ITC and SFH staff have more than 187 years of experience between them – what it means for students
The wonderful team at ITC and Study From Home.
At ITC, we’re big believers in lived experience.
That’s why our tutors are just great tutors – they’re experts in travel and tourism. They have worked in the industry, travelled plenty, and know exactly what it takes to not just get into travel jobs, but to thrive in them as well.
Together, they have had more than 187 years of experience, and every one of them adds something special for our students.
187 years of experience brings ITC students more than just quality education. It brings a memorable experience for everyone they interact with, support, real life stories, and expertise. The team at ITC and Study From Home ‘go the extra mile’ every day regardless of lockdowns. This is why so many students continue their studies and recommend a friend.
Recently, we asked each staff member to share what it is they do to go the extra mile for our students, especially in regards to recent lockdowns. Here’s what they each had to say!
Allison Jones – Tutorial Team Leader
“Sending students an email every morning reminding them of the amazing effort they’re all putting in during this challenging time, followed by our daily motivational/inspirational quote to get them started for the day.”
Examples are:
- “Progress is progress, recognise what you’ve accomplished, reward yourself, don’t compare, love yourself, always keep going”
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
- “A year from now you’ll be glad you stayed today”
- “Stay positive, think positive, do positive”
Inder Singh – Tutor
“Answering students questions well and truly outside of business hours because some have to work and some work best in lockdown at that time. Marking online students’ papers outside of my normal hours and sometimes quite late because I know they will want their results quickly, and I want to get them back to their work. My days of work are not just Mon-Fri in level 4, but also some weekend work to help them when they need me.”
Daniel Maine – Marketing & Tourism Facilitator
Daniel has been calling hundreds of wonderful students who we’ve met across the country on a short course, expo or tourism chat. Daniel said that each conversation has been positive and enthusiastic, and he has been the epitome of what resilience is during these challenging times.
Michelle Chatfield – City Campus Manager
Organising extra support for a student to help not only them but their family. Helped with taking some of the pressure off them in such a challenging time. Reaching out to a fellow colleague and contacting them to just spend time on the phone with them and being an ear to listen.
Mel Jenkins – Marketing Manager
“Each day during Alert Level 4 I decided to create a clip a day for students of ITC and the staff so that I could share some motivation and inspiration. I called it Motivation Mel. As I progressed and more clips were produced, I saw the positive impact it was having so I even started sharing it with my own whanau and friends. It’s not only helped those around me but also it’s really helped me personally. It gives me a positive thing to focus on. You can check them out here, or watch one below!
Toni Young – Study From Home Tutor
“Responding to emails and phone calls outside our normal work times is an important part of the support for our Study from Home students while New Zealand is in lockdown. We understand how things are very different at home currently so we are being as flexible and encouraging as we can be!”
Sarah Rouse – Marketing & Tourism Facilitator
“Daniel, Shaz, Jax and myself have been working as a team these past few weeks, working extremely closely together, not only with each other but also to enroll short course students. Every Friday at 5pm we jump on teams and have a little wind down, laugh and chat to celebrate our week. It’s something we all look forward to at the end of a hard week. We are a great team at ITC.”
Susan Afoa – Tutor
“I held an extra class session for my home-class on Friday (which is usually off day off) but with a theme! The students had some remaining resits to do before their week holiday so thought it made sense. I wanted them to complete their resits before Level 4 starts and to also get their well needed break. I knew they needed some motivation to help them stay on track and that usually works when we are all online while they focus on completing their assessments. We then ended off with a Tik Tok for Maori Language week too. My most recent quote for my students was “Do it now because LATER becomes NEVER!””
Sharon Roy – Course Advisor
“Being able to reach out to those that are keen on kick starting their journey into the travel, tourism, aviation and airline industry even in these tough times and have been able to sign enrolment papers to get a start on their career goal! We had lovely Study From Home students who started this week that had inquired during the lockdown, and being able to help make it an easier process for them and knowing they are students now is an awesome feeling.”
Takeyuki Morita – Tutor
“We have been having lots of time for talking about our life, and having lots of games to entertain the day inside the home as we know we all miss the social life. I also remind them how fantastic an effort everyone is making during this difficult time; I believe it is important for a tutor to let them know that they are making meaningful progress despite the challenges they are facing.”
“We have discussed a lot about how to take care of your physical and mental health during this challenging time, and shared lots of tips. I’ve put on a Shorinji Kempo Martial Arts training for our ITC students online during lockdown for our ITC students. This is self-defence training open to the students and their family members to get some exercise and have some fun too.”
Sarndra Stephens – Employment Consultant
“I have been reaching out to support students, past and present, in different stages of recruitment. Some for part time and others for full time jobs. I have also enjoyed working with students on an individual basis to get their CVs in top shape so they are ready to hit the ground running the minute they see a part or full time job they think has their name on it.”
Nicky McCutcheon – Employment Consultant
“The most motivating part of my role during lockdown has been the ability to create more careers resources which everyone can now use for their future career progression, these are already being used and constantly developing. I have also been able to continue with organising an industry guest speaker (online which is a little different for us) and I am finding some very exciting industry roles which I have been able to put forward some of our students/graduates for. They have attended online interviews with some really successful outcomes and have in turn been my inspiration! Lockdown is not stopping anyone, just giving us a few extra challenges to navigate along the way and what an amazing feeling to overcome some of those hurdles – we are always learning.”
Claire Huxley – Chief Executive
“I’ve really tried to focus on wellbeing for our team (and students). Offering wellbeing workshops, which our Marketing Manager Mel has used to create some excellent material for students and staff. I’ve helped with lobbying, and we were successful in getting the extra Hardship money for our students to support them during a tough time in higher alert levels. Another important focus has been on supporting people in any way so they can get vaccinated, even with time off.”
Louise Griffiths – Tutor
“Our Botany level 4 students complete their studies with us in December this year. Given the difficulties of studying during lockdown it’s been good to re-visit with each student what it is they would like to do when they finish in December. We’ve used this time wisely and worked with Nicky, our Employment Consultant, to assist them with their career conversations and looking at what opportunities there will be available including International Working Holidays. We need to remind them of why they are doing what they are doing and that Nicky has so many jobs available it will be an exciting time to assist them with applications.”
Become part of the family
Interested in studying with Study From Home and becoming part of the family that looks out for each other and goes the extra mile? We’re enrolling now, so get in touch to find out more and take the first step towards an incredible career in travel, tourism, and aviation!
Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://www.studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/
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