ITC celebrates the successes of our inspiring 2023 graduates

We love tourism, and we’re so proud to congratulate our many graduates who have already found amazing roles in the industry this year!

“ITC’s long history of consistently working so collaboratively with the airline, travel and tourism industry in New Zealand has led us to being the first point of contact for businesses looking to recruit the future tourism workforce,” says Ceri Jenkins, Key Stakeholder Manager for ITC.

“The combination of these extensive partnerships, quality of teaching and the dedication and hard work of our Employment Consultants, enables us to provide the best service to our students to truly stand by our promises when we first meet our prospective students whilst they are still in school, or in their initial meeting with our course advisor to see which study option is best for them,” he continued.

All this training and dedication leads us to the end of each year where we look back and celebrate our many inspiring students who have gained incredible roles in the travel and tourism industry all over Aotearoa and beyond.

Job outcomes for ITC graduates in 2023 

These are just a selection of some of the many job outcomes for our students this year:

These roles are as diverse as they are impressive, and represent some of the biggest industry names in travel and tourism in New Zealand.

ITC’s dedicated Employment Consultants

One of the many ways in which ITC stands apart from other education providers and tertiary institutions is our two dedicated Employment Consultants. Sarndra Stephens and Kirsten Leith work tirelessly to connect students and graduates with work opportunities, and to help them navigate the hiring process.

“It is truly amazing the turn around and speed of our graduates securing jobs well and truly before they finish. It shows that the students who have invested in education are sought after by employers in our industry. A lot of these jobs are gained through their work experience,” explained Kirsten.

“What a fabulous year it has been. It has been so exciting working with the students and opening their horizons to all the opportunities out there for them. I think I get as excited as they do when they have been accepted for an industry job and I love seeing the Facebook posts of the students heading to the USA to take up Disneyworld and other internships and see all their amazing photos. Our students are in the skies, at the airport, on land and sea and I am immensely proud of them all,” added Sarndra.

Study From Home

“We provide high value relevant training and if they apply themselves to their studies and work with us through the pathway to employment programme, students will gain employment in our truly amazing industry and go on to forge rewarding and exciting careers,” stated Ceri Jenkins.

With another year successfully behind us, we congratulate our many successful students and graduates on their new roles and adventures. We also look forward to meeting our next intake of students later this month on November 27, and eagerly await to see their journeys in travel and tourism unfold before us.

If you dream of a career in one of the most exciting industries in New Zealand, studying with ITC can be the perfect first step towards your goals. Explore our course options and contact us to learn more about enrolling today.

Meet the graduate who didn’t let a full-time job stop her from earning a valuable qualification

Study From Home graduate Cheytarna worked full-time during her studies, and is now working her dream role in aviation!

One of the best parts of learning with Study From Home is the ability to juggle an education with other major life commitments. Cheytarna Scott, a recent Study From Home graduate, is walking proof of just how much you can accomplish even with a full-time job.

Cheytarna worked full time and supported her grandparents while studying for a level 3 Certificate in Aviation. Today, her hard work has paid off, as she is working her dream job as a Flight Attendant.

We spoke to Cheytarna to learn more about why she signed up, how she found the experience of studying with us, and what she’s up to now.

How did your adventure begin with us at ITC?

I always wanted to study Aviation, Travel & Tourism, but I was not able to study full-time, especially without a full-time employee income. When I found ITC Study From Home I was excited and could not wait to touch base with the team.

After speaking with Richard, I was reassured that I was making the right decision to study with ITC, especially because I could still work full-time and support my grandparents whilst gaining my certificates.

What do you think ITC does different from other education providers?

Having the opportunity to study from home is a stand out for me! I love the fact that the course content is the same as an in-house course, so you know that you are not missing out on any learning opportunities.

I love that we are able to earn an income without sacrificing the need for knowledge, which can be used for career progression. The study-from-home team are supportive & gives you the information you need, just like you would receive studying in class.

What is your fondest memory of your time with Study From Home?

The best part of my journey as a Study-from-home student was the bond I made with all my tutors. They really did make my learning journey seamless & helped me to realise the potential I have. They inspired my love even more for the industry!

My real standout memory was gaining my Certificate in Aviation Level 3 with Distinction & getting Student of the year in 2018! 2018 was a real hard year for me personally and with the support of the tutors I was astounded to be awarded these.

What is your current adventure after ITC?

My current adventure in my career is being a Short Haul Flight Attendant – something that was just a dream over a year ago! My current adventure in my education is to study and complete my Diploma in Travel Level 5 with ITC Study from Home.

What will a typical day look like for you on this adventure?

As a flight attendant, a typical day starts off by heading to the airport. I fly both domestically and internationally, so depending on where I am heading that day, depends on where and how I prepare for my day.

Generally, I will meet up with my crew at the gate, we will have a briefing discussing our flight information and discuss any special requirements needing to be addressed. We will head to the aircraft, do our procedural checks and then welcome passengers.

Depending on the final destination, we will be preparing for a full service (including meals) or a domestic service (drinks and snacks). As a flight attendant, I am there to ensure the safety of the passengers, to make sure they are comfortable throughout the flight and to ensure that we all adhere to the policies and procedures to keep us safe and well.

How did ITC prepare or support you for this?

The units that I studied with ITC gave me an insight into how procedures are done and the importance of particular policies within the industry are upheld. The customer service aspect of the learning gave me insight into how to deal with people, especially difficult passengers.

Learning destination information – like airport and area codes – helped me to identify where I will be travelling to, or even to help customers (& other staff). I was given the skills and knowledge to understand Aviation security and the reason why it is strictly adhered to.

Learning about the different areas in the airport has highlighted the importance of how we must work as a team to make sure that the process is smooth and no mistakes are made.

What are you excited most about your journey from here?

I am excited to continue my studies in the Diploma in Travel Level 5. I am excited to further my education and dive deeper into the industry.

I am hoping to be able to further my skills and knowledge to aid in becoming a trainer/teacher. I would love to share my knowledge and inspire the next generation of students.

What advice do you have for others wanting to study tourism?

Just do it! The tourism, travel and aviation industry is booming (always has been) and it is so diverse, that there is a spot for each and every one of us. Once you have this industry in your blood, it is hard to shake! Be prepared to work hard and reap your rewards!

Study From Home on your own terms like Cheytarna

Cheytarna’s story is a shining example of someone who is passionate and driven. Despite being unable to study at a traditional in-person tertiary qualification, Cheytarna completed her level 3 qualification not just with Distinction, but as the Student of the Year!

If you’re working full time, caring for family, or have other commitments – you can still earn a valuable qualification! And the team at Study From Home would be right here to support you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can study from the comfort of your own home at times that suit your lifestyle.

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

Meet Apii Tavioni: The graduate who landed a great role with Go Holidays

Apii in her role at Helloworld.

Like many of our students, Apii Tavioni first learned about ITC through our high school short courses. That led to an interest in travel and tourism, and now she’s working in an incredible job with Go Holidays!

We recently asked her a few questions about her journey, and Employment Consultant Sarndra Stephens also offered her excitement for Apii. (more…)

From Study From Home to Weta Workshop to AJ Hackett: Meet the graduate making waves!

Annie Shields is a Study From Home graduate working for Weta Workshop and AJ Hackett.

ITC and Study From Home are special education providers for many reasons. One of those reasons is because we care about our students so much that we stay in touch long after they graduate. We love hearing how their careers are going, and we’re always on hand to help them with their job hunts thanks to our Employment Consultants.

Sometimes, we hear from graduates who blow us away with their success. One such graduate is Annie Shields. Annie is working two part-time jobs right now, one for Weta Workshop as a tour guide, and one for AJ Hackett at the Bridge Bungy.

Of course, we had to get in touch and learn more about her amazing journey so far.

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home?

I chose ITC study from home because I was moving from Hamilton to Auckland as well as working part-time so I needed a lot of flexibility at that time. I went to Go With Tourism and learned about the opportunities people got through ITC and decided it was the perfect choice for me.

Where do you currently work and what does your job entail?

I currently work casually at Weta Workshop Unleashed in Auckland as a tour guide and I work part-time at AJ Hackett Bridge Bungy Jump.

What are the highlights about your role?

I love speaking to people from other places and getting to talk about our amazing country and contribute to their trip.

Has any of the study content been valuable in your current role?

Study content I learned at ITC has really helped me, it built my knowledge as well as my confidence. Destination New Zealand and communications was especially helpful.

What does your current study/work routine look like?

I work at AJ Hackett three days a week and two other days at Weta but I would be there every day if I could.

Do you have any words of wisdom for others out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

Study from home is an excellent choice if you need flexibility, I was pleasantly surprised by how much support was offered the whole time.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

I have applied for the Disney internship program so hopefully excited for that. My dream has always been to be a tour guide and I feel very on track for that thanks to ITC Study From Home.

Looking to make waves in travel and tourism like Annie?

Annie is just one great example of a student doing amazing things in the travel and tourism industry – and she’s just getting started.

If you’re interested in earning a valuable qualification in travel and tourism, our ITC courses could be the perfect option. You can study on campus with ITC, or with Study From Home like Annie did.

Contact us today to learn about our courses, and how they can kick start your career! 

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

Meet Melissa Tanthadilok – the SFH graduate whose online studies led her to an incredible dream job!

Melissa chose Study From Home so she could continue to manage her work and family life while earning a qualification.

One of the best parts about earning a qualification with Study From Home is that our online portal makes it all incredibly flexible and convenient.

That’s exactly what drew graduate Melissa Tanthadilok to our courses. And now, she can look back and see exactly how what she learned has set her up for her fantastic position as a FIT Reservation Consultant.

Read on to see our full interview with Melissa and why Study From Home was the perfect choice for her.

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home?

One of the most significant reasons was flexibility, as I can create my schedules in order to balance my study with work, family and my other responsibilities.

Convenience is also an important reason for me. I didn’t have to commute to campus, saving my time and money on transportation. I was able to create my own learning environment.

What does your current study/work routine look like?

For the past 9 months, I have been working as a FIT Reservation Consultant at ATS Pacific NZ, a division of Helloworld Travel Service (NZ) Limited. Please see below the job description as FIT reservations consultant:

• Actioning quotes and bookings
• Performing administrative duties e.g., filing correspondence correctly
• Providing correct information to agents and offering alternative services and suggestions should any component be unavailable
• Accurate communication (written and verbal) with agents and suppliers
• Liaise with other team members and assist with workflows as required

Has any of the study content been valuable in your current role?

Absolutely! Enrolling in a tourism course at ITC really helped me land my job as a FIT Reservations Consultant. I learned all about taking care of customers, how the travel industry works, cool facts about different places, and even how to use specific reservation system like Amadeus. All of these skills and knowledge are perfect for what I am doing now.

ITC also helped me get better at talking to people, handling things when they don’t go as planned, and being a good problem solver – all super important for working with agents, suppliers and customers in order to make their travel plans in NZ smooth.

What are your highlights so far about your role?

I get to be a part of people’s exciting travel plans. Whether it’s a dream vacation or a business trip in New Zealand, I am here to make it happen.

Do you have any words of wisdom for others out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

Well, my favourite quote of all time is “The best way to achieve a goal is to devote 100 percent of your time and energy to it” – Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

With my tourism knowledge, I might consider starting my own travel-related business such as offering personalised travel consulting services.

Flexible and convenient online learning

Study From Home makes earning a valuable qualification incredibly convenient. Our flexibility means that you can fit your studies in around a busy lifestyle, whether that’s a job, childcare, or anything else.

Our focus throughout all our qualifications is to provide real-world knowledge and skills, so you can graduate and quickly find jobs in the travel and tourism industry. Like Melissa, many graduates find that what they learn with us applies directly to their new roles!

And the best part is – you can get started with Study From Home at any time.

Contact us today to learn more about our qualifications, or sign up for a free trial to see what it would be like to study with Study From Home!

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

Meet the graduate who earned her qualification as a full-time mum!

Shereece and her son enjoy a trip to Hawaii in 2019.

Study From Home is one of the most flexible learning options available, which is especially useful for anyone who is busy working full-time jobs, unable to study on campus, or, like Shereece, is a very busy full-time mum.

She managed to find the time to answer a few quick questions from us about her time studying with us!

Why did you choose ITC Study From Home? 

I chose to study with ITC as it was the best choice for me as a full time working mother. And it was convenient for me to be able to do my study whilst working and doing my daily mum duties.

Where do you currently work and what does your job entail? 

I am currently working for the Taranaki Air Ambulance, doing marketing.

Working for the Taranaki Air Ambulance & having a son must be busy, what does your typical routine look like as a busy working/studying mum?

As you can imagine, a working mum’s life is super crazy, so adding studying to the mix for me was beyond what I thought I could do. But thanks to ITC I’ve been able to do it all.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other mums out there wondering if they should Study From Home?

If it’s definitely something you want to do, then you need to do it. As mums our lives are built around our kids, and we use that as an excuse to forget about what we want. But studying from home is perfect for you, I’ve been able to work it around my already hectic life without being up all night having to do it. So all you mums sitting on the fence, now’s the time to do something for you.

What are your career aspirations or what are you excited about using these qualifications for in future?

I’m looking forward to the day I get to make use of my study, and work in the travel industry.

Want to study around your busy lifestyle?

For Shereece, the challenge was to study while being a full-time mum. For others, it might be that you’re caring for other family members, or that you’re committed to a full-time job. Or perhaps you’re simply based outside of a main centre so can’t attend campus.

Whatever the reason, Study From Home makes it possible to earn a valuable qualification in travel and tourism even when you have other commitments. You can study with us full-time or part-time, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home whenever it suits your schedule.

If you’re unsure if this form of study is right for you, you can do a FREE trial to see exactly what it would be like to log on and complete your coursework. And keep in mind, you’ll also be fully supported by our friendly and knowledgeable team of tutors, who will always be around to answer your questions and encourage you on your learning journey.

Plus, our Employment Consultants are also on hand to help you find a job in the industry!

Contact us today to chat about how you can Study From Home.  

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

Meet the Study From Home who got qualified while working full time – and is now in her dream job!

Ruby Roche worked full time and studied at home to earn her qualification.

Study From Home offers students the opportunity to learn in their own time, at their own pace, in their own homes. It’s ideal for anyone who isn’t based near one of our college location, or for anyone who has work or family commitments that mean they can’t study on a ‘normal’ schedule.

For Ruby Roche, that was exactly why Study From Home was the perfect fit. She was able to continue with her full-time job while she earned her qualification with us during evenings and weekends.

Through hard work and dedication, she didn’t just graduate with an industry-recognised qualification, but she also landed her dream job!

Read on to learn more about her inspirational journey.

What were your goals when you first decided to start studying tourism?

My goals were definitely to learn more about travel and tourism as I knew it was always a passion. The big goal was to end up as a flight attendant, in particular for Air New Zealand. I did however not think my first ever job as a flight attendant would be with my dream company all in one. I am very lucky!

Why did you choose to study with ITC Study From Home?

I found Study at Home an extremely flexible choice for myself. At the time I was working full time 5 days a week and definitely didn’t have time to go full time study. So this for me was a great opportunity and option to still keep my normal life but also do something on side. I liked that I could pick and choose my own hours and do bits and pieces when suited me. I would recommend this option for anybody who still wants to work full time. Or even part time.

What do you think ITC does that sets them different from other education providers?

I personally feel that ITC is more inclusive and intimate than universities etc. You have a small selection of tutors who dedicate their time and effort to help you in any which way you need. I found that more beneficial.

Did you enjoy your ITC studies? Do you have a favourite memory?

Words cannot describe how much I loved studying with ITC, most of the time it didn’t even feel like I was studying. I actually looked forward to my assignments and exams. My favourite memory is definitely doing the roleplays. I found those exciting and a fun way to learn.

How did ITC support you as you applied to work at Air NZ?

ITC supported me as I applied to Air New Zealand as they gave me an absolutely glowing reference. They supported my every step in the application process and always kept in touch with me on my progress with my job.

What are you most excited about for your new career?

I’ve been working with Air New Zealand since March and I would say I’m most looking forward to meeting my first celebrity or having a family member on my flight. I am yet to have that and I know the joy when it happens will be brilliant.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to study travel and tourism?

My advice would be to not give up. At times it can be hard and challenging and all you want to do it quit and find something easier but trust me it’s definitely worth it. There’s always a rainbow at the other end. You just need to find it.

Want to study from home?

Study From Home offers the perfect balance between studying in your own time, while still having the full support of a dedicated team of tutors and Employment Consultants.

Like Ruby, anyone can earn a valuable qualification, even if you have family, work or other life commitments. And since our courses are so flexible, you can start studying whenever it suits you – even today!

Contact us to learn more about our online learning options.

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

It’s never too late to get that dream job. We meet Carol who at 64-years-old decided it was time for a career change – and is becoming a flight attendant!

It’s never too late for a career change! Just ask Carol Weaver, who is becoming a flight attendant at 64.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, have been out of the workforce for a while, or are looking to make a career change, it’s never a bad time to study at ITC or with Study From Home.

Just ask Carol Weaver, the 64-year-old who had thought about becoming a flight attendant often throughout her life. She has been working as a science teacher and career advisor for Orewa College, which is how she came into contact with ITC in the first place.

Here’s Carol’s incredible story in her own words.

From teacher to trainee flight attendant

“At the “young” age of 64 I decided to have a complete career change. I have at various stages of my life thought about being a flight attendant, but life and children always seemed to get in the way. I am currently a teacher.

I attended an ITC careers advisors’ update date where Qantas came in and did a presentation on becoming a flight attendant. I almost jokingly put my hand up and asked if there was a height or age limit. With no age barrier I started to think about the positives, something for myself to fulfil a long held dream, a fun lifestyle and complete fresh new career.

I talked to cabin crew that I knew through friends, looked at the websites for Qantas and Air New Zealand and asked a lot of questions. I then began the application process and each stage I got through made me more determined to do this. It was a little scary as I haven’t applied for a job in many years, even the CVs are so different to what I was used to but I just took it in small steps and learnt as I went along.

The end of the journey is near as I have just been taken on as a flight attendant trainee. I will have an intense training to work through but I have “googled” study tips and how to improve your memory so I feel ready to take this on.

You are never too old!”

What is Air New Zealand looking for in its flight attendants?

As the travel industry recovers from the pandemic, Air New Zealand and other airlines around the world have been working hard to employ new staff. We have loved seeing many of our graduates, such as Mar Chit, get jobs in in the aviation industry, and we know many of our current and future students dream of working for airlines as well.

So what are they looking for in their employees?

We know that Air New Zealand is looking for customer-focused representatives who can connect with others easily. They must also be resilient, reliable, passionate, unique, and fun!

The airline is always looking for people who will help them share Aotearoa with the world, who have a can-do attitude, and who will be themselves while upholding Air NZ’s values.

If you’re looking for a career change, ITC and Study From Home can help make it happen. Our qualifications and dedicated Employment Consultant could be just what you need to make a move into your dream career.

Contact us today to learn more about studying with us, no matter where you are in life right now.

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

ITC connecting graduates to the exciting cruise ship industry

ITC students working with the cruise ship industry.

This summer season in New Zealand has been the most exciting for the travel and tourism industry in the country in years. For a group of ITC students and graduates, it has been an extra special time thanks to ITC and the cruise ship industry.

That’s because we recently set up a number of students with a fantastic opportunity to gain work experience in the industry.

Read on to learn more about how it happened (and how you could get valuable work experience when you study with ITC, too).

 How is ITC helping graduates work in the cruise industry?

Our Employment Consultant Sarndra worked with Akorn Destination Management in Australia to offer our fabulous new ITC students an opportunity to be part of their Auckland cruise turnaround team for the 2022 /2023 summer season.

Akorn enjoyed an amazing 2019 /2020 summer season of cruising, and the ITC students and graduates who worked on those turnarounds loved the first-hand industry experiences. Our students and graduates also found it to be a huge bonus to have on their CVs when they finished their studies and started applying for jobs.

As soon as Sarndra heard Akorn was doing another cruise season she was eager to give current ITC students those same opportunities.

What is a cruise ship turnaround?

A cruise ship turnaround is the interval between cruises. The ship docks, all passengers disembark, the ship is readied for the next cruise, new passengers board and the ship sails.

This is what our students got up to:

• Meet and greet passengers in a wide variety of roles.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Process passengers during check in.
• Validate passports and documents.
• Use multi cruise brand check-in systems.
• Support, guide and assist passengers and special needs guests.
• Luggage assistance.
• Ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.
• Adhere to Akorn Staff Policies and procedures.
• Adhere to various Cruise Lines Policy & Procedures.

The cruise ships were the Norwegian Spirit, Seven Seas Explorer, Celebrity Eclipse, and the Oceania Regatta.

How were graduates chosen for the job?

 Akorn was looking for graduates who were motivated, resilient and respectful. They also wanted students to be quite focused on providing great customer service, and have a real ‘can-do’ attitude. Of course, they had to also hold an ITC travel and tourism qualification, and be reliable and on time.

Here are the full criteria for the job.

• Ability to work flexible hours – weekend, public holidays, and on occasion, evenings during the cruise season
• Be a team player
• Have initiative and excellent communication skills
• Be highly customer focused, helpful and with excellent personal manners
• Prior experience in tourism and/or customer service is highly valued
• Good level of English
• Basic computer skills recommended (training on cruise-line systems provided)

We sent them eight outstanding ITC students who took part in this incredible opportunity; Vironique, Ben, Vianca, Eseta, Ghazal, Serafina, Mele, and Tamzin.

We recently reached out to the students to find out about their experience.

What did everyone have to say about the experience?

“Cruise turnarounds are such a fun day! Early starts! We have to be at the wharf for when the ship arrives, which is usually 7am. Disembarkation is usually about 3 hours as guests come off the ship in staggered groups. Because they were usually arriving into NZ they pass through customs, collect their luggage and then go through MAF – just like the airport but on a wharf!! There would be a team of us in the luggage hall helping passengers to locate their luggage. That’s where I started and by my last shift I was managing the hall.”

“Guests then depart the wharf and go in all different directions, which is where we were mostly involved; guiding the passengers on to taxis, coaches to the airport or hotels, or off on tours. There is an incredible amount of organisation that goes on over the period of just one day. Once all the passengers have left the ship, it’s time to ‘turn around’ and check in the passengers who start their cruise journey from Auckland. This is probably the most exciting part of the day because you meet so many lovely people who are so excited about their cruise. I met a mother and daughter who were close to having been on 100 cruises!! They had cruised every continent except Antarctica, which they had booked to be number 100!”

“The coolest thing was if you were checking a passenger in and a little note came up saying ‘see message’ and when you tapped in to that, it said the passenger had been upgraded! Giving that news was like making all their dreams come true!”

“The downside of these great fun days (which go so fast!) is that the ship departs at 6pm, and we aren’t on it. You spend all day wishing you were going with the passengers (I guess that’s the same as working at the airport!) but it was quite sad when the passengers said, ‘see you onboard!’ and instead we were heading home…”

What did Akorn have to say about working with ITC students and graduates?

Head of Cruise for Akorn Australian and NZ, Anthony Brent had this to say about our ITC students:

“The students/staff I must say have been amazing – I have personally received a lot of great comments from our cruise ship staff and head office executives. Once this season is finished I will be heading back over to Auckland and I would love to set up a meeting to discuss next season and to assist in any way with presentations and talks for your students”

This is one of many ways ITC builds industry relationships and student opportunities. ITC students are sought after when our industry is looking to employ more staff. We continue to strive in offering the best experience so our students stand out from the other candidates, which has significantly contributed to the continuous success of our graduates.

If you’re interested in studying with a provider that ensures you get hands-on learning opportunities so that you’re ready to work in the industry, contact us to find out about our industry-recognised qualifications today.

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

ITC and Study From Home graduates getting hired all over Aotearoa

Our graduates are getting hired for amazing travel and tourism positions all over New Zealand.

At ITC and Study from Home, we teach students all about the travel and tourism industry, all with the intent of helping students gain jobs and careers.

But what happens next?

We often interview students for blogs who have been hired in fantastic positions, but that only gives you a look at the occasional graduate. When in fact, many, many, MANY of our graduates are walking out the door at ITC and getting hired practically immediately.

Travel and tourism hiring frenzy

Right now, travel and tourism providers all over New Zealand and the world are pouncing on anyone with qualifications looking for work.

We are constantly hearing from those in the industry about the shortage of workers, and reading about it on the news as well.

In this article about Rachel Rose, HR and recruitment manager for Southern Discoveries, she said: “We’ve been basically recruiting non-stop, constantly, at a steady, steady pace for four months now.”

We’re also hearing from past students about how quickly they are moving up the ranks. One student, Sinead McDonnell, only just finished her ITC Diploma this year. Yet in that time, she gained employment at a Sudima Hotel, was promoted to Food and Beverage supervisor, and has been promoted again to Front Office Duty Manager.

Roles recently filled by ITC and Study From Home students

So many of our students have been getting work recently, that it’s hard to keep up! Here are just some of the amazing roles that our graduates have filled over the past couple of months:

• AJ Hackett bungy crew
• Air New Zealand cabin crew (four students!)
• Qantas/Jet connect cabin crew (two students)
• Disneyworld Florida internship (Four students)
• House of Travel travel consultant
• Flight Centre travel consultant
• The Broadmoor Resort (USA) horse wrangler and guide and reception (2 students)
• Orbit travel groups and events consultant
• Le Meridien Noumea Resort & Spa reservations agent
• Camp America camp counsellor
• Grand Millennium Hotel reservation supervisor
• Haka Tours tour consultant (two students)
• Go Holidays Wholesale Consultant and Cruise Consultant
• First Light Travel – Travel Designers (four students)
• Menzies Aviation – Passenger ambassadors (SIX students)
• Menzies Aviation – Front of house check in agents (four students)
• And many, many more…

We are so proud to see so many of our students gain employment in such amazing travel and tourism businesses all over New Zealand and the world.

Graduate jobs available right now

On top of all the roles our graduates have already filled, we also keep track of some of the best roles available in the industry right now. If you are an ITC or Study From Home graduate (like you could be in 2023!), these are the kinds of positions we’ll be telling you about and helping you to apply for!

• Hobbiton – Movie set tour guide
• Air Chathams – check-in crew
• Air New Zealand – Customer service agent
• Auckland Museum – Front office and guest services
• Rotorua Zipline – Zipline guide
• Punting on Avon – Punter
• Te Papa – Host
• Velocity Valley – Ride operator
• Jucy Rentals – Customer experience consultant
• Sounds Air – Ground crew
• Distinction Hotel – Guest services agent
• Hotel Britomart – Porter/valet
• Menzies Aviation – Airline customer service agent
• Swissport – Airline customer service agent

We are hearing about so many roles that at this point, we are only selecting and sharing the best with our graduates.

If you have ever thought about working in travel and tourism, there has truly never been such a great time to get qualified and enjoy your pick of some fantastic jobs. Explore our available courses here, or get in touch to learn more about how you can enrol and get started on the career of your dreams.

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

Complete Study From Home courses to upskill and progress at work

Hoping to progress at work? Study From Home could help!

ITC and Study From Home are proud to offer great options for young Kiwis looking to study after high school. However, we’re also a fantastic option for any Kiwis looking to upskill and further their careers, even if it’s been a long time since they were at high school.

Since Study From Home offers online learning for anyone in New Zealand, it’s a viable option for those already working in travel and tourism who are looking to take the next step.

Here’s how!

Study From Home to progress at work

Study From Home offers several online learning options, all of which you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

These qualifications span from level 3 to level 5:

• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3
• The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation Level 3
• The New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4
• The New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel Level 5
• The two-year Business in Tourism Diploma

Depending on where you are in your career right now, you could either begin at the earlier levels for foundation courses in travel and tourism, or start on a higher level. Our team would be more than happy to help you determine which course would be best for your current skills, knowledge, and career goals.

As well as being able to study wherever suits you, these courses can also be taken part time. You’ll be able to continue working at your current job, while studying on the side to further your career.

That means you can learn gain new skills, knowledge, and qualifications, all without having to quit your job, go back to school, or commute to a campus.

What you learn with Study From Home could either help you progress into a more senior level at your current job, or move into a better job elsewhere.

Hear from the graduates who have progressed in their careers 

When you complete courses with Study From Home, you’ll do it with the support of your online tutors every step of the way. Even once you graduate, the ITC and Study From Home family will still be there to support you and help you find new jobs when it’s time to make a change.

That’s why we often stay in touch with our graduates and hear about their fantastic successes for years after they finish their courses. We’ve recently been catching up with a couple of graduates who have progressed into leadership roles in their careers.

One student, Olita, hasn’t just moved into a leadership role – she is now in charge of hiring decisions and hired a new Study From Home graduate!

“ITC gave me the skills and knowledge that I needed to pursue my career in the travel industry working for Inbound,” she said.

“I have the lovely Melissa starting with us tomorrow and can’t wait to welcome her into the team. She ticked all the boxes that we require for the role as a FIT reservation consultant, and I am happy to share the knowledge of Inbound with her,” she added.

Another student, Brooke, studied with us eight years ago, and has recently progressed into the Swissport Management Office at the Jetstar Domestic Terminal.

“ITC gave me the best opportunity to be prepared for the travel and tourism industry, without them I would not have landed my dream job or be where I am today. The real life work experience and expectations of what the industry would expect made my transition from study to full time employment so seamless,” she said.

These are just a couple of examples of students who have gone on into top positions in their careers. Could you be the next?

Get in touch with our friendly team at Study From Home to chat about which course would be best for your level and goals, and how you could go about balancing study with your current role. You can enrol and get started at any time, and there’s no time like the present!

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

Air New Zealand snapping up ITC graduates

Ruby Cowie is one of several Study From Home graduates that Air New Zealand has hired recently.

As the New Zealand travel and tourism industry gears up for a very busy summer season ahead, we’re seeing our ITC graduates get snapped up by employers practically as they walk out the door from their graduation ceremony. Many before they graduate.

One of those employers is Air New Zealand, which is quickly hiring and training staff across their operations all over the country. We are fortunate to be recognised as a preferred provider for many airlines and tourism organisations. Our highly skilled graduates are sought after by the industry.

For us, these job offers are hugely exciting, as many of our graduates begin studying with us with the goal of working for this renowned and award-winning airline. To see students land their dream jobs immediately is everything we could hope for as an education provider.

One of these graduates is Ruby Cowie, a Study From Home graduate who has been dreaming of working with Air New Zealand since she was 10 years old. We reached out to Ruby to have a quick chat about the application process and her advice for other students.

How do you feel your qualifications with ITC prepared you for this new role at Air NZ?

I feel that my qualifications with ITC prepared me for my new role with Air NZ by allowing me to have a lot more knowledge of an airport and cabin crew. It helped me feel much more confident when I applied for the role because I had a lot of more information and confidence behind me.

 When you first applied, what did you have to do?

When I first applied for the role I had to send through my CV and a cover letter and answer around 20/30 questions online about myself and about the role. From then I had to wait a few weeks to hear back if I got accepted to the next stage or not.

It must have felt amazing to have that positive reply after your initial application. What was the next step once you applied?

It was an amazing feeling to get told I passed through to the next stage, as it has been my dream career since I was 10 and I didn’t expect to get a job at only 21 years old.

The next steps was: I had to do a digital online interview (due to covid) with a cabin crew/ Air NZ manager. It was about a 30-40 minute interview where I got asked some behavioural and psychological questions, and also some questions about myself and what I want from the job for them to get to know me and how I think.

After my Interview I got told it would take up to 7 days to hear back if I’d been accepted to the next stage, however I was lucky enough I got a call back within 20 mins to say I had been accepted to the next stage. This stage was called the “vetting stage”, which was all the nitty gritty things. Firstly I had to complete an online cognitive and maths test, so basically brain testers and English etc to see how my brain works. From then I did a medical test, a swim test, a hearing and physical, an eye test, a criminal test check, a reference check, and a few other bits and bobs.

From there if you are successful you get offered a job and put into the next available or suitable intake for you. I am starting my job after my wedding in Nov 2022, so around mid-October they will fly me up to Auckland to get a uniform fitting and grooming information. From there you will get a starting date where you will do 4 weeks intensive ground training and then you have final exams.

Once you complete and pass your final exams you will be a qualified Air New Zealand flight attendant. Then you will be ready to fly on the planes!

 Would you have any words of wisdom or tips for others at the application stage?

My tips would be to be yourself, don’t try to be who you think Air NZ wants. Be you.

How did they tell you that you got the job?

I got a phone call and a confirmation email.

 What are you looking forward to the most with your training?

I am most looking forward to meeting lots of new friends and sliding down the emergency slide off the plane.

I certainly couldn’t of done it with the help of ITC. They made me build some extreme confidence and made me feel extremely proud of who I am and what I want to do. I highly recommend ITC, I did Study From Home so it was extremely flexible for me as I worked full time so I could still earn money and study at the same time.

Want to be the next Air New Zealand hire?

ITC and Study From Home are trusted providers for travel and tourism qualifications in New Zealand, which is why many employers love receiving applications from our graduates. If you have a dream to work in the industry, our qualifications can help you take that first important step with a valuable certification.

Don’t hesitate to explore our course options or get in touch to find out more.

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

Congratulations to the first of our Scholarship winners this year!

We’re excited to announce some of our first scholarship winners this year! Pictured here: Students from Kaitaia College with tutor Mel.

In June, we once again opened applications for our fantastic scholarship programme. This programme offers a number of full-time students attending ITC or Study From Home the chance to have up to $5,600 of their course fees completely covered by us.

This is our way of supporting both our hard-working students, and the industry we love that so desperately needs more qualified and passionate staff.

And so far, we’re over the moon to announce we have already awarded SEVEN scholarships to students. We had many excellent applications, but here are a few words from each of our winners so far about why they want to study with us and what their ultimate goals are. (more…)

Catching up with Rhiannon Cribb: From graduation to employment with Air NZ

We catch up with Study From Home graduate Rhiannon Cribb, seen here on holiday at the Santa Monica Pier in the US.

Last year we introduced Rhiannon Cribb, the lovely Study From Home student who completed her qualifications while travelling around New Zealand.

We recently learned Rhiannon had secured a cabin crew role with Air New Zealand, and we couldn’t be more excited for her to land such a perfect job for someone who loves to travel so much.

When we asked how she found the job, she mentioned that while she had checked the ITC Careers page, she was committed to finding a role with Air New Zealand, so refreshed their careers website every night!

This page is a dedicated page just for ITC graduates and current students. It’s their one stop shop to finding a job they want during or after they finish their studies.

Here’s Rhiannon’s story!

Can you tell us the story of how you got the job at Air NZ?

Getting the job at Air New Zealand was tough and nerve wracking! I did my first application, and waited about the month to hear back, and then did two interviews!! The waiting period was the hardest. I spoke a lot about working in a team but being able to think fast and make critical decisions quickly by myself.

ITC takes pride in preparing students for interviews and are always there to support graduates if they need it during application stages.

Which parts of your time at ITC were most helpful in getting the job?

The role plays were perfect for gaining confidence. If you are not confident in what you’re doing, It’ll be hard for you if there is an emergency!!

ITC has an Airport Training Centre so that students do role plays in an Aircraft Cabin or at a Check-In Counter. This makes the experience authentic and prepares them for real life scenarios.

What are you most looking forward to once you get started?

I’m looking forward to seeing places I’ve never seen before and probably wouldn’t think to go!

When students do ITC’s level 4 Certificate, they start to explore destinations around the world an some of the highlights to see as a visitor. This means they can advise customers they speak to appropriately and also look forward to visiting these amazing places as a tourist themselves!

Do you plan to continue your travels whenever you’ve got the time? Where’s on the list?

Yes definitely! My next trip is planned for USA! Then Bali hopefully next year!

Rhiannon is the perfect example of someone who simply loves to travel, and wanted to turn that passion into a career – and now she has! Her Study From Home qualification (that she earned while travelling) helped her to get an amazing position with Air New Zealand.

If you’d like to create a career out of your love for travel, get in touch with us today to find out more about our distance learning qualifications.

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

Catching up with Shania Wheatley: A Covid whirlwind with a happy ending

Graduate Shania has had a whirlwind few years, all with a fantastic happy ending!

ITC graduate Shania Wheatley has had an incredible journey.

We first interviewed her in 2017 when she landed a job on a cruise ship and lined another up to work at Disney. But so much changed just a couple of years later that we interviewed her again, and found her back in NZ working in an isolation facility.

Now in the wake of Covid, Shania has made another big move – and a big lifestyle change! Her journey is truly a whirlwind, but it has a happy ending.

Here it is in her own words.

On her time working at a Covid quarantine hotel

I was so excited about Chateau even though it was a quarantine hotel!! What a memory!

It was rough working there with all the rules then Omicron entering NZ and developing etc. I am yet to get Covid – a forever ending game of tag!

I left Chateau due to the pressure and isolation I felt from being face to face with Covid every day. At the start I felt super safe, but as variants became apparent and rules changed, my family and friends didn’t want to see me due to the risk. So I started to feel that pressure to make sure I didn’t bring it into the community.

On finding a new job

I then saw a travel agency was hiring for a casual call centre contract, booking vaccinations, answering questions for the general public and doing health assessments on those who call with Covid, and putting them through to clinicians for medical advice.

I saw that role advertised on Seek and I wasn’t going to apply, but did screenshot it on my phone so I had a copy of the advert and contact details. A week later the advert had disappeared from Seek but I thought I’d shoot my shot and send an email anyway. I did and I was offered a full-time hours casual contract that basically had no end date due to Covid not having an end date.

At the same time as applying for that role, the same travel agency was also hiring for a Domestic travel consultant – they wanted someone experienced but I applied anyway with no luck (this was in July 2021).

During my time with Healthline/ the Covid vaccination line, I was offered a promotion to supervisor. I made it known that I wanted to impress my managers as they were high up in the travel industry, and sometimes it’s who you know not what you know. So the more connections I was able to build the more chance I had at coming out the other side with a possible agency role.

Anyway, I got a promotion and became a supervisor in-charge of a group of six, where I did quality reviews of their calls, provided training and feedback and also was there to support them with some tricky calls.

On an unexpected surprise

Then out of the blue the travel agency manager – the one who I had emailed in July 2021 for a domestic travel consultant role – offered me an informal interview for potential opportunities she had coming up in the company. She had either remembered my name or seen my work though Healthline as she managed that too.

So I met with her and the direct manager for the groups and events department, as they had a position available for a Groups and Events Consultant. The next day I received an email saying I had got the job!

It was perfect timing as our contract with Healthline and the Ministry of Health was ending April 30^th, and the start date for this new role was May 2nd.

On what she learned from the whole experience

Some things I learned from this experience have been:

1. Of course depends on the situation, but always make it known known if you want to gain the attention of a certain company/person in the industry. You never know what connection your manager, tutors or friends have.
2. It can be who you know, not what you know.
3. Work hard, you never know who’s watching.
4. Everything happens for a reason!!

On finding the silver lining to the Covid cloud

I know Covid has badly effected so many people. However Covid is probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

I was diagnosed with a heart condition I was born with, which had been effecting my everyday life. I was able to have the surgery to fix it without it effecting any work. I moved to Christchurch, lost 50kg, and had the opportunity to rebrand myself – I had connections in Auckland but building those here in the South Island has changed the game to get to where I am now.

For recent tourism graduates – YOUR TIME IS NOW! before Covid, companies wanted people with experience, but now they know that if they are going to get people it’s going to be beginners, and they will train them from the ground up so it’s the most amazing time to be in tourism!

I’ve always said tourism was the first to be effected but will also be the first to recover!

On getting a leg up in tourism with qualifications

As Shania points out, your connections in the travel and tourism industry can make a huge difference to your job prospects!

That’s why ITC takes pride in continuously building and using our industry contacts and partnerships to give an abundance of opportunities to our graduates. It’s hard to beat having industry recognised qualifications that can get you a foot in the door with countless industry employers around New Zealand and the world.

 Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more about our courses and where they can take you.

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

Studying from home while you work: How this former student made it happen!

Susan Afoa is the perfect example of someone who proves it’s possible to study while you’re working.

Last year, we introduced the wonderful Susan Afoa. This hardworking graduate began at ITC many years ago, completing her Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates in Travel and Tourism before going on to find a job in the industry.

We were then delighted to welcome her back to ITC – this time as a tutor!

But never one to rest on her laurels, Susan has now not only completed her Diploma in Business online, but done so while working (and all while being a busy mum!).

Susan is particularly inspiring, and she proves how it’s possible to study from home while working. She has continued to do an incredible job at work as she earned a highly valuable Diploma in Business, and we think she’s the perfect example of how distance learning can fit into the busiest of lifestyles.

We had to chat to Susan about how she juggled it all. Here’s what she had to say. (more…)

Meet Brooke Robinson: The high-flying graduate who recently landed a job with Air New Zealand

Brooke Robinson is a keen traveller and ITC graduate who recently got a job with Air New Zealand.

Brooke Robinson is one of ITC’s lovely Christchurch graduates who graduated in late 2019. She completed both her Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates with ITC and attained Distinction with both.

Not to mention, she was also awarded the academic excellence award and was one of the student representatives for her class during level 4 as well.

Brooke grew up in a travel-loving household with both parents in the industry, and was always interested in following in their footsteps. After graduating ITC, she spent a year working in real estate, but always wanted to get back to tourism, so recently applied for a role with Air New Zealand – and landed it.

So of course, we interviewed Brooke to learn more about her new job.

Congratulations on the job! Was it always a dream to work with an airline?

I had always had a keen interest in working for an airline but I didn’t really know which part of an airline I would most want to work in.

While studying at ITC you learn about a roles throughout the industry you never would have known about. Working ground crew for an airline was definitely something that piqued my interest and I was fortunate enough to complete my 1 week work experience placement during Level 4 with Plane Biz, which is a Christchurch company who has contracts to complete check in, ground operations, loading and more with a lot of major overseas airlines such as Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

It was during this week that it solidified for me that this was in fact the job I see myself doing in the future. Since then I have worked hard to ensure I have the skills and experience to land the role when the opportunity presented itself.

How was ITC (and the lovely Nicky) involved in helping you get the role?

When you finish at ITC, they never forget about you! There is always ongoing support for you from ITC well after you graduate.

Nicky kept me in mind when new jobs were advertised and I was always checking the ITC Jobs Facebook page too. When I saw this role, I emailed Nicky and she helped me look over my CV before I submitted my application. She also sent a letter of recommendation on behalf of ITC to go alongside my application. The ITC workbooks were also a great help for preparing for my interview too so be sure to keep those and review them when you head for an interview yourself!

What will you be doing for Air New Zealand?

My position with Air New Zealand is a Customer Service Agent at Christchurch Airport, which comes with a variety of duties and responsibilities.

What are your ultimate career goals? 

While studying, this is the role I saw myself in in the future and with everything that has happened over the last 2 years, I am very thankful that this has been possible for me.

For now I am very happy to be where I am but perhaps in a few years’ time, if the opportunity came, I would love to continue to grow within Air New Zealand and potentially transfer to other airports around the world to continue to deliver the exceptional Kiwi service while experiencing other cultures and cities at the same time.

Do you have any advice for current and future ITC students?

My advice would be to put yourself out there and enjoy the journey. The time you have with ITC is invaluable and you will learn an incredible amount from the tutors, other students, guest speakers and the course material. Be sure to ask questions, build and maintain positive connections and have fun!

Ready to fly high like Brooke?

Brooke is a fantastic example of what you can do when you have a goal and keep working towards it. The team at ITC is so excited to see her succeed, just as we love supporting any of our graduates into industry roles.

If you’ve got your sights set on the tourism industry, ITC can help you get there. Get in touch to find out more about our courses – or to find out how to enrol!

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

Graduate interview: Meet Jack Persen, who recently landed a role with Air NZ!

Study From Home graduate recently landed a role with Air New Zealand.

Jack Persen earned his qualification with Study From Home, then set out to find a role in the industry – ideally in aviation.

Our team of Employment Consultants worked with Jack and encouraged him to apply for a Customer Service Agent role with Air New Zealand in Hamilton. Jack very nearly got the job but only just missed out, and clearly Air New Zealand were impressed, as they called him back to apply for a different role instead.

That’s why this summer Jack will be working with unaccompanied minors as they travel around New Zealand, a fantastic first role in the industry and one that is sure to quite literally take him places.

We received wonderful news after this amazing opportunity that Jack has been offered a permanent role as a Customer Service Agent with Air New Zealand.  He starts his new role on the 7th February 2022.  We are so pleased he still got tp his dream job.

We had a quick chat with Jack about his time with Study From Home and his unaccompanied minor role.

What was your favourite thing about Studying From Home? 

My favourite thing about studying from home was the flexibility of being still able to work part time and study when I am not working. I did also enjoy having fun and supportive tutors to work with.

How did you find out about the job you’ve applied for?

I found out about the role after they had told me that I wasn’t successful in the previous job I had applied for. Air New Zealand rang me a couple of days later offering me a different position which could lead into the role I had originally applied for.

How have you found the process of application with Air NZ? What has that been?

The process with Air New Zealand has been easy. The process started off with them ringing me to offer me the role. Once I had accepted the job, there were multiple security and health checks that I had to do which were very easy and organised by Air NZ.

How has ITC supported you with the application process?

ITC supported me with helping with my CV and also giving me helpful advice with the process of application and heaps of information about the job itself. It helped give me confidence when going through the interview process.

Do you have any advice to help inspire anyone else deciding to enter into tourism or aviation?

Follow your goals, stick to what you are doing and always put 100% effort into whatever it is. It will pay off in the end.

Working in aviation

Jack won’t be the only one getting a job with Air New Zealand this summer, as the Auckland border comes down and we look ahead to open borders for the whole country, the entire aviation industry is gearing up and hiring huge numbers of skilled staff.

In fact, Emirates recently launched their hunt for more than 3,000 cabin crew and hundreds of support roles – and that’s just one airline!

If you’d like to work in aviation, now is the time to earn a qualification so you’ve got the skills and knowledge to start a job with Air New Zealand like Jack, or any of the countless airlines around the world seeking staff right now.

Take a look at the qualifications you’ll earn with Study From Home, and get in touch with the team to find out more about enrolling!

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

Student interview: Meet Desiree Paul, the student scoring record-high grades while studying from home

Desiree at the airport with her siblings before flying to Australia.

Desiree Paul is a level 5 Study From Home student who completed levels 3 and 4 with another provider, then switched to ITC (and loved it!).

Recently, Desiree completed an assessment as part of the level 5 diploma, and received the highest grade ever given for that assessment. Needless to say, her work ethic and enthusiasm have shone through and greatly impressed her tutors and everyone on the Study From Home team, so we decided to have a quick chat with this star student.

Here’s a quick interview with Desiree about her time with Study From Home, taking on level 5, her career goals, and more.

What made you decide to get your qualifications with Study From Home?

I chose to study from home because I like the idea of being able to study on my own time. I also focus and get work done better when I am in my own space. The other reason I chose to study from home is because it allows me to do house chores when I am having a break.

You’ve already completed levels 3 & 4, so why was level 5 important to you as well?

I have always been really passionate about all aspects tourism, so as soon as I started studying tourism I decided that I would go to the highest level of studying I can. I also would like build my skill set and information.

We heard you recently received the highest grade ever on a certain paper. Was it an area you’re particularly interested in?

Wow, I’m so happy to hear that. Yes, workplace management and human resources has always been an interest of mine. I first found an interest in Human Resources when I took tourism as a class at high school.

How have you found the experience of earning qualifications from home?

I absolutely love it, being able to study in my own space and in my own time is amazing. I also love ITC, the content of the study material is interesting and really informative. I love the activities as well I find them fun but at the same time helpful.

What are your career goals once you graduate?

Once I graduate I would like to go and work on Hamilton Island, either in human resources or as a conference and events manager. I became interested in Hamilton Island when I started level 4.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention or share?

I’d like to thank ITC for this amazing opportunity I have to study with them. I absolutely love studying with ITC.

Desiree shows just how much you can achieve while studying from home. Is that something you’d be interested in? Get in touch with our friendly Study From Home team to find out more about the qualifications you can earn online, and how you can get started as soon as you’re ready!

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

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

Marise will soon be the first Study From Home student to complete the level 5 diploma.

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/

An influx of available roles sees many ITC and SFH students find industry work

An increase in industry demand for qualified workers has seen more ITC and SFH graduates find work.

With hope, excitement, and relentless positivity, we’re looking ahead to a spring and summer that are bustling with tourism as New Zealand opens bubbles with Australia and the Cook Islands.

And it’s not just us preparing for greater numbers of travellers in the months to come.

Countless tourism and hospitality businesses around New Zealand have started hiring new staff to cater to the crowds.

Here’s what we’re seeing in terms of new roles coming available, and what we’re celebrating in terms of ITC and SFH graduates filling so many of them.

Tourism industry roles that have opened up

Ceri Jenkins, ITC Key Stakeholder Manager, highlighted just some of the roles that have come available in the past six weeks.

These include:

Full Time

• Entrada Group – Customer Service Representative
• Wilderness (Smart RV) – Customer service /sales administrator
• Jucy – Customer Experience Consultant
• Cordis – Housekeeping Attendants
• Cordis – Event Sales Executive
• The Loop Duty Free – Retail Sales
• Seassonz – Inbound Tour Operator
• Parkside Hotel and Apartments – Receptionist
• Scenic Hotel Group – Heartland Hotel and Airedale Suites – Room attendants
• Ezi Car Rental – Customer Relations Agent
• ATS Pacific – Wholesale Travel Consultant
• Cordis – Receptionist
• The Loop Duty Free – Sales Advisor
• Jucy – Customer Service

Part Time

• Cordis – Reservations Sales Agent
• Avis/Budget Group – Vehicle Service Agent
• 27 roles at SkyCity hotels
• Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands – Receptionist
• Grand Mercure Auckland – Guest Service Agent
• Heritage Hotel – Reservations Agent
• Scenic Hotel Group – Porter
• Nelson Airport – Customer Services Representative
• All Blacks Experience – Guide and Customer Experience Representative
• Rainbows End – Cleaners, Catering, Ride Attendants and Entertainment staff Adrenalin Forest – Adventure Park Instructor
• Menzies Aviation – Baggage Handlers
• CAA/AVSEC (CHC) – Load Assistants
• Sudima Hotel – Guest service Agents and Food and Beverage attendants
• Avis Budget Group (Chch) – Vehicle Service Agent
• ITC – Course Advisor
• Hertz – Instant Return Representative
• Cordis Hotel – Cody the Mascot/Ambassador

Ceri went on to explain how ITC’s involvement helps give graduates a leg up when searching for industry roles.

“Our students have to be ready for employment, and because of the connection and ongoing communication with students, graduates and employers through ITC’s Employment Consultants, we can provide this support in applying and getting their CV direct to the employer. Our quick turnaround gives our students the best chance at taking any role advertised as some employers’ expectations are to fill these roles within 3 days of advertising!”

ITC and SFH students finding industry work

With so many fantastic roles coming available around New Zealand, and our Employment Consultants Sarndra and Nicky working hard to help connect graduates to those roles, we’re seeing plenty of our students gaining employment.

Here are just a few examples of recent hires:

• Sky City Hotel – Night Porter
• Go rentals – Customer ambassador
• Sky City Casino  – Table Games dealer
• Moa Tours – Internship
• Air NZ Koru Lounge Christchurch – Lounge Assistant
• The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, USA – Pool Server through the IWH (International working Holidays) program
• Air NZ – Casual Customer Service Agent in Whangarei
• Menzies – Baggage handler
• Helloworld – Billing consultant
• Best Western International (Ellerslie) – Housekeeper
• Oronga Bay Holiday Resort – Front Office
• Jucy Snooze – Housekeeper and Front Office
• Go Holidays – Finalisation Consultant
• Sky City Casino – Table Games Dealer
• Skyline Rotorua – Luge Operator

Additionally, there are numerous graduates and students in the process of applying for roles, or who are already in the interview stages, so we only expect the number of hires to increase.

If you’d like to be part of the wave of ITC and Study From Home graduates finding work in this blossoming industry, now’s the time to begin your studies. Get in touch today to find out more about our courses.

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

Meet the graduate who explored New Zealand while earning a valuable travel and tourism qualification

Rhiannon Cribb earned her qualifications in travel – while travelling!

When you earn your travel and tourism qualification with Study From Home, you have a large amount of flexibility.

Some students work part time, some have family at home to look after, and some simply enjoy the freedom of being able to learn while sitting comfortably on the couch in their PJs! And for some, it’s an opportunity not just to learn about travel and tourism, but to experience it at the same time.

That’s what Rhiannon Cribb, a Study From Home level 3 student, did during her studies. Here’s a little more about her experience with us, including studying during a pandemic, her goals for the future, and her great advice for anyone considering the industry for themselves.

Rhiannon’s story

I began studying with ITC at the beginning of 2020, and although 2020 didn’t go how we all wished It went, ITC made studying through a pandemic, easy.

I decided to study travel and tourism when I began intermediate and took my first international flight across the ditch to Australia with my family. Going through the airport and boarding the plane, seeing all the flight attendants dressed and groomed so perfectly made me so excited to study travel and tourism and one day become a flight attendant.

I decided to study online with ITC because I had gained the “travel bug” and wanted to work as much as possible to save my money and take all the holidays I wanted in 2020. Although internationally It didn’t happen, I was able to explore our own country, New Zealand. This was made possible because I was studying online and could get my work done in my own time, while on holiday. Because of ITC’s option to study online, I have been able to visit so many awesome, new places, that I would never have had the time or money to do, If I didn’t decide to study online.

The travel industry has been hugely impacted due to Covid-19 and I’m so thankful that I was given the opportunity to study travel and tourism and gain more knowledge to prefer myself for my future job as a flight attendant as I knew a job as a flight attendant wasn’t possible at the time.

If you are thinking of studying travel and tourism from home but still unsure of it, do It! You will get to spend more time with family and friends (which we all know we didn’t get enough of in 2020!) and more time to do more of what you love, whether that be travel, sport or just having some alone time.

Get in touch with Study From Home, because you can start any time – even right now!

Keen to enjoy the flexibility of distance learning so you can use your spare time to explore like Rhiannon did? Study From Home is accepting enrolments right now, and you can begin your courses whenever it suits you. Get in touch to learn more today.

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

How ITC’s flexibility makes tertiary study possible, no matter what life throws at you

ITC offers flexible study options, so you can earn your qualifications no matter what life throws at you.

Continuing with your studies after high school is a wonderful way to earn an education at a higher level, and to gain knowledge and skills specialised for your future dream career.

Unfortunately, not all universities and colleges make that as straight-forward as it could be. Many demand in-person attendance from Monday to Friday, with few options for flexibility, even if you desperately need it.

ITC understands that for some, tertiary study isn’t as simple as just showing up to class every day. We know that life can throw things at you that make a ‘normal’ study schedule practically impossible, no matter how badly you want to earn your qualifications.

That’s why we’ve made sure our courses are as flexible as possible. That they work with you rather than against you, so you can graduate with a valuable qualification, no matter how many challenges you face along the way.

Part-time or full-time study

If you’re ready to commit to full-time study and earn your qualifications as quickly as possible, you can certainly do so at ITC. This is a great way to throw yourself into tertiary study and work your way through your certifications.

However, if you have other commitments, such as a part-time job or a family to look after, we know that full-time study might be too much to add to your already-full plate. In this case, you can study with ITC part-time, which allows you to earn your qualifications without sacrificing time with your family or your work schedule.

Choose your campus

ITC currently offers three campus locations, so if you wish to study with us, you can pick the one that is best suited to you.

You’ll find us at:

• The Auckland City Campus
• The South Auckland Campus (Botany)
• The Whangarei Campus

Standard colleges and universities often only have one campus, which requires many students to relocate in order to complete their qualifications. With us, you may be able to find one much closer to home.

Campus study and online options

If you don’t live near one of our campuses, or you prefer not to commute at all in order to earn your qualification, you can always opt to study online.

Study From Home is ITC’s online option, which lets you earn the exact same level 3, 4, and 5 qualifications, but all from the comfort of your own home. All you need is your own laptop and a reliable internet connection, and you can sign up.

One of the best parts about studying online is that there are no set term dates. This means you can begin your studies at any point in the year, and even work through them even faster than the usual course if that better suits your schedule. This gives you the ultimate flexibility of being able to learn from home, while still gaining the same great qualifications as in-person students.

In late 2019 and early 2020, one ITC student discovered just how beneficial this online learning option can be. Jessica Collingwood began study with ITC in person, but she soon began having serious health issues, and had to spend large amounts of time in hospital. Not wanting to give up her studies, ITC helped her switched to our online learning portal, so she was able to finish her certificate despite her massive challenges. You can read more about her story here.

Four-day study week

Companies and organisations around the world have started experimenting with four-day work weeks, as more and more people believe that we can be just as productive – but far happier and less stressed – than sticking to the same old five-day work week.

We agree.

In 2021, ITC has moved to a four-day study week, which means that students attend courses from Monday to Thursday, enjoying their Fridays to themselves to relax, spend time with family and friends, study, or even work.

We believe this flexibility gives students much greater control over their own time, and still allows them to graduate with a fantastic qualification at the end of each course.

Here are just some of the ways ITC has made study possible thanks to our flexible options:

• During Alert Level 4, tutors offered to drop off resources to certain students who were unable to collect due to personal circumstances.
• Relocation from one campus to another when a student has moved cities
• A student with a 7 month old baby and couldn’t always be on campus, but is a visual learner and doesn’t want to just study from home. We’ve offered “Blended” learning.  She will be signed up as a campus student, but will be allowed to SFH to get the best of both worlds.
• One student did not have a device during Alert Level 4, and only a small phone to complete an assessment. So we read the questions over the phone and she wrote her answers on paper where she took photos of it all and sent them in for marking.
• ITC Tutors teach using various ways to cater to different students’ needs. For example, by combining visuals (by writing pictures, and using the boards), auditory (letting students read the text), write and read by asking them to write what they have learned for each session, and kinaesthetic (letting them make a plot for the drama and act which is related to the topic).
• A student was working full time during Alert Level 4 and was unable to attend class sessions. So we arranged time with her 1:1 after work around 7pm to update her.
• 1:1 tutorial time with tutors whether that is on campus, online or via phone. Tutors will be there for students if they are not busy taking a class.
• A couple of students began with Study From Home, but found they would prefer to study in person, so switched to on-campus with ITC!
• One student was so keen to start work in the industry that they sped up their studies by studying level 3 in the morning on campus and level 4 in the afternoons at home.
• One student switched from on-campus study to Study From Home in order to care for a sick family member.
• A student was looking to drop out because she’s not computer savvy and was frustrated as she wasn’t keeping up in class. After sitting down and discussing the issue, we agreed to print out her workbooks to better suit her learning style. She has since taken a 180 degree turn in class and is doing very well.

If you’re at all concerned about committing to study this year in case life throws you a curve ball, remember that flexible study options can mean you won’t have to give up your education. Get in touch with us to chat about your options and find out more.

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

Education through hardship: How one student completed her qualifications against the odds

Despite major challenges, graduate Jessica Collingwood completed her qualifications with ITC and Study From Home.

We often catch up with past students and graduates. We love hearing about how they’re going in the industry, and seeing their updates as they move into dream jobs meeting people, travelling, and learning.

But not all stories are about study then work.

Recently, we spoke to recent student Jessica Collingwood, and learned about how our famed flexible learning options weren’t just convenient, but made it possible for Jessica to graduate.

Her story shows how much ITC is here to help. We don’t set restrictions like so many education providers, but rather offer flexible alternatives for study, from our multiple campuses and online learning options, to part-time and full-time courses and four-day study week.

Our students are so much more than just a filled seat in a classroom or another name on an enrolment list, and we care about what happens both during and after the learning takes place.

Jessica Collingwood’s experience with ITC and Study From Home

“I studied at ITC doing the Level 4 Tourism certificate at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.

Unfortunately, as I started at ITC my health turned for the worse, I was so committed to getting my certificate that I pushed myself to go to class even when I was clearly too unwell to be there. It then just got to the point where it was becoming impossible and I started missing so many classes. I was in and out of hospital a lot.

ITC were amazing and very accommodating. They suggested I change to ITC online (Study From Home). This was the best decision for me at the time. I did not want to give up.

I managed to continue studying while being unwell and I managed to finish and get my certificate. Then the pandemic hit and of course I had all those worries about getting my dream job as travel agent.

I decided it was a good time to get myself well again, spend quality time with family and explore our beautiful country.

I am now starting the process of looking for work again but I am focusing on getting some more experience behind me in jobs that will help me in the near future when the tourism industry picks up and travel agency jobs become available.

I will use this time to build on my strengths and learn new things. I know that when Covid sorts itself out and those borders open, the tourism industry will be booming and there will be so many jobs available. Over the last year New Zealand has become more recognised throughout the world during the pandemic and people are so eager to come and see our beautiful country.

If you enjoy tourism and want a career in the industry, then go for it!

To anyone wishing to take the leap into tourism; I would say use this time to study and get experience in jobs that will help you in some way or another for your future career. Let’s be ready for our tourism industry to busier than ever.”

Do you feel like distance learning could be for you? Get in touch with Study From Home to find out more about our flexible learning options and the qualifications you can earn by studying online.

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

Meet graduate Shania Wheatley: Finding success in travel and tourism at every turn

Shania Wheatley is a keen traveller and a successful ITC graduate who is currently studying level 5 through Study From Home.

We were fortunate enough to meet Shania Wheatley when she studied with us at ITC on our City Road campus. She studied with us in 2016, and very quickly landed a sought-after spot in Disney’s Cultural Exchange Program following her qualification.

We even interviewed her about her fantastic success back in 2017!

Now, Shania is back in New Zealand, both studying our level 5 course through the Upskill4FREE initiative with Study From Home and working in the industry. We thought it was the perfect time to catch up again!

What have you been up to since we last spoke? 

I’ve done a lot since we last spoke. I went off and completed a Disney internship working as a slide operator at Disney’s Blizzard Beach, and then transferred to merchandise at the emporium in Magic Kingdom.

Once I returned to New Zealand I started working for Air New Zealand for a while before transitioning into a more admin role with Haka Tours which was a fixed term contract.

How did covid-19 impact your career?

In February of 2020 I had signed a contract and was supposed to start my dream job becoming a travel agent. However at this stage Covid had spread from China and had hit all over Europe, so a week before I was supposed to start I lost the job due to the impact of the spread internationally.

It was a very confusing time as no one in New Zealand really understood the virus and no one realised the impact it would have on our country, let alone the world, as it hadn’t even transitioned onto New Zealand soil yet. So at the very beginning I thought I was quite alone.

ITC was great though, when it happened, and I got the email that I had lost this role I called Sarndra straight away and she had a list of roles available which she talked through with me and was ready to put my name forward for. Little did I know, 1 month later our first case arrived in New Zealand.

What is your current job position and how are you finding it?

I have recently moved to Christchurch and I have gained a guest services role with the Chateau On The Park, a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel which is currently a isolation facility. It sounds daunting, but honestly I feel more safe checking in a guest there than I do walking around in the community due to the health and safety and PPE protection protocols they have in place at the hotel.

How did you hear about the Upskill4FREE program and what made you decide to try it?
I actually reached out to the chief executive of ITC Claire Huxley as she posted on Linkedin how ITC has been impacted by Covid, and I just sent her a private message about the praises I had for both Toni and Sarndra and she mentioned it to me and it just went from there.

What are your ultimate career goals?

To this day I have worked for airlines, cruise-lines, entertainment, and at the moment breaking into hospitality so to answer that now I don’t actually know. The tourism industry has so many areas that you can work in.

You really aren’t limited to a certain sector when in the industry. I would love to go back to being a travel agent as I didn’t really even get to start that but right now opportunities are popping up left right and centre. I’m happy where I am now but in a few years you just never really know what doors can open up as with my current role I could go worldwide.

What do you think is next for New Zealand’s tourism industry?

The tourism industry in my opinion struggled the most, but we are also recovering the strongest. The way tourism companies have established new ways to do things and the new roles that have been created show Covid isn’t going to hold us back. Even with the borders closed there are still so many opportunities being created daily by operators.

If I was a student at the moment worried about the future of tourism I’d just want them to remember that a few years ago we were affected by the swine flu and look how we recovered from that. Tourism may be affected with huge global pandemics like this but you won’t see any other industry bounce back like we do.

Use this opportunity while the borders are closed to network! As soon as the borders open up it’s going to be as busy as ever and they will look for the most qualified, but while it’s calm and borders are closed operators are more than happy to train up from the beginning, so use this time to attend events and network with those in the industry.

Personally while I was at ITC I was attending International Travel Summit conferences with industry leaders from around the world, which have been held in Auckland, and also TIA – Tourism Industry Aotearoa – conferences in Rotorua. These allowed me to network and I actually received business cards from senior leaders from different tourism operators telling me to reach out once I had finished my Disney internship, but I didn’t end up needing them as having Disney on the resume opened a lot of doors for me.

If you’re interested in studying from home while working like Shania, get in touch with the team to see how our courses can work for you.

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

Still deciding where to enrol in 2021? Ask your provider these questions!

Still deciding where to enrol for distance learning in 2021? Here are the top questions to ask providers.

As we begin the new year, there are countless would-be students around the country wondering where they should enroll. Which provider will offer the best education? The best stepping stone into the industry of their dreams?

It can be a challenging decision, and one that only you can make. To help point you in the right direction, we’ve put together our list of the most important questions to ask your potential providers. Their answers should help you to make your decision!

Here are our 9 top questions, and the answers you’ll get from Study From Home!

What relationship does the provider have with their industry?

Study From Home works closely with employers from the airline, aviation, travel and tourism industries. We meet with our Industry Advisory Board 3-4 times a year to ensure our courses are well-aligned with industry requirements.

Our industry connections ensure that our graduates have the most up-to-date range of practical skills, knowledge, and technical abilities needed for their new career.

What happens at the end of your studies?

Towards the end of their studies, our students have access to extensive careers training which will prepare them for interviews and employment. They will have meetings with their online tutors to discuss making those plans a reality.

What job placement opportunities and careers preparation do they offer?

We have two dedicated employment consultants who focus on helping students to find placements in the industry. Both Sarndra and Nicky help Study From Home students and graduates gain employment in the airline, travel and tourism workforce. This is true whether you’ve just graduated, or are looking for a new job years after graduation.

They do this by:

• Assisting with the final check of students’ CVs
• Assisting with interview preparation
• Helping students find part-time employment during study
• Informing students about work experience and volunteer opportunities
• Instilling and inspiring good work ethic values
• Providing support, encouragement, and HR advice

What is the experience or background of the tutors who teach students?

The tutorial team is hand-picked for their extensive travel industry experience within New Zealand and overseas. They offer a real depth of skill and expertise and their strong industry knowledge makes them a valuable resource for students.

In fact, our tutors need to have at least 3 years previous experience in a travel and tourism role prior to being employed. This means you know what we deliver is from our own experience and not just from a text book.

Are the courses recognised overseas and in NZ?

Study From Home is registered and accredited with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as a Category 1 provider, the International Air Transport Association (IATA/UFTAA), Amadeus and Ready To Check In. All our courses are approved for student loans and allowances with the Ministry of Education and recognised and approved for student visas with the New Zealand Immigration Service.

We are also proud to be a selected member of Quality Education (winners of 4 ST Star Awards for ‘School Association’). Based in the UK, Quality Education is a brand that brings together a selection of the very best independent English language schools and colleges from around the world. Quality Education schools/colleges are regularly evaluated and monitored to ensure the highest quality is maintained.

What are some of the success stories of your previous students?

We love to stay in touch with past graduates, and we often hear about some of their success stories.

In fact, we tend to share these stories on our blog, so you can check out what some of our graduates are up to now!

What exposure to the industry does the provider give you during your studies?

Study From Home holds regular Industry Expos and presents videos of our guest speakers from a variety of industry businesses. These employers are invited to speak to the students and give them an insight to possible career paths, and these events are an excellent networking opportunity for our students and often lead to work experience placements.

We have also teamed up with IEP Working Holidays to help facilitate international exchanges for students to gain experience in the hospitality industry. Participants on the Work USA 12 month program will work at The Broadmoor five-star AAA Five-Diamond resort in Colorado Springs.

What makes you different?

When you are a part of the Study From Home family at ITC, you’ll notice something special about us. Here you’ll not only find a comfortable learning environment, but something more. You’ll find a spirit of warmth and friendliness, a positive attitude that is shared by everyone and a sense of achievement and professionalism between staff and students. Even though our students are online, they are able to reach out to our expert tutors for support and assistance whenever needed.

We have tutors from the industry, an outstanding relationship with employers in our industry, and employment consultants that work full-time to assist students with gaining work experience through part-time work whilst studying, and employment once graduated.

Our industry connections ensure that graduates have the most up-to-date range of practical skills, knowledge and technical abilities needed for their new career.

It’s more than a qualification to us. We want our students to reach their career goals and we support that journey from the moment they enquire about our courses. We regularly meet as a team to always strive to ensure we are doing the very best for our students and staff.

Have you achieved recognition or awards?

As multiple winners of the New Zealand Tourism Award, including the prestigious Distinction Award, ITC truly is a leader in its field. The college is consistently recognised for excellence in its field through awards, a true testament to the quality of the courses and the skill of the tutors.

“We enter awards to demonstrate to our students and industry partners that we are confident in our ability to achieve excellence and that we are prepared to be judged,” says Chief Executive, Claire Huxley.

“Going through the awards entry process is incredibly valuable. We put our business under the microscope and identify where we are excelling and where we can make improvements. And most importantly, entering awards allows us to prove that we are the best at what we do.”

If you have any further questions of your own, don’t hesitate to reach out today!

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

Meet graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan: A sparkling career in travel and tourism

Graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan is enjoying an exciting career in travel and tourism.

We’re welcoming in a bright new year at Study From Home, and what better way to do that than with an interview with a past graduate?

Aishwarya Rangarajan graduated with ITC back in 2008, and has since found a sparkling career in travel and tourism. We love hearing about our incredible graduates and keeping in touch as they make waves in the industry in in New Zealand and around the world.

Here’s a little more about Aish’s time studying travel and tourism, what she’s doing now, and her advice for current students.

What is your current role and how is it going?

I am currently working as a New Zealand Sales Executive for Qatar Airways. In a nutshell, it’s an account manager role which is extremely exciting as I deal with New Zealand travel agents from all brands and all walks of life, helping them promote and sell Qatar Airways as a number one choice of airline for all customers travelling to predominantly Europe and Africa. It’s a very rewarding role and I love it. Through work, I have travelled to many exciting destinations which I probably wouldn’t have otherwise such as Qatar, Hungary, Austria, Melbourne, Germany, Netherlands, Wales, Ireland just to name a few.. and in Business Class!

What made you decide to study travel and tourism?

I was always very interested in Tourism since high school and was openly looking for options where I can further that interest but didn’t want to get stuck being amongst 300 students. I came across ITC, thoroughly researched everything they offered and felt they stood out from the rest, so I decided to give it a go and attend. ITC provided the support the students needed to excel and I really feel they genuinely care.

How did our courses prepare you for your career?

ITC was a great stepping stone into Travel and Tourism that gave an outlook on what to expect in many aspects of the tourism industry in New Zealand and abroad. It provided me with basic skills which high school didn’t teach at the time which was customer service, team work, presentation skills and boosts confidence level as you learn to work with people from all cultures.

Graduate Aishwarya Rangarajan is enjoying a fantastic career in travel and tourism.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Find a job as soon as possible (within the industry if you can) while you study – even if it is temporary, voluntary or an internship!!! I cannot emphasise on this enough. No job is big or small as all of them with entail some skills you will use once you graduate and will stand you out from the rest when employers begin to look for ideal candidates to join them. Often students will expect to come out of a college or a university and wonder why it’s taking them so long to find a job in the industry.

When I started studying, I found a job as a customer service agent for InterCity Coachlines (now called the Entrada Group) selling domestic tours, and transfer tickets. The employer explained to me that she hired me because not only was I studying but I was already working at Hells Pizza and McDonalds prior to that which showed that I had transferrable skills such as Customer Service, Multi-tasking ability, Cash Handling and will soon have the tourism knowledge through the course I was studying. It stood me out from someone who was applying with no work experience at all. So please, find a job (trust me on this).

How do you think the industry will recover in the coming months/years?

NZ is working on some travel bubbles in the next couple of months. Everyone is making an effort to make the travel bubble open soon as possible. Airlines have started flying back to New Zealand and domestic tourism is now stronger than it’s ever been with more Kiwis exploring their own backyards than ever before. Although a long recovery journey – there is definitely a glimmer of hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

What are your future career plans/goals?

My career plan is to continue working and growing in this industry – and when opportunity arises, I would like to eventually become a mentor / tutor at a travel college so I can share my experience, knowledge in order to help more students prepare, grow and have an exciting career as I have in the travel industry.

If you can see yourself following in Aishwarya’s footsteps and entering the world of travel and tourism, consider enrolling with SFH. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

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

Study From Home success: We speak to one of the first students completing the level 5 Diploma in Tourism & Travel online

Marise Barrett is one of the first students to complete the level 5 Diploma in Tourism & Travel online.

Study From Home recently started offering the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel at level 5 on our popular Study From Home platform. It is an intensive one-year diploma that offers students the skills and knowledge they need for a general management career in the industry.

While students of ITC have been able to study this diploma for more than 15 years, it is new to Study From Home, and we have been keeping a close eye on the first group of students to work their way through this fast-paced and challenging course.

One of those students is Marise Barrett, who is currently working her way through the diploma. She has already completed the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4), and already has experience working in the industry.

We recently spoke to her to see how she was finding the diploma and the experience of studying from home. (more…)

Introducing our new and improved Virtual Orientation program

Our new Orientation Program is now completely online. It’s designed to be completed over two days, and includes a ‘Virtual Meet’ with your tutor(s) and classmates.

We’re excited to unveil our new and improved Virtual Orientation program. 

Since you can now join Study From Home at any time, we have revamped our Virtual Orientation program to ensure you can get settled in quickly.

What’s changed

Before COVID-19, we hosted in-person Orientation Days in Auckland at the beginning of each new qualification. 

Our new Orientation Program is now completely online. It’s designed to be completed over two days, and includes a ‘Virtual Meet’ with your tutor(s) and classmates. 

Study From Home tutor Ali Sykes says the new virtual program is working really well so far.

“We’ve essentially created an online virtual classroom, giving students the opportunity to meet their tutor and build rapport with them, as well as meet other students starting at the same time,” Ali explains.

She adds that the new Virtual Program is far more time and cost efficient for students than the in-person Orientation Day. 

“Although our in-person Orientation Days were a lot of fun, they did often require students to travel to Auckland, which cost time and money. Now, they can meet everyone from the comfort of their own home, which is exactly what the flexibility of Study From Home is all about.” 

Ongoing community and connection

Another great thing about the new virtual Orientation Program is that once students have completed it, they are set-up to communicate with their tutors and classmates online for the duration of their course.

“The first Virtual Meet isn’t the last – once students are familiar with our online system and how it works, they can use it to connect with each other and their tutors,” says Ali.

It also means everyone is in the exact same boat. 

“With in-person Orientation, there were always a few students who couldn’t travel to Auckland, and they may have felt excluded. Our new virtual program means everyone gets off to the exact same start,” adds Ali.

Study From Home: The flexible option 

These changes to our Orientation Program have cemented Study From Home as a truly flexible study option for students all around New Zealand.

Whether you’re juggling study with work, family commitments, or live far away from campus, Study From Home offers you the flexibility to study at your own pace, from your own place.

Get in touch today to start at a time that suits you. We look forward to welcoming you in our Virtual Classroom soon!

Stuck in a study slump? 5 tips to get back on track

Feeling a bit off? Here are some tips to help you get back on track.

Study slumps – they happen to the best of us.

A study slump is when you may be struggling with low motivation, or finding a particular subject matter really difficult.

These slumps happen from time to time and are perfectly normal. The trick is knowing how to get out of them as quickly as possible, so you don’t fall behind.

Here are some tips for getting back on track.

1. Take a short break

Sometimes, a study slump suggests you might need to give your brain a short rest.

If you can, take a break. Step away from your study for a few hours and do something you love.

You might find a short break was all you needed to snap out of your slump and come back feeling refreshed.

2. Change your scenery

Studying from home can feel a little repetitive sometimes. Try studying from a cafe or library instead and see if that helps you feel more energised.

Even moving to a different room in your house might be enough. Could you set yourself up at the dining room table for a change? 

Experiment with different study locations and see if that helps.

3. Reach out to classmates

Send a message to some of your classmates and ask for advice. Ask if they have any great tips for staying motivated when they are struggling. 

Even though you’re studying from home, you’re not alone. Chances are, your classmates are feeling the same way as you. You can help to motivate each other.

4. Talk to your tutors

If you’ve tried a few of the above strategies and you’re still feeling stuck, be sure to talk to your tutors. 

They are here to help you succeed and will be able to provide plenty of study tips and tricks you might not have considered.

5. Remember your end goal

Finally, go back to your ‘why’. Why are you studying from home? What is your end goal or your big dream?

Write your goal somewhere you can see it every day, so it motivates you to keep going.

Every assignment you complete brings you one step closer to your dream of graduating and working in the tourism industry.

You can do this!

Now is the perfect time to Study From Home [+ video]

ITC Study From Home is open and welcoming enrolments.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and many workplaces and education providers are closed, as we collectively try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But, there are still opportunities available. And, in times of uncertainty, it can help to focus on all the things that you CAN do, rather than all of the things that you can’t.

While you can’t go into a classroom or college campus to gain a qualification, you can Study From Home.

It’s business as usual for Study From Home – we’ve been delivering online courses for over fifteen years, and we’ve helped thousands of students gain airline, travel, and tourism qualifications from their own home.

We’ve very much open for business and welcoming applications from people who would love to study airline, travel or tourism.

Video: Gain award-winning qualifications from home

Watch this short and sweet video to get a great overview of studying from home, and how doing this can add meaning to your life during an uncertain time.

Upcoming courses

We’re currently enrolling for:

• New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3
• New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation Level 3
• New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4

 
All of these courses officially kicked off on March 30, but for the first time, we’re accepting late enrolments. If you’re itching to get started, we can get you up and running quickly and catching up on these courses.

We will also be offering these courses again on the 20th of April.

Get in touch today to learn more about Studying From Home with ITC.

Discover if tourism is for you at an Open Day or Info Session

Study From Home is enrolling now for 2020. Attend an Open Day, book an Info Session, or call us anytime to find out more.

If you’re on the fence about whether to study tourism in 2020, the best way to learn more is by attending an Open Day or Information Session.

At Study From Home, “every day is an open day” – you’re welcome to call us at any time on 0800 868 747 to explore your options.

However, if you’re based in Auckland, you’re also welcome to visit one of our Auckland Campus Open Days to meet with staff and discover more about our teaching philosophy.

Auckland Campus Open Days

Our open days run from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 1 pm on weekends on the following dates:

• Thursday 23rd January
• Thursday 13th February
• Thursday 20th February
• Thursday 5th March
• Thursday 12th March
• Thursday 19th March
• Thursday 9th July
• Thursday 16th July
• Saturday 3rd October
• Thursday 8th October
• Thursday 22nd October
• Thursday 19th November
• Saturday 28th November
• Thursday 10th  December

Our Auckland locations are below:

South Auckland Campus

Level 1, The Fashion Pavilions,
Fountain Lane, Botany Town Centre, Chapel Road,
South Auckland

Auckland City Campus

Level 4, ITC House,
9 City Road, Auckland
(just behind The Cordis Hotel)

Can’t make an Open Day?

No worries! You can also book an Information Session online for a time that suits you.

The info session is an opportunity to discuss our course options and speak with a friendly course adviser. It’s a great place to start if you want to learn more about the industry, and it’s completely free and no obligation.

Eager to learn more?

Booked an info session or Open Day but can’t wait to learn more? Take a look at our blog and our student success stories for a glimpse into life with ITC Study From Home.

We look forward to meeting you or hearing from you soon!

The year in review: 2019 highlights from Study From Home

In this blog post, we reflect on our top stories from 2019.

With Christmas and the new year fast approaching, it’s time for our inaugural highlights blog.

This is when we reflect on the past 12 months and share some of our top stories from the year.

Here’s our favourite blogs from 2019.

Study From Home graduate wins prestigious cruise industry award

Shelley Williams – a Study From Home graduate and the director of Clevedon Travel – won a prestigious award at the CLIAS.

ITC student shares her best tips for combining work and study

One great perk about studying from home is the flexibility to work while you study.

Student interview: Marise Barrett

We spoke to graduate Marise Barrett who is now working at Helloworld in New Plymouth.

Backyard tourism gets a big tick from SFH student

Jacqueline Buksh embarked on a road trip with her family from her hometown of Christchurch. She says the road trip was all the more incredible thanks to her studies.

‘Challenge yourself and you will be rewarded’ says graduate

“The tourism industry is booming and making the decision to study with ITC gives you the relevant tools, experience, endless support, and foot in the door to making your dreams come true,” says Cheytarna Scott.

Are you inspired by 2019’s highlight reel? Book an information session today to become part of the ITC family in 2020.

‘Challenge yourself and you will be rewarded,’ says graduate

Cheytarna and her partner on a recent holiday in Vanuatu.

Making the decision to study can be daunting.

It’s a big commitment and can involve a steep learning curve. 

But, it could also change the entire course of your life – for the better. 

A few years ago, Cheytarna Scott was procrastinating her dream of studying towards a tourism qualification.

She knew she wanted to work in the travel and tourism industry, but she wasn’t sure how to start. And, every time she went to begin, she got cold feet.

Until, finally, she took the jump – now, she wishes she started sooner.

“Don’t be scared, don’t hold back!” Cheytarna says to future students.

“Challenge yourself and you will be rewarded. The tourism industry is booming and making the decision to study with ITC gives you the relevant tools, experience, endless support, and foot in the door to making your dreams come true.”

Cheytarna now works as a travel consultant for Flight Centre and has completed both her Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications.

She was also awarded Study From Home ‘Student of the Year’ at her graduation ceremony.

If she could go back to speak to her past self, she’d have some clear advice.

“I would say, ‘you are making the right decision. Stop procrastinating’. I should have done it earlier. There is no better time than now.”

Cheytarna adds: “To be very honest, studying at ITC is one of the best decisions I’ve made and I am very proud that I did.”

Are you inspired by Cheytarna’s story? Get in touch today to learn how ITC Study From Home can help get your travel and tourism career off to a flying start. 

Slow study week? Here’s how to bounce back

Tips for staying on top of your studies even when life gets busy.

Like any study path, studying from home has its ups and downs. Sometimes, you feel on top of your workload, and other times you’re pulling all nighters and early mornings to finish assignments. 

The question is, how do you bounce back after a challenging week – without falling further behind?

Here’s how to get back on top of your studies after a busy time. 

Add extra hours to your study schedule for a month

Whether you stopped studying due to family commitments, illness, or work, you have to make up those hours at some point. Add a few extra hours to your study schedule for a month to get ahead. It might make for a busier month than usual, but remember – it’s just one month.

Talk to your tutors

Be honest with your tutors if you start falling behind or feeling stressed. All of our tutors have years of experience – they’ve seen it all! They will be able to give you plenty of tips for succeeding at your studies. 

Talk to your friends and family

If you’ve fallen behind, you might not have as much time for friends and family until you catch up. Give them a heads up that if you’re slow to respond to text messages or can’t make a few social events, it’s because you’re concentrating on your studies. If you’re juggling studying with raising kids, you might also want to ask if your family can provide any extra support (you’ll never know unless you ask).

Avoid the multitasking trap

When you have more to do, it can be tempting to try to do everything at once – but this will only slow you down. Avoid multitasking and concentrate on ticking off one task at a time. (Remember, checking social media or emails while studying counts as multitasking). Try to chunk your time into bursts of focus (e.g. 45 minutes) and save social media and other distractions for your breaks.

Be gentle on yourself

Everyone has tough weeks every now and then, and sometimes life doesn’t go to plan. If you’re open and honest about your challenges and you take steps to get back on top of your studies, then you should be fine – even with a few setbacks along the way. Remember to talk to your tutors and, when you do sit down to study, stay focused. You’ve got this! 

Want more study tips and tricks? Follow us on Facebook for our latest blog posts or check back here every Wednesday.

Student interview: Marise Barrett

Meet Marise Barrett, a recent SFH graduate who now works as a travel agent for Helloworld.

Every month, we interview a Study From Home student (past or present) to provide insight on what it’s like to study travel and tourism from home with ITC.

This month, we spoke to recent graduate Marise Barrett who is now working at Helloworld in New Plymouth.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born and bred in Taranaki and grew up in the big smoke of Hawera. I’m now living and working in New Plymouth at Helloworld. I LOVE MY JOB. Moving to the travel industry was the best thing I’ve done. Previous to working at Helloworld, I was working in the building industry for 12 years. It’s safe to say changing careers has been a HUGE but rewarding change.

I’ve been married to my husband Daniel for four years and I couldn’t have studied from home without his support. There were a few weekends where I was stuck in my assignment or coursework. Needless to say, when I told him I got the job he was just as excited as I was! It look about six days from when I applied until I got the phone call offering me the job.

We have a few nephews and nieces who keep us on our toes. I love getting out and about in the weekends, whether it be in New Plymouth along the walkways, hanging out with friends or getting away in our little campervan. We are always on the go.

What inspired you to study from home with ITC?

I have wanted to work in the travel and tourism industry for quite some time. About six years ago I did a Diploma in Business Administration because I could not find a course that was done via correspondence for Travel. I saw an ad pop up on my Facebook page for ITC. I looked into it a bit more, contemplated doing it and not doing it. I sat on the fence for a long time because I wasn’t sure about going back to study again. But it was the best decision I ever made.

What qualification(s) did you complete?

The New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Level 3) with a Strand in Tourism and Travel and the New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4).

What did you enjoy most about studying at ITC?

Meeting the other people on my course, the course work, and all the support from the ITC tutors. There was no such thing as a stupid question!

What travel destinations are on your wishlist?

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Rarotonga, Europe (London – to see Big Ben and the Shakespeare House, Paris – to see the Eiffel Tower), Scotland, New York, the Greek Islands, the Maldives, Tahiti. Possibly the whole world! But these are my top destinations.

Do you have any tips for people thinking about studying at ITC?

If you’re passionate about travel, then just do it! Take the plunge. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. Now I’m in a job where I can see I LOVE my work.

Any final tips or words of wisdom for future students?

Never be afraid to ask what you think is a silly question, the tutors are always there to help you. Never be afraid to move ahead with your assignments. Don’t wait for your assignment to be marked before starting the next course, as you never know what might come up in life where you don’t want to worry about your assignments. If you get ahead, then you won’t need to worry so much about falling behind.

Are you inspired by Marise’s story? ITC Study From Home is enrolling now. Get in touch today to learn more about our airline, travel and tourism courses.

ITC student shares her best tips for combining work and study

Working in a customer service job while you study is a great way to set yourself up for success when you graduate.

One great perk about studying from home is the flexibility to work while you study.

However, combining study and work can be a challenge – after all, there are only so many hours in the day!

According to ITC student Casey Stare, the challenge is worth it. Casey works part-time at a hotel and studies at ITC’s Christchurch campus.

Although Casey studies in the classroom (not via distance learning), she has some excellent time management tips for on-campus and Study From Home students alike.

Below she shares her best tips for combining work and study.

Adopt an ‘attitude of gratitude’

“I will admit, it is exhausting and can be frustrating if I have homework or I just want to sleep, but it’s worth it. Ruby (my tutor) reminds me that I’m so lucky to already be working in the tourism industry and she’s correct.”

Become a time management whizz

“It is all about time management. I never used to be good at this, but now I plan almost everything. My notes on my phone are filled with things that need to be organised and once they are done, I will tick them off. If I have homework, this is my main priority.”

Write lists

“Having a list of things that need to be done really helps me because then I can physically see it. I even write down things like: friends I haven’t caught up with for awhile or cleaning my car or tidying my room. Since I work and study, I feel like I never have time for these things so I try to tick them off one-by-one.”

Be organised

“Being organised before work or class is a huge help. If I know I’m working, I’ll make sure my uniform is clean and that I have everything I need, so when I leave course there can be a smooth transition to work, and vice versa. If I finish work late and start studying early the next morning, I prepare my morning tea, bag, and what I’m going to wear the next day before work so there’s no stress.”

Aim to be early

“I never used to be this type of person! I was never organised! But most of the time now I’m 10 minutes early to class and 10 minutes early to work because I have taught myself about time management and the importance of being prepared.”

Keep your eyes on your end goal

“You really need to be determined and keep your eyes on the end goal. I think it’s very important to work while you study, the money is a big plus but working in the travel industry is all about customer service experience. I know after finishing this course I will be able to apply for tourism jobs and go straight into the industry because I have the customer service experience behind me.”

Are you inspired by Casey’s story? Get in touch to see how we can help you get your airline, travel and tourism career off to a flying start.

Student interview: Kylie Harris from Wairarapa

Meet Kylie Harris, a Study From Home graduate from Carterton.

Every month, we interview a Study From Home student (past or present) to provide insight on what it’s like to study travel and tourism from home with ITC.

This month, we spoke to Kylie Harris who recently completed the Certificate in Travel and Tourism with a strand in Aviation (Level 3).

Kylie has an illness that prevented her from attending in-person classes, which made ITC Study From Home the perfect fit.

Thanks to distance learning, she was able to complete her qualification from the comfort of her home in Carterton, Wairarapa.

Below, she gives us an insight into her journey so far, as well as shares some tips for students considering studying from home with ITC.

What inspired you to study travel and tourism?

I really enjoyed studying tourism in school and liked the thought of being a flight attendant.

What did you enjoy most about studying from home?

The ability to control your schedule. Being sick meant I had certain times of my day that I could study, and those times were ever-changing. It was great to know I wouldn’t fall behind and I could catch up in my own time.

Did you find anything challenging about studying from home?

The hardest part was probably self-motivation, but that’s easy to get past once you get into the groove of studying.

Do you have any tips for students who are thinking about studying from home?

• Make sure to take breaks.
• Set yourself a really good timetable.
• Have time away from the computer.

 
ITC Study From Home is enrolling now. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you get your airline, travel and tourism career off to a flying start.

Study From Home graduate wins prestigious cruise industry award

Shelley Williams was named Rising Star NZ by the Cruise Line International Association at a glitzy awards evening in Sydney.

A few weeks ago, we revealed that Shelley Williams – a Study From Home graduate and the director of Clevedon Travel – was up for a prestigious award at the CLIAs. We can now share the fantastic news that Shelley won the Rising Star NZ Award at a glitzy awards ceremony in Sydney in late February. Below, Shelley gives a personal account of the awards night, including how she felt the moment she realised she won. 

The awards night was very glam and red carpet-like. The before-dinner drinks were sponsored by Ponant and served by women in burlesque outfits in counter-type outfits that they wore like dresses and would pick up and move around. There were 500 guests from CLIA, cruise lines and travel agencies from around Australia and New Zealand.

There were table plans up by the doors and I could see I was at table 12 – in the second row of tables. I think there were 52 tables! The Star venue in Pyrmont was super glamorous and set up very beautifully. There were booklets made up for the event listing all the nominees and congratulatory messages from sponsors, as well as the order of events. At my place setting was a finalist certificate for me. The sales managers for Carnival & Princess/P & O/Cunard for New Zealand were at my table (I was invited as a guest by their company), so it was great chatting to them (and getting to see a few advance photos of upcoming ship features).

The MC for the evening was Tim Campbell (he was on Home & Away & Dancing with the Stars). He started the night with a fantastic rendition of ‘Let Me Entertain You’ which was the theme of the night. We had our entrée served at the table & a few awards before Rising Star was announced.

I had no idea in advance I was going to win so it was a surprise when they said my name. It was up on the big screen and everything! I made my way to the stage quickly and accepted my award from the sponsor, Tony Smith of Francis Travel Marketing. Thankfully there were no speeches necessary, just a photo on stage. Then they whisked me away for photos and a little later came back to grab me to record a podcast for CLIA.

After dinner, we had The Boys in the Band play and I swear most of the 500 guests were up dancing – they were so good even I got up and danced (and I didn’t even dance at my own wedding). Then we had the ‘main’ awards for cruise consultant & agencies before a dessert buffet and another band that went until 1am – way past my bedtime.

Since the awards night, I’ve been contacted by quite a few cruise companies offering congratulations and help with marketing which is amazing and much appreciated.

I’d like to aim for a cruise consultant or cruise champion trophy next year, but they are super tough categories so I’ll just have to try my hardest and hope for the best!

Are you inspired by Shelley’s success? ITC Study From Home is enrolling now with courses starting in April. Get in touch today to find out how we can get your airline, travel and tourism career off to a flying start.

SFH graduate could be the next ‘CLIA Rising Star’

Shelley Williams onboard the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas last week.

Study From Home graduate Shelley Williams has been nominated for an exciting international award.

Shelley is a finalist for the CLIA Rising Star Award for New Zealand.

CLIA stands for Cruise Lines International Association and is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association.

Shelley joined CLIA in May 2018 to further her cruise industry knowledge, which in turn helps her to confidently sell cruises to her clients. Shelley runs a boutique travel agency called Clevedon Travel (you can read all about her journey from SFH student to business owner here).

According to CLIA, the Rising Star award “recognises consultants who have worked in the industry for less than two years and who have shown tremendous achievements over this period, including a dedicated investment in CLIA training and engagement.”

Shelley definitely fits the bill, having taken every module available through CLIA’s Learning Academy since she joined. She’s even launched a new brand of her business called Love to Cruise NZ. Shelley has big plans to grow this part of the business, which is already performing exceptionally well and attracting many cruise customers.

Richard Euston, Shelley’s SFH tutor, says she was an exceptional student and that the entire SFH team is very proud of her success to-date.

“We at Study From Home and ITC are extremely proud of Shelley’s achievement. In her time as a student, Shelley was outstanding. It just goes to show that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and have an amazing career in the travel industry,” says Richard.

The CLIA Rising Star Awards are being held in Sydney on February 23. Shelley will be attending the awards with her husband as a formal guest of World’s Leading Cruise Lines (who represent Cunard, Princess, Carnival, Seabourn and more).

“I’m super happy to make it as a finalist!” says Shelley.

“I’m incredibly proud to be considered. It’s lovely having my training and knowledge rewarded.”

You can find out more about Shelley’s business, Clevedon Travel, by visiting her website or Facebook page.

Are you inspired by Shelley’s story? ITC Study From Home is enrolling now – get in touch today to secure your spot in our next intake. 

Student interview: Savita Hira

Savita (centre) with her study mates Selina and Cathy.

Every month, we interview a Study From Home student (past or present) to provide insight on what it’s like to study travel and tourism from home with ITC.

This month, we spoke to Savita Hira, an exceptional student who recently completed the Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Tourism.

Savita’s story is a special one, as despite studying from home she made some amazing friendships on this course. Savita, Cathy Puna, and Selina Bui formed a close bond and supported each other through the ups and downs of distance learning.

“Savita, Cathy, and Selina show it’s possible to make close friends and have genuine peer support while studying from home,” says SFH Team Leader Richard Euston.

“They are a great example of how distance learning can be just as enriching as on-campus learning,” Richard adds.

Here is Savita’s story, in her own words.

SFH: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Savita: I’m originally from India. New Zealand is my adopted country and I love to be a part of Kiwi culture.

What inspired you to Study From Home with ITC?

I work at the airport, where I meet, serve, and talk with many airline staff and am always inspired by them. I never stop dreaming about working in the tourism industry, so I began searching online for a correspondence course that would allow me to study from home without giving up my job. That’s when I found ITC and felt very excited about the possibilities.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

Every chapter I studied throughout the course caused my interest in the tourism industry to grow. For example, I learned about the rules and regulations of the airline industry and about various cultures and different meanings of gestures within those cultures. I also learned how to provide excellent customer service to passengers with special requirements, plus so much more.

And I was very lucky to have study mates, we have been supporting each other in our studies and it’s made our journey so enjoyable.

Do you have any advice for people thinking about studying at ITC?

I am already in my 50s and I used to think ‘it’s too late’ or ‘you do not have time’ with full-time work and family commitments. But I’m sure you can do it! In the end, I believe it’s worth it if it gives you the chance to achieve your dream job. You may find it difficult at the start but you can make minor sacrifices here and there and give yourself a shot.

Also, whenever you struggle to understand any topic, the tutor is just a phone call or an email away. The tutors have been very supportive right through our study and beyond.

Could you tell us more about the friends you made while studying from home?

I made two online study friends (Selina and Cathy). We had a quick chat at the end of the Orientation Day (at Botany Campus) and began chatting to each other via text messaging. Whenever we found difficulty, we used to chat by text message and have been there to encourage each other.

I feel very lucky to have study mates. I believe even after the conclusion of the course, we’ll continue to keep in touch.

Are you inspired by Savita’s story? ITC Study From Home has travel and tourism qualifications starting in February. Get in touch today to learn more.

Student interview: Joanne Walker

This month’s student interview is with Joanne Walker from Te Kuiti.

Every month, we interview a Study From Home student (past or present) to provide insight on what it’s like to study from home with ITC

This month, we interviewed Joanne Walker from Te Kuiti. Joanne is a dairy farmer turned tourism student with a huge passion for travel.

Joanne has overcome many personal challenges to be where she is today, and we’re so proud of her for pursuing her tourism dreams. Her story is an inspiration to all; we hope you enjoy it.

1. What inspired you to study from home with ITC?

After giving up 20 years of dairy farming in 2015, I had to make a decision about what I would do next. I have always loved travelling and thought that re-training in this field would be perfect for me, but instead I purchased a business in town. Unfortunately this business failed due to lack of support and I ended up shutting the doors in 2017. I had to put my plans to study travel on hold again as my father had an accident, and I then had to find a part-time job that worked around his farm work, as well as providing an income to support my two children (I am a single mum). Finally, in 2018, I was able to pursue my passion and jumped at the chance to enrol at ITC.

2. What inspired you to study travel and tourism?

I just love to travel and experience new cultures and adventures. Hearing about other people’s travel adventures is great, but I get so jealous because I want to travel all the time but unfortunately finances don’t allow this. When I gave up dairy farming I had no formal training in any field (except a certificate in Hairdressing), as I had been hands on dairy farming for almost 20 years. Giving it up was a huge and scary decision as I knew finding a job with no actual qualifications at my age, as a single mum would not be the easiest thing to do. I did purchase a local business which I knew was financially risky from day one but it was a great learning curve in customer service and how wholesale/retail works so even though it didn’t work out it has a positive outcome in this regard. Always in the back of my mind though I was thinking about studying travel and tourism as a way to move forward and branch out.

3. What is your dream job?

Employment options are limited in my home town. I would like to become a travel consultant and I would eventually love to work from home…or even on the road providing a service to clients who find it hard to get into town during normal working hours. I don’t really know what my dream job would be as long as I could get the opportunity to travel and explore new activities and places with it. I would give anything a go until I found the job I knew I was perfect for.

4. What do you find most enjoyable about studying from home so far?

Flexibility and the time commitments aren’t too strenuous. I could have finished this course much, much sooner but sometimes life takes over. With work and kids and helping out on the farm when needed, the ITC Distance Learning has been a great way to get study done but not bee too pressured by time.

5. Do you have any advice for students who are thinking about studying from home?

I would say go for it and don’t over think things. Even though the time needed to complete the course looks daunting when you start, many of the Units can be finished well ahead of schedule and getting ahead early helps later on if something happens and you cannot study for a week or so. It is a great way to get a qualification while working or being a mother or both and the satisfaction at the end of it is well worth the effort put in.

Are you inspired by Joanne’s story? Discover the flexibility of studying from home yourself; we have courses starting in February 2019. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you kickstart your career in airline, travel and tourism.

The best of the blog in 2018

Just some of the wonderful students we’ve featured on the blog this year.

As 2018 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on some of our best stories for the year.

Here is the best of the Study From Home blog for 2018.

Wise words from a Study From Home graduate

Earlier this year, we spoke to Study From Home graduate Leeah Wilkinson who shared her tips for succeeding at distance learning, applying for jobs once you graduate, and following your dreams.

‘Thank you for the learning adventure’ says SFH graduate

Graduate Cheytarna Scott called her time with ITC Study From Home a “learning adventure”. In this blog post, she reflects on her experience and shares some tips for balancing study with family and work life.

Regions benefiting from rise in international visitors, says Tourism NZ

This year, many articles on the blog focused on how the tourism boom is benefitting the regions. This article gives a good overview of how the rise in international visitors is helping regional New Zealand.

How one Study From Home graduate started her own travel business

Read about how Shelley Williams launched her own travel business after she graduated with a qualification from Study From Home. She is the proud owner of Clevedon Travel, a boutique travel agency.

Student interview: Kristen from Christchurch

In October, we launched a new feature on the blog: student interviews. First up, we spoke to Kristen from Christchurch who is studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4.

Five minutes with travel agent Racheal Pearce

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a travel agent? Study From Home graduate Racheal Pearce gives us a peek behind-the-scenes into her job as a travel agent for You Travel in Eltham.

Thanks for reading along with us, and we look forward to sharing more wonderful student success stories in the New Year. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about studying with us, please get in touch: we’d love to hear from you.

Five minutes with travel agent Racheal Pearce

Racheal on a recent trip to Rarotonga, where she visited 21 resorts. Thanks to her research, she can confidently recommend resorts to clients wishing to travel to Rarotonga.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work as a travel agent?

Study From Home graduate Racheal Pearce has been working as a travel agent for You Travel in Eltham for 18 months. We recently caught up with Racheal to find out how her job is going.

Below, she shares some insights into what it’s like to work in an office after studying from home, how she made a good impression with her employer, and how she continues to learn in the workplace.

SFH: What’s it like to work in the travel industry?

Racheal: I love the industry, no two days are the same. I’m learning about many new destinations for clients. If you love to travel or anything to do with aviation, this is the best industry. You’re constantly learning about new and amazing places, and it’s guaranteed your travel bucket list will keep growing.

What are the best things about working as a travel agent?

Hearing all the stories when the clients return. We follow up within 2 weeks of their return, via email or phone call, and most of them call in and rave about how much fun they had and book a new trip.

I specialise in cruising, I discovered when I was studying this was a passion of mine. I’ve been on two cruises this year and I’m going to Rarotonga soon for a 10-day working holiday.

Do you have any tips for making a good first impression with your employer?

Find out how they like their drinks (tea, coffee, etc) and study their routines. This got me in the good books very fast. Also, keep asking about any further training you can do to increase your knowledge. And don’t be afraid to pick their brains, as they may have a brilliant idea that will secure the sale.

How do you process all the new learning that comes with the job?

You will not stop learning for the rest of your life. My boss has been in the industry for over 30 years and is still learning. I have spoken to other agents who have been in the industry for over 40 years and they have mentioned they are still learning.

I’m currently studying with CLIA (cruise line training) and I have just gained my second tier. For the final tier, I have to sit an assessment.

When you become a travel agent, you might need to do online training to use another GDS if they use Sabre or Galileo. I had to learn Galileo, but it was very similar to Amadeus so there is no need to stress.

How did studying from home prepare you for your job?

The main skills I learned were time management, prioritising your workload, and managing deadlines. I use these skills every day in my job. For example, you only have 24 hours to get a proposal out to a client. When you have to get three out at once, time management skills come in handy!

Do you have any other tips for students about to start studying from home with ITC?

My best advice is to never be afraid to ask questions. If you’re thinking about joining the industry, ITC is the best place for you to get into this career. There are so many different fields to go into, from consultancy to air hostess to cruise ship staff to wholesale support.

Once you’ve started your training, follow what is taking your interest most and talk to your teacher about getting into that side of the industry. You won’t regret it!

To find more about Racheal’s Study From Home journey, click here.

Student interview: Cathy from Auckland

Cathy is studying aviation from home in the hope of one day working at Auckland Airport.

Welcome to a new feature on the Study From Home blog: student interviews.

Every month, we interview a Study From Home student to provide insight on what it’s like to study from home with ITC.

This month, meet Cathy from Auckland who is studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation.

1. What inspired you to Study From Home with ITC?

The convenience of studying at your own pace, alongside family and full-time work.

2. What inspired you to study travel & tourism?

I’ve always wanted to experience what it would be like to work in the travel industry (aviation).

3. What is your dream job?

To work at the airport as a check-in agent with Air New Zealand then work my way up the career path within the industry.

4. What do you find easiest or most enjoyable about studying from home so far?

I find it really fascinating to learn about aviation. The industry is extremely interesting and I really enjoy everything I’m learning.

5. What do you find hardest about studying from home so far?

Distractions. It can be hard to focus when studying from home. You need to set aside at least three to four hours (or more) to study alone every day.

6. Do you have any advice for students who are thinking about studying from home?

• Allocate a set time to study every day. It’s really important to study for three to four hours every day.
• Try not to get distracted. Working in a quiet area is really helpful as it allows you to think clearly.
• Don’t attempt to do any quizzes or exams when you’re really tired. Choose a time when you feel fresh and clear-headed.
• Use your tutors for help.

 
ITC Study From Home is enrolling now for 2019. Get in touch today to learn how we can get your airline, travel and tourism career off to a flying start. 

Student interview: Kristen from Christchurch

Kristen Reid is studying Level 4 while working at the YHA.

Welcome to a new feature on the Study From Home blog: student interviews.

This is your chance to learn more about what it’s like to Study From Home from people who are currently completing a qualification (or who have recently graduated).

First up, meet Kristen from Christchurch, a second-year student who is studying towards the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4.

Below, she shares her story, tells us about her fantastic job with YHA, and shares some tips for future students.

SFH: What inspired you to Study From Home with ITC?

Kristen: I had been working in the industry for a year and decided I wanted to advance my career. I came from a totally different career background, but when that didn’t work out I moved on to tourism. A friend of mine was actually studying at the time and mentioned he was studying through ITC. I decided to give it a go.

Why did you choose to study travel and tourism?

I was fresh in the industry and didn’t have much knowledge as I came from a completely different industry. I wanted to know as much as I could. My mum was also a huge part of the reason why, I wanted to share my knowledge with her like she has done about the world for me!

What is your dream job?

This time last year I would of told you working for a travel agency selling international products – but now, as cliche as it sounds I have to say it’s my current job. I work for the Youth Hostel Association New Zealand, selling products for inbound tourism. Most of the time it’s also for tourists who are in my age bracket, which makes understanding their needs easy as generally they are like-minded people. It’s amazing and I love every minute of it. Helping people who are coming to our beautiful country is the best part! It also helps that YHA is an amazing place to work.

What do you find most enjoyable about studying from home so far?

Learning at my own pace. I’ve definitely benefited from this. I struggled to keep up at school as I always found it hard in subjects that weren’t art related. So studying from home was the best option. Also being able to study when I was ready was awesome too. There are obviously time limits to when topics are due etc but it worked around my life not the other way around!

What do you find challenging about studying from home?

Self motivation. It’s hard to stay motivated sometimes especially when you work full time as well as study (like myself). It does take a lot of motivation to keep going, but it’s well and truly worth it when you get the results for working hard.

Do you have any tips for students who are thinking about studying from home?

Do it! You will not regret gaining more knowledge! Gaining industry knowledge will only help you grow as a employee and also as a person.

Inspired by Kristen’s story? Study From Home has qualifications starting on October 22 – get in touch to register your interest.

How one Study From Home graduate started her own travel business

Shelley Williams started her own travel agency after completing a Level 4 travel qualification with ITC Study From Home.

Meet Shelley Williams: a recent Study From Home graduate and a new business owner.

Shelley is the company director of Clevedon Travel, a boutique travel agency. She founded Clevedon Travel after she completed the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4 with ITC Study From Home.

Now Shelley is her own boss. Perks of her job include working from home (or by the school pool!), spending more time with her two daughters (aged 7 and 9), and even getting to travel on famil trips (this year she went to Laos). Inspiring, right?

We caught up with Shelley to find out how she started her own tourism business. Below she shares her story, including some tips for anyone keen to work in travel.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m 42 and live on a farm with my husband, my 7 and 9 year old girls, and lots of animals.

What inspired you to study from home with ITC?
When both of my girls started school, I thought it was good timing to go back to work. I realised I wanted a career that allowed me to spend time with my family. I really loved travel, but I needed a formal qualification to get into the industry. ITC offered a great Study From Home option that I could complete while the girls were at school.

What did you enjoy most about the NZ Certificate in Travel Level 4?
I liked the industry knowledge I learned. I especially enjoyed the assignments that gave my brain a workout.

Can you tell us a little bit about your career history? How did you get to where you are today?
My career history is very long! I started working at The Warehouse when I was 16, and after many years there I moved on to office-based customer service and sales jobs. By the time I went on maternity leave nine years ago, I was a PA and had been doing that for several years. While my PA role involved a lot of booking travel for my bosses, I was never in the travel industry.

Tell us about Clevedon Travel. What does your job involve?
My current job is as company director of my own travel agency, Clevedon Travel Limited. I work from home or wherever I can take my laptop (in summer this was often at the school pool). I find clients through local contacts, word of mouth, and online groups (e.g. Facebook).

Since January, when I started the company, I’ve done everything from designing my own website, to booking cruises, organising a 5* honeymoon for a Texan VIP, and I even went on my first famil trip to Laos.

What’s it like being your own boss?
It’s not for the faint-hearted. I’m lucky to have found a mentor in the industry that provides me with lots of support for free. In return, they take a percentage of the over-rides (a bonus commision negotiated with airlines on an annual basis). I’ve had plenty of times when I’ve felt stuck, but I’ve never been without help if I’ve asked for it.

Why travel and tourism?
I love being in the travel industry! The perks are amazing. I get to go to lots of events for free. For instance, last week I was at a Soulful Vietnam Showcase on Monday night (where I won 5* accommodation, a 3-course meal, and show tickets for Saigon! I’m going to give the tickets to the next client who books with me).

Last week I also attended a Buenos Aires event at the Air New Zealand Customer Experience Centre (where they had the most amazing food, wine, and live tango show), and a ship inspection of the Pacific Jewel on Wednesday (including the most fantastic 3-course lunch). There are usually free famil trips up for grabs although I haven’t been lucky yet!

All that said, industry events are not just about the food, drink, goodie bags, and prizes. They are about making contacts in the industry and learning about destinations, services, and other wholesale companies. I’ve met many experienced travel brokers through the events I’ve attended and they’ve been a great help to me.

What travel destinations are on your wish list?
I really want to take my family for a White Christmas in the next year or two. New York is magical at Christmas time, and I’d love to tag on a trip to Canada and Alaska to check out their extreme winter. I’d also love to sail on a Hurtigruten in Norway to check out the Northern Lights, and cruise everywhere on everything really!

Do you have any advice for students thinking about studying tourism with ITC Study From Home?
Do it! And do it to the best of your ability. All the resources are there for you, you just have to take advantage of them and ask for help if you need it.

Any final tips or words of wisdom for future students?
Keep learning. I never stopped when I completed my tourism qualification. I kept learning about anything and everything. There is SO much to learn in travel, I doubt I’ll ever stop learning. There are free web courses for the most popular destinations, all of the cruise lines, and even most of the airlines offer agent sites with training courses and information. The more you learn, the more of an expert you’ll become, and the better you’ll be able to help your customers.

Are you inspired by Shelley’s story? Get in touch today to learn more about our airline, travel and tourism courses. 

“Thank you for the learning adventure” says SFH graduate

A self-described “adventure junkie”, Cheytarna loves getting out of her comfort zone.

Cheytarna Scott recently completed the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a Strand in Aviation with ITC Study From Home — an experience she called a “learning adventure”.

“I want to send a huge thank you to ITC Study From Home for assisting me through this learning adventure,” says Cheytarna.

“I enjoyed every single minute, unit and challenge set before me, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment.”

Cheytarna is now working for Flight Centre Manakau as a Novice Consultant. Below she gives us an insight into her journey so far and shares some tips for future distance learning students.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am 23 years old and am Cook Island Maori. I grew up in Clendon with my Nana and Papa. I’m the oldest of three and the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family, so I guess you could say I have oldest child syndrome! I’m a bubbly and outgoing character who loves to have fun and experience new things. I’m kind of an adventure junkie and am always eager to do activities that push my limits. I also appreciate art, music, and love a good book, and have a great passion for astrology.

I appreciate and live for moments that I can share with my family and partner, and I’m a true believer of making memories instead of gaining materials. I’m intrigued by the cultures and diversity of the world, which is what attracted me to the travel industry.

What inspired you to study with ITC?

The thing that attracted me the most was the Study From Home courses. I loved that I could study without having to give up work, and therefore my income. I was also impressed by ITC’s reputable academic success rate.

Attending Orientation Day, meeting the tutors, visiting campus and hearing all the success stories confirmed to me that I made the right decision.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

The assistance and support I received from all my tutors. Whenever I needed anything, they were always there and responded promptly. The website was easy to use and each unit was informative and intriguing, and the instructions were easy to understand and follow.

What is your dream job?

I do not have a specific dream job at the moment. I do, however, know that I would love to offer everybody the opportunity to travel, whatever background or social status you belong to. I want normal people like me, who have in the past thought it’s too expensive to get out and experience the world, to be able to do so. I want them to realise that with a little determination and goal-setting, it can be done.

Do you have any advice for students thinking about studying at ITC?

Remember to balance your study life with family life. Prioritise your time wisely, especially if you are studying from home. Make sure you study in a comfortable and quiet environment. Ensure you communicate with whoever you live with that you’re studying at home, so they can take that into consideration.

Any final tips or words of wisdom for future students?

Remember there is always support, always someone to ask for help. Don’t be shy to ask a “silly” question. And don’t be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back when you complete a unit. Set goals and aim to smash them!

Are you inspired by Cheytarna’s story? Get in touch today to learn more about our upcoming courses.

Wise words from a Study From Home graduate

Study From Home graduate Leaah Wilkinson is about to start a new job working on the Disney Cruise Ship.

Ever wondered what it’s like to Study From Home with ITC? Are you curious about what kind of jobs and experiences a tourism qualification could lead to?

We recently interviewed Study From Home graduate Leaah Wilkinson to give you an insight into our courses. Below, she shares some wise words from her experience at ITC and tells us all about her exciting new role with Disney.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Leeah Wilkinson. I’m 20 years old, and I’m a bubbly, outgoing person with a passion for tourism. I also love children.

What inspired you to Study From Home with ITC?

I was inspired to Study From Home because of the great courses offered at such an affordable rate. I also loved the idea of having a little bit of freedom and flexibility.

What qualification did you complete?

I completed the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Travel.

Congratulations on your new job! Can you give us a brief description of your role?

I’m about to work for Disney on a Disney cruise ship in the kid’s department. This involves me living on the ship and looking after all the families that come onboard for a two-week holiday.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job would be to manage and run a kid’s club on a major cruise line.

What destinations are on your travel wish list?

The world, everywhere and anywhere!

Do you have any advice for people thinking about studying from home?

It’s a great opportunity to upskill. And if you’re not ready to take the leap and move to Auckland, you can still get a tourism qualification while being close to home.

Any final tips or words of wisdom for future students?

Don’t be scared! Any opportunity is a good one. Whether it’s big or small, it’ll all help in the long run.

Are you inspired by Leeah’s story? Study From Home is enrolling now for March 2018. Get in touch today to learn more about our airline, travel and tourism qualifications.

Highlights from 2017

Here are the best blog posts from 2017, a big year for NZ tourism and ITC.

We’ve published some gems on the Study From Home blog this year. From study tips and inspiration to tourism news and student interviews, there are plenty of articles to help you on your Study From Home journey.

Here are some of the highlights from the Study From Home blog in 2017.

Regional tourism boom creates jobs throughout New Zealand

Tourism expenditure is on the rise throughout New Zealand (not just the big cities), which is great news for those who live in the regions.

ITC Study From Home donates $1,000 to community playground

The children of Waimauku have a wonderful new playground thanks to the generosity of the Waimauku Lions and supporting businesses, including ITC Study From Home.

Distance learning vs. classroom learning: What’s right for me?

A great blog to help you decide whether you’re better suited for studying from home or studying in the classroom.

“Don’t let life get in the way of your dreams” says SFH graduate

An inspiring interview with Study From Home graduate Stacey Harris, who is now working as a Reservations Consultant for Millennium Hotels.

Solo mum of three finds dream job as travel consultant

Read about how Study From Home graduate Rachel McIlroy landed her dream job as a travel consultant for You Travel in Eltham, Taranaki.

Study From Home students shine at 2017 graduation

Several Study From Home students travelled from all over New Zealand to receive their certificates at ITC’s special graduation ceremony, held at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

SFH student lands dream job with Air New Zealand

Kristina McGaffin is another Study From Home success story. Read about how she landed her dream job with Air New Zealand earlier this year.

Tips for juggling part-time work with part-time study

Studying from home and working part-time can be a great way to earn money while you gain a qualification. Here are some tips on how to balance the two.

Looking for more Study From Home inspiration and tips? We’ll be back next year with more blogs, starting January 10.

SFH graduate lands dream job with Air New Zealand

Study From Home graduate Kristina McGaffin loves her job as Lounge Host in the Air New Zealand Koru Club Lounge at Wellington Airport.

When Kristina McGaffin began the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3 with ITC Study From Home, she wasn’t sure what her future held.

“I did not think I would ever be where I am today, but here I am!” says Kristina, who is now working her dream job with Air New Zealand.

Kristina is a Lounge Host in the Koru Club Lounge at Wellington Airport. Her job is to greet customers and ensure they have a positive experience.

She credits ITC Study From Home with helping her land this position. She says she was inspired to study with ITC after reading about student success stories.

“The success stories were very positive and the support sounded great,” says Kristina.

She was also drawn to Study From Home so she could continue working full-time while she gained her qualification.

“I wanted to be able to study in my own time while working a full-time job. I appreciated the flexibility to study wherever and whenever I needed.”

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Kristina is enjoying living and working in Wellington, and hopes to do some international travel in the near future. Current destinations on her wish list include Vietnam, Thailand, and Hawaii – or, as Kristina says, “anywhere there is a beach!”

She has a few words of wisdom for students considering studying from home.

“Do it. You won’t regret it! And don’t give up on what you want. Anything is possible.”

Are you inspired by Kristina’s story? Get in touch today to learn how we can help you get your airline, travel and tourism career off to a flying start.

Study From Home students shine at 2017 Graduation

Study From Home students and tutors celebrate at the 2017 ITC Graduation at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

On Friday July 21, several Study From Home students attended the ITC 2017 Graduation Ceremony at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

Held in the Langham’s magnificent Great Room, it was a stunning evening of culture, canapes, and celebrations. The 2017 theme was ‘Your Own Culture’, so everyone dressed up as something inspired by their cultural heritage.

“It was wonderful to see so many Study From Home students at Graduation. They all looked fantastic!” says Richard Euston, Study From Home Team Leader.

Graduation is one of the highlights of Richard’s year, as it’s a chance to catch up with students from around the country and celebrate their achievements. One student travelled all the way from Roxburgh in Central Otago.

“Achieving a Study From Home qualification takes motivation, commitment, and lots of hard work. It’s amazing to be able to congratulate each student on their success,” he says.

The evening began with drinks, canapes and networking, before the official ceremony opened with an impressive Kapa Haka performance by Edgewater College, followed by a presentation by guest speakers Sam Mooney and Clint Maskell from STRAY.

Next, students were called up on stage to receive their certificates – their chance to shine!

“Giving out certificates is one of my favourite parts of the evening. It’s great to be able to shake each student’s hand, acknowledge their amazing effort, all while their friends and family cheer from the audience,” says Richard.

Richard also awarded three special awards to high performing students.

Communication Excellence: Mary Rivera
Academic Excellence: Leah Tapu Tuia
Student of the Year: Rachael McIlroy

After the special awards were presented, the official ceremony came to an end. Students and tutors then gathered in the foyer to take photos and say their goodbyes.

Professional photos from the evening are available on ITC’s Facebook page. Don’t forget to tag yourself and your friends!

Do you want to graduate with a tourism qualification next year? Study From Home is enrolling now for courses starting August 21. Apply today!

Study From Home graduate Maria Vaifale shares her story

Studying from home with ITC allowed Maria, a single mother of three, to rediscover her love for the travel industry.

Every Study From Home student has their own unique story to tell. In this week’s blog post, recent graduate Maria Vaifale shares her special journey. From her very first tourism job to the moment she decided to study from home, Maria’s story is an inspiration to all.

“I knew a part of me was missing”

Maria, a Kiwi born Samoan, has always loved the travel industry. Her first job was as a Travel Consultant for AMA Travel in 1997. However, she gave up this job when she settled down and started a family.

It wasn’t until recently that Maria realised “a part of her was missing”. She realised that she still loved the travel industry and wanted to return to work in this sector.

“Despite all of the great jobs I had over the years (with awesome salaries), I knew a part of me was missing. I analysed my situation and automatically Travel Consultant came to my mind,” says Maria, who worked in sales for companies like Avis Rental Cars and NZ Post during her break from the travel industry.

“I knew I could be a Travel Consultant again as I had the experience and knowledge of the job itself. I also had support from friends who had faith in me, as they too were confident that I’d be able to restart this career.”

Maria started to look for correspondence courses so she could work around her kid’s school hours (she’s a single mother of three) when she came across Study From Home – and she hasn’t looked back.

“ITC radiated so much positive energy”

Maria says ITC’s website and student success stories inspired her to apply, and that she was even more impressed with the College when she attended the Study From Home Orientation Day.

“There was so much positive energy in the atmosphere, not just from the tutors but also from the students. I was even more excited to commence my studies.”

“I enjoyed being able to complete the course at my own pace”

One of the main reasons many people choose to study from home is flexibility. For Maria, this was a huge bonus.

“I also loved having the awesome online team supporting me all the way, whether via phone call or email,” says Maria.

She adds that she was especially grateful for their constant motivation and encouragement.

“I’m thankful to have had such empathetic tutors, who were not going to give up on me but walked with me through my journey. I enjoyed the service from ITC and will miss everyone.”

“Now I work for Tourism Holdings as a Booking Host”

After completing her Level 4 qualification, Maria was accepted to work for Tourism Holdings in Mangere as a Booking Host (Reservation Agent).

“This job works with clients from America, Europe, and Australia. I provide pre-travel and on-hire guidance and advice, as well as issue accurate quotations and bookings for car and motorhome rentals to domestic and international clients,” says Maria.

She hopes this role will get her one step closer to her dream job, which is to work as a Travel Consultant for Air New Zealand.

“Your tutors are there for you – to guide you and answer your questions”

Maria has plenty of advice for people who are considering studying from home.

“You need to be motivated, focused, and determined to persevere through the ups and downs of your course. Ask your tutors a lot of questions via phone or email. Don’t be shy, otherwise your question will never be answered. No question is stupid, so don’t doubt yourself,” says Maria.

“Also, set a time for you to study with no interruptions. Be consistent with your studies but also realistic. Remember why you’re doing the course and think of the end line, because that’s what you’re aiming for – to graduate!”

Her final words are if she can do it, anyone can.

“I am 40 years old and a single mother… if I can complete my Travel Level 4, so can you. Go for gold and all the best!”

Are you inspired by Maria’s story? Study From Home is enrolling now with courses starting on 21 August. It’s not too late to apply – get in touch today to register your interest.

Solo mum of three finds dream job as travel consultant

Rachael McIlroy rocks a new haircut ahead of starting her dream job as a travel consultant for You Travel in Eltham.

When Rachael McIlroy was thinking about enrolling with Study From Home, she read the success stories on our website.

At that moment, she felt a spark – a strong motivation to become a Study From Home success story herself.

“From the beginning I said to myself ‘I am going to be a success story’ – and I set out to do it,” says Rachael.

It’s safe to say she achieved her goal. Rachael is now working her dream job as a travel consultant for You Travel in Eltham, Taranaki. In this role, she helps people book overseas trips by offering professional advice and selling travel packages.

The solo mum of three has wanted to work in travel since she was just a toddler, when she started flying with her grandfather in his Cessna. Studying tourism from home helped her confirm this passion.

She’s thankful she had the opportunity to study from home and encourages other tourism hopefuls to do the same.

“If you’re unable to attend campus training, I encourage you to take the first step and take hold of your dreams by studying from home. With the fantastic and helpful staff, you will not regret it,” says Rachael.

She has a few tips for future Study From Home students.

Dress to impress

Wearing professional attire is not something most Study From Home students think about until they graduate – but Rachael made a point to dress professionally from the start. She found this helped her take her studies more seriously.

“From the word go, prepare yourself professionally. Even at the Orientation Day, I wore professional attire to help me prepare for this industry,” says Rachael.

Try to finish early

Another tip from Rachael is to try to hand in assignments early if you can.

“Try to complete the units early, as you never know what may come up that may hinder your studies for a short time,” she says.

“That said, if this happens the tutors are very helpful,” she adds

Treat study like a first job

“When doing assessments, think to yourself: ‘If I was in this industry already, how would I answer this question to my boss?’ This method helps you produce top quality results of a very high standard,” advises Rachael.

It’s hard work – but it’s worth it.

“I’m happy to say I have my dream job because of this hard work.”

Would you like to find your dream job in airline, travel or tourism? Get in touch today to learn how a qualification from ITC Study From Home can help you become a success story just like Rachael.

Three tips for climbing the (travel & tourism) career ladder

ITC graduates share their advice for climbing the travel & tourism career ladder.

Calling all travel and tourism students and professionals: do you dream of one day getting promoted to a supervisory or management position?

If you want to advance your travel and tourism career, but you’re not sure where to start, look no further – here are some tips from ITC graduates who are currently doing amazing things in the industry.

1. “Work while you study”

“Work while you study, no matter what job it is,” says Aish Rangarajan, Marketing Manager at Tourism Malaysia.

“Every experience gets you that much closer to your dream job.”

At ITC Study From Home, we offer a part-time study option for all our courses. Learn while you earn and advance your career at the same time as gaining a qualification.

Our Level 3 courses are a great option for people at the start of their career, and our Level 4 course is best suited to people with some travel & tourism experience who are looking to get promoted in the near future.

2. “Make a name for yourself”

Nick Steele, the Executive Concierge at Barclay Suites Hotel, believes success is one-part hard work and one-part ‘who you know’. His advice is to work hard and make an excellent impression on everyone you meet.

“Never forget how small the tourism industry really is. If you make a positive (or negative) impact in your job, this will be spread around the industry,” he says.

“Many of the managers are good friends – and tourism providers are very friendly with each other. Make a great name for yourself and this will stead you in good hands for the rest of your career.”

3. “Never lose your sense of wonder”

If you’re curious, enthusiastic, and open to new learning opportunities, you can’t go too far wrong.

“Learn everything you possibly can from every opportunity (both in the interviewing stage and once you get a job that may be your ticket to more experience),” 

“You’ll get there. Never lose your sense of wonder.”

To summarise: invest in your education, work hard, make a name for yourself, and stay curious. With these tips on your side, you stand a great chance of finding your dream job.

Want to learn more about studying travel & tourism via distance learning? Call 0800 868 747 or send us a message. We’d love to hear from you.

Record numbers of tourists visit regional New Zealand

Dunedin city on a sunny day. Otago is one of the fastest-growing regions for tourism in New Zealand.

There was once a time when winter would leave the streets of ‘small town New Zealand’ deserted. As the weather cooled, summer holidaymakers would head back to their homes, and communities would prepare for a lull in visitors.

Times are changing. This winter, many of New Zealand’s regions showed no signs of slowing down. The streets were still bustling, bars and restaurants heaving, cash registers chiming. A variety of languages could be heard in any coffee shop.

According to data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), most regions saw an increase in tourism expenditure in the year to August 2016.

Nelson, for example, saw an 11.7 per cent increase in spending to $304 billion – making it the fastest growing region. Otago was hot on Nelson’s heels, with an increase of 9.6 per cent (to $3.2 billion).

New Zealand is well and truly in the midst of a tourism boom. And this is just the beginning. The tourism industry has set the goal of growing to $41 billion by 2025 – a big ambition that will need a strong, skilled workforce to become a reality.

In other words, there’s never been a better time to study travel and tourism. And thanks to the widespread growth of the industry, you don’t have to relocate to Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch to make your dream tourism career a reality.

Whether you live in the winterless north or the stunning south, on the east or west coast, or anywhere in between, there’s most likely a tourism job just around the corner from your home. You might find work at a local i-Site, a hotel or a bungy jump operator. Or maybe you will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at a youth hostel or work as a tour guide showing off the attractions in your region.

Whatever your dreams, ITC Study From Home can help you kickstart your travel & tourism career. We deliver airline, travel and tourism qualifications to students all around New Zealand via distance learning, meaning that you can study without needing to relocate to a bigger city. The only catch? You must be available to travel to Auckland for a workshop throughout your course – but what a great excuse to plan a trip to the big smoke!

Does this sound like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for? Contact us today to learn more about our travel and tourism courses. 

Study From Home student achieves Disney dream

Study From Home graduate Donna Cowie is absolutely thrilled to have landed her dream job, working on a Disney cruise ship.

When Donna Cowie enrolled with ITC Study From Home, she had one dream in mind: to work as a youth activities counsellor on a Disney cruise ship. After completing her studies, this bright student from New Plymouth has achieved her dream – she recently joined a Disney cruise ship based out of Florida.

“Studying with ITC turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I have made as it led me to my dream job,” says Donna.

“I’m so blessed to get this job and believe it’s going to be a great start to my travel and tourism career.”

Donna will be at sea for approximately four months, before taking a six-week vacation. Then she has the opportunity to repeat another four-month contract. If everything goes well, she can repeat this cycle (four months on, six weeks off) for as long as she likes.

The ship spends the majority of its time cruising from Florida, but in mid-May it will be heading to Europe for the summer season – a trip Donna can’t wait to experience.

“I am extremely excited at the opportunity to travel the world, explore many different countries, gain cruise industry knowledge and make friends from different areas of the globe – all while working,” she says.

Donna completed the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Level 3 and the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4. She said the information she learned on both courses has proven invaluable so far.

“In the few weeks I have been on the ship I’ve already noticed many different aspects I learnt from my courses, and how they play a role in ship life. For example, building client relationships, cultural and language differences, the importance of product knowledge and much more,” says Donna.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more as I go, with the hope of working myself towards a managerial position.”

Donna has a few final words of advice for anyone else looking to pursue their own dream job.

“I want to encourage everyone out there to work hard, take your study day-by-day, have a plan but at the same time be open-minded to what could happen. The whole world is out there and your opportunities are endless, so go after them and best wishes.”

Five minutes with Study From Home graduate Chantell Awheto

Study From Home graduate Chantell Awheto is enjoying her new career with 360 Discovery Cruises.

Chantell Awheto recently completed her training through ITC’s Study From Home programme and is now working in customer service for a leading Auckland tourism company. We caught up with her to learn about life after study.

Tell us about your job

I work full time as a sales representative for 360 Discovery Cruises. I deal with customer enquiries, make bookings and check in for the boats.

What is the best part about your role?

The highs include being able to gain satisfaction when it comes to dealing with customers, and creating memorable experiences for them.

Is there anything you find challenging?

Working well under pressure, especially when you’re doing check-in for the boats or dealing with unhappy customers.

What are some perks of the job?

The perks we get as staff for 360 Discoveries are definitely well worth all our hard work. I’ve been able to travel free aboard all our services and do famils of products we have on offer such as experiencing the Coromandel, Tiritiri Matangi and Rotoroa Island. As 360 Discovery Cruises is the little sister company of Fullers, we also get the privilege to travel free aboard some of the Fullers services such as Waiheke Island, Harbour Cruises and more.

What could this job lead to?

This role is the perfect stepping stone to the travel industry. I have learnt and gained all the necessary qualities for the industry when it comes to dealing with customers on a daily basis. I must admit that in working for this company, I’ve learnt how to work well under pressure because it’s such a demanding job, and you’re working in such a fast environment. I definitely see this job leading me into bigger areas within the industry such as travel agencies or check-in services.

What sparked your interest in travel and tourism?

My experiences throughout high school were definitely what sparked my interest. Just the thought of the travel industry itself and how it’s a growing industry all over the world.

What advice could you give to future graduates of ITC?

One thing I would recommend is for everyone to start applying for jobs well before you finish the course. ITC do an amazing job of helping all students get into work after graduating, and I would definitely take advantage of this. Also, apply yourself with confidence, keep a positive attitude and take every opportunity that passes your way.

Five minutes with Study From Home student Drue Walker

Study From Home student Drue Walker shares some study tips and advice

What are some of the benefits and challenges about distance learning? We caught up with Study From Home student Drue Walker about her experience so far.

Why is Study From Home the best option for you?

Study From Home seemed like the best option for me as I have a full time job and want to keep earning while studying.

What are some highlights about distance learning?

I’m able to work my course around my day-to-day schedule, and if I have any questions I can easily access answers or information on the ITC website or contact a tutor.
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Highlights from Orientation Day

The Orientation Day includes fun group activities, including a short assessment – you’ll walk away from the day with your first credits

Did you know all of our courses include an Orientation Day in Auckland? Held at one of our fabulous campuses, this compulsory, full-day workshop is an excellent opportunity for you to get to know your tutors and fellow classmates.

The most recent Orientation Day was in August and held at the ITC City Campus. Our students travelled to Auckland from all around New Zealand to attend this valuable workshop. We promise it’s worth the journey – in fact, according to Study From Home Team Leader Carla Sutton, Orientation Day is often the key to ensuring every student gets off to a flying start.

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Five minutes with Study From Home student Rebekah Linton

Study From Home student Rebekah Linton is studying towards becoming a travel agent. This is a picture of her from a recent trip to Disney World

What is it like to Study From Home? We caught up with current student Rebekah Linton to find out how her distance learning experience is going.

What sparked your interest in travel and tourism?

Travelling has always been something I have loved to do, as I like visiting new places and learning about new cultures. I’m also a real foodie and love to try out local dishes of the places I visit.

Ever since I was young I was lucky enough to be able to do a fair bit of travelling with my family. I would often go on trips around NZ with my grandparents during the school holidays, and I would usually go on some sort of overseas destination with my parents once a year such as Australia or Vanuatu. I’ve also done Camp America for two years – I spent 3 months at a time working in a summer camp in Maine and Connecticut.

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From Malta to Vietnam: ITC Graduate Gemma shares her travel stories

ITC Graduate Gemma Delia swimming with whale sharks in Indonesia – just one of the many exciting experiences she has had on her travels!

Gemma Delia graduated from the International Travel College in 2014. Her passion for travel and discovering new places motivated her to gain a qualification and she chose to Study From Home. Gemma is now working as a travel designer for Adventure World. In this role, she helps people achieve their travel dreams. We caught up with her to learn about her favourite travel memories and why she loves working in this exciting industry.

What sparked your interest in travel & tourism?
I have family in Malta (a small island in the Mediterranean Sea) and from a young age we would travel to visit family. Because it took 27 hours to fly there, my family would often stop in different countries along the way to break up the trip. These experiences sparked my interest in cultures and this grew into a passion to travel the world and experience all the world has to offer.

What is your fondest travel memory?
I have so many. But I think of the best moments was when I was diving with Manta Rays in the Galapagos Islands. They had 4 – 5 meter spans and were so close I could have touched them (but of course I didn’t). I just remember hanging in the water about at about 15m and thinking I am luckiest person on earth to be so close to such a beautiful, powerful but graceful creature.

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ITC Graduate Fulfils a Dream

Crystal (far right) now working for an airline, thanks to ITC and the training she had via her Distance Learning course.

Crystal Coates completed ITC’s National Certificate in Tourism Core Skills (level 3) in 2013. Immediately afterwards, she enrolled in our level 3 Aviation course. Crystal decided to study through ITC’s Distance Learning, as she was employed full time as a retail store manager. She proved to be an outstanding student.

In March 2014, Crystal had the opportunity to join the training programme with Jetstar.

“Ground school was quite intense, so much to take in in such a short time. Exams… oh my goodness! But I passed them all and the practicals as well” says Crystal.

Being offered a job as a flight attendant with Jetstar was a dream come true.

“I’m loving it! The crew have all been welcoming and helpful. The hours at first were a little tough, but I’m getting used to them now; waking up at 3-4am is the norm. I’ve set an early preference so I can be home with my family in the afternoon and evening. It has definitely been very different to anything I’ve done but that has been great.”

Auckland-based crew at Jetstar fly domestically and trans-Tasman, which means Crystal has flown to Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

“I hope to be sent to Christchurch one day to work a Fiji flight,” she says.

Jetstar’s crew is made up people of all ages. “Many different cultures as well which is nice,” says Crystal.

Crystal is thrilled she started on this new career path with ITC and says she only wished she had given it a go earlier.

“I’m so glad I’ve finally fulfilled a dream to become a flight attendant. Thank you for the support and encouragement while I was studying with ITC!”

Are you ready to fly high?

ITC distance learning students attending workshops, helping them achieve their goals

The International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) offers travel, tourism, and airline courses, and we work hard to get our graduates jobs in those industries. We want them all to fly high with their career, life and goals!

ITC offers its courses on campus and by distance online learning. If you are at home with young children, live too far from a campus, or you work and cannot attend daily classes, then distance online learning would be an ideal option for you.

These courses include all the learning resources, tutorial support, online communication and assessments you will need. You will be part of a class with fellow distance learning students from all around the country.

There are only two workshops to attend: Orientation Day, where you will get to meet your classmates, and the Customer Service workshop later in the course. Both workshops are at our Auckland campuses. This is what one of our graduates has to say about studying with ITC: “I want to say thank you to ITC for helping me get to my dream job.  Doing the ITC course has really paid off and now I wake up every morning excited about going to work. Words cannot express my gratitude.”

ITC has been a premium supplier in the airline, airport and travel and tourism industries for over 16 years. The college has strong connections in those industries and focuses on making its training relevant to employers. We also offer a job placement service to assist you in finding a job in travel, tourism or aviation!

Find out how you can launch your career by phoning the ITC team now on 0800 868 747, or check our website www.itc.co.nz and enquiry online.