like Rose and make a change.

Contact us here to learn more, or check out our courses here!

Posted in News, Student success, Study inspiration | Tagged Career change, Inspiring stories, Student interview, Study travel and tourism | Leave a reply