Tutor Profile: Tessa Henwood
ITC’s newest tutor Tessa Henwood tells us about how her love of hospitality and tourism has led her to travel all over the world: and how it all started in a Yorkshire pub.
I was born in the UK, and when I left school I started working as a barmaid in pubs. I met so many interesting people and had so much fun; I just knew I had to pursue a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Although I was not very academic I decided to try and gain a qualification, so I enrolled in a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality Management with Tourism. I loved the course; it was so practical and it taught me so many things that I have used in my working career. In the end I stayed on an extra year to complete the Hospitality Business Management Degree. I graduated with a First Class Honours degree, which is one of my proudest achievements.
After university I just wanted to see the world! I worked hard, saved money and went traveling to as many amazing places as I could. Wherever I went, whether it was Cuba or Peru, Europe or Africa, I enjoyed amazing adventures and learned so much about myself.
After landing in New Zealand, I travelled for a year, working my way around the country in different backpacker hostels. I loved working in the tourist industry in New Zealand! The range of adventure attractions, beautiful national parks, and interesting cultures and history make the country unique and different to anywhere else I have ever traveled.
I eventually settled in Auckland working for the YHA as operations manager. Around this time I also started working with ITC, providing work placement opportunities and giving career presentations.
When I first visited the college I felt I had found somewhere that not only shared my passion for the travel and tourism industry, but that was also encouraging people to dream big. I believe that everyone has the potential to do anything, and I feel that by working with ITC and all my colleagues we can help people achieve their dreams.
Posted in News, Staff News | Tagged Aviation Training, Awards, ITC, New Zealand Tourism Training, Passion for travel, Tourism training | Leave a reply