Catching up with Marise Barrett, the first ever Study From Home student to do the Level 5 diploma

Posted on 06/10/2021 by Hayley Clark

Marise Barrett is a well-known name at Study From Home. She has diligently worked her way through levels three and four, and is currently on track to become the first ever student to complete the level five New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel.

We spoke to Marise in 2020, and thought it was high time we caught up to see how she is doing now that she’s almost finished the Diploma. As it turns out, she has been working extremely hard, enjoying a job at NZ travel agency helloworld, and looking forward to finally being able to travel again!

Read on to learn more.

Can you catch us up on the past year?

In July 2020 I signed up to do the Diploma in Travel after speaking with my boss, and asking whether I could do this while I was working when there was not a lot of work on. This was agreed, we were on limited hours so I was completing my diploma at work being able to spend 24 hours while in the office working on it.

In September 2020, the Helloworld CBD store where I was working closed its doors due to Covid. This really took a toll on me and I didn’t actually realise how much. This meant I had to look for a new job, I was out of work for five weeks in total, as I had found a job at a school doing Admin. But this also meant that I wouldn’t be able to do as much work on my diploma during the week. I was a bit worried about this as I was doing the diploma as full-time study.

In May of 2021, I was speaking to Bev at helloworld Strandon about my trip to Raro and she asked whether I wanted to get back into travel. Of course the answer was yes! So we worked something out and I was doing part time hours after I had finished at the school. I have now left the school and I am working on a part-time basis at helloworld, and I couldn’t be happier, this is truly the career I am meant to be doing.

Due to being only part time, I am also doing 10 hours in an admin role to help keep the bank balance happy. This means I do spent most of my nights working on my diploma and is why, even though I have enjoyed doing the diploma, I will be grateful for a break when it’s over.

What would you say is the biggest difference for you between levels 3 and 4, and level 5?

Huge difference between level 3 and 4 and then level 5. Level 5 is a lot more research and not so travel orientated, but management orientated. It is a lot more challenging.

The Study From Home team are happy to hear this feedback from Marise, because this option is to prepare students for the reality of a management role.

What are you most excited for once you finish the diploma?

Being able to read the books I brought a year ago haha. And doing some cross stitch. Since May I have been working two jobs, so it will be nice to give my brain a bit of break from it all. Also looking forward to doing some webinars to help with working at helloworld.

How has the Study From Home team supported you through the diploma?

The Study from home Team have been amazing! The tutors are always available. Cannot fault them and they are always there and have communication lines open. I have had to have an extension and this has been more than accommodating.

 Are you planning to travel once restrictions are lifted? If so, where to?

YES! We have a trip planned to Rarotonga in June 2022 – this has been rebooked from 2020 which we had rebooked for this year. There will be other places on the list but I will just be thankful if we can get to Raro.

Marise has been the first student to work her way through the level 5 diploma with Study From Home, but she certainly won’t be the last. Will you be next? Get in touch with the team to find out more about this incredible diploma you can earn through distance learning.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

Posted in News, Student Success | Tagged Distance Learning, Level 5 diploma, Online study, Student interview, study from home | Leave a reply