Caitlin Woof-Tourism and Travel sparked my adventure

Our teachers threw us in canoes and made a classroom of kids paddle to the middle of nowhere, to sleep in tents and poop in holes we dug ourselves and it was probably one of the most beneficial life experiences I’ve ever had.

Graduating Travel, Tourism & Eco-Adventure has not only paved my way to the most incredible career opportunities; it gave me the tools to step out of my comfort zone, have unforgettable experiences, meet some of the most interesting people, and see the most breathtaking places in Canada. Some may say that being put in a tent, on an island in the middle of nowhere might do that to you- push you out of your comfort zone.

Travel and Tourism wasn’t your average classroom. I don’t think many other programs taught you how to dogsled, to snowshoe up a mountain, or how to dig a cat-hole either (that’s a hole you poop in). These not-so-average classes showed me that I wanted a not-so-average career either, in not so average places.

I took with me the tools that T&T taught me, including stepping out of your comfort zone, and drove myself halfway across the country to take on a job of being a whale watching assistant on the tip of Nova Scotia. Travel & Tourism showed me that there’s always more adventure, and it gave me a thirst to keep exploring. So soon after I drove myself completely across the country to work in Fernie, British Columbia in the most breathtaking mountain town where I would meet people from all over the world. I was able to wake up to the snow covered mountains and take on a new adventure every day.

Today I’m writing this from my office, as the supervisor of one of the oldest lodges in the beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. I know I made the best decision taking this program when I can look out my window and see the glacier fed lake and rocky shores, and the incredible mountain range surrounding my village.

Soon I’ll be looking for the next place to discover. Confederation College, my teachers, my peers, and this program has opened so many doors for me all across the country that I can’t just stop exploring here.

My adventure started with Travel, Tourism & Eco-Adventure and it hasn’t stopped since.

Caitlin Woof-Graduate 2016

Baily-Jean Hamilton-Operations Lead Westjet

This year I graduated from Travel and Tourism - Adventure and Ecotourism Program with Confederation College. My program helped me create a future I never dreamed I could have. During my time with Confederation College I was given the opportunity to work with WestJet airlines as part of my Cooperative Education where I truly grew a love for the industry. Once I completed my Cooperative Education I was able to receive a permanent job with the WestJet as a Customer Service Agent. I then worked my way up to Operations Lead and am now currently the local base trainer here in Thunder Bay. With WestJet I am a part of the local Care Team where we work together on our community investment which is very important to me. My biggest accomplishment with WestJet has been our 12,000 Christmas Miracles where we went out into the community and did small acts such as putting change on parking meters at the college and hospital and well as leaving candy canes on everyone's’ cars. WestJet has also given me the opportunity to travel the world. Some of the destinations include London, Paris, St. Lucia, Hawaii, Germany and numerous others.

I am also a manger to a company I took part in creating called Union Jack'd Bustraunt. Union Jack'd is a 1966 double decker bus from Scotland that we restored and converted into a food truck (Bustraunt). Our goal with the bus has had primarily been to increase local tourism traffic to different areas of town as well as enrich our customers with remarkable service. The Travel and Tourism program helped me a lot in learning how to own and run a business solely by the numerous different classes they offer. Some of the classes being business fundaments, sustainable tourism, marketing for tourism and customer service professional. Without these classes I would not be even close as knowledgeable as I am now in owning a business. 

Without the encouragement and help from my program coordinator Giannina Veltri and the college I don't think any of this would have been possible. I am undeniably thankful to the college for taking a part in helping me create a bright future for myself. 

Scott Simpson-Systems Operations Control Centre

I registered into Tourism - Travel & Eco-Adventure program in the Fall of 2006.  At this point, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do in life, but I loved to travel.  What did I have to lose?

This decision ended up being one of the best choices in my life.  Not only did I meet some great people who many became long-term friends, but I got to meet Giannina and Rod.  These two made coming to school fun.  We learned many things in such a way that it didn’t feel like we were in school.  We also got to experience learning outside of a classroom; from a canoe trip, to hiking, and a class trip to Costa Rica. 

I graduated in the summer of 2008 and was lucky enough to get a job shortly after, with Wasaya Airways.  I was originally hired as a Flight Follower but with some hard work and dedication, I’ve worked my way up to the Manager of SOCC (Systems Operations Control Centre).

All this has allowed me to do what I love most: travel.  From New York, Mexico, St. Lucia, and Panama, just to name a few.  I credit for where I am today to the experience I learned within this program.  Thanks Giannina and Rod!

“Life is short and the world is wide”

Scott

Before entering the program, I had already travelled to a handful of countries. I was indulging into my desire to explore the unknown and was able to enjoy the breathtaking wonders that our world has to offer. I was able to experience white water rafting down the tallest rafting waterfall in New Zealand, climb to the top of an active volcano in Italy, see the birthplace of the Olympic games in Greece, watch some of the most dangerous animals in Australia, and as you can probably imagine the list goes on and on. The only way that these journeys became possible, were because, I was able to join the travel club in high school. I was living in a world of adventure and little did I know, that joining the travel club was just the beginning of the passion I now have.

I graduated from the Travel and Tourism program in 2015, through one of the colleges’ regional campuses in Sioux Lookout. This experience in itself was a whole different world then what I was used too. I didn’t have a teacher in the same room as me, except virtually through the computer. I was able to still live at home, work part time, and go to school full time. You really have to be dedicated to your studies when the majority of it is all online and through distance. At the end of the program we went abroad on a voluntourism trip to China. We literally went to the other side of the world, here a lot of the group experienced culture shock for the first time. Some of us got to climb to the top of the Great Wall, kiss a fish for good luck, eat roasted scorpions on a stick, and we got to see panda bears in their native country. All in all, we had a great time!

Having come from a small town of 5500 people, the choices for jobs in the Tourism industry are quite limited. I walked into the program with my head held high and with a positive attitude and said “I’m going to get a job with the busiest airline that this town has.” Two weeks before graduation, an opportunity arose and I jumped right on it. Two days after completing the program I had a position with Wasaya Airways; as a Customer Service Agent. 10 months into the job I was promoted to Operations Coordinator and then at 17 months with the company, was again promoted to Assistant Station Manager for Sioux Lookout.

None of this could have become possible without the help of Giannina or Rod. These two believed in all of us and gave us their continued support. I encourage anyone who is going to take this program to take full advantage of any opportunity that they are presented with. Go out and reach for your dreams. I know I did and I get to walk into work every day enjoying what I do!

 

“Dream, Believe, Achieve”

 

At the young age of 51 years old I realized I needed a new challenge in life.  In 2014, I enrolled in the Tourism Travel & Eco Adventure Program at Confederation College.  My love for travelling and meeting new people was the reason I choose this particular program. 

 

Being a mature student I found the two years of classes challenging and many times I found myself outside my comfort zone. My personal motto became “Dream, Believe, Achieve.”  The vast number of courses offered gave me many options to open doors to an exciting career and I knew my dream job was to work for an airline. Every course gave me an insight to the bigger picture.  Our study abroad trip to Peru opened my eyes to other cultures and my passion for travelling continues to grow.

 

Three days before finishing classes I accepted a position of Customer Service Agent with Jazz Aviation LP/Air Canada Express.  This position allows me to meet many people and I have been able to use the skills and knowledge I learned while attending classes.

 

I truly could not have made it through the two years without the awesome support and guidance from all my teachers but most of all from Giannina Veltri, Program Coordinator, and Matthew Villella, Teacher.  My wonderful loving family were by my side the two years making sure I didn’t give up and in the end celebrated with me all the good times. My biggest cheerleader was my oldest grandson, Brayden.  All these amazing people in my life believed in me even when I second guessed myself.

 

I graduated June 2016 with Honours and received the Academic Award of Excellence for achieving the highest academic standing in the Tourism Travel and Eco-Adventure Program.  And also I was presented with the President’s Award of Excellence for achieving the highest academic standing in the School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts.

 

Don’t be afraid to Dream too big!! Nothing is impossible if you Believe in yourself!! You can Achieve it!!

 

 

 
Laurie Kivi
Customer Service Agent
Thunder Bay (YQT)
laurie.kivi@flyjazz.ca

Sarah Dohan - Flight Centre

Hey Guys!

I just wanted to email you and update you on my life adventures as an International Travel Consultant for the Flight Centre.

First I want to say I cannot begin to explain or express how valuable everything you taught me is, even though at the time of learning I had NO IDEA I would end up in this line of work but I am soooooo happy I did.  The company I work for is awesome!  Anyone who says having a job as a travel agent is dumb, or that there is no future because of the Internet has no idea what they are talking about.  As a company we have over 2000 shops worldwide with over 12,000 employees and we continue to grow.  Working in the industry I can now stress the importance of booking with an agent for many reasons which I am sure you are aware of!

Let me tell you how awesome my company is!  We do work on salary and receive a percentage of our commission and there is never a cap on what we can earn.  I like this because if for whatever reason you have had a bad month you always have the salary to fall back on or support you.  Within my company there is always room for growth as well.  Some of the biggest and highest ranked employees started at the retail level with no post secondary education and have worked their way up through the ranks through tough work and determination which is really exciting.  They are a company that supports and promotes their employees and you feel that everyday through incentives and awards that are constantly being given out.  For example, I did a transfer in my second month of $9000 in commission and I have never felt better recognized or appreciated in my life.  We are a company full of young like minded people also, so making friends is like easier than pie!

On to the perks!  I live on Vancouver Island and for training every Monday for 3 weeks, they would fly me to Vancouver on a float plane from our harbour to downtown Vancouver and put me up for the week in a hotel like the Hyatt or Marriott Residence, and then fly me home for weekends.  After about a month of working, we had our year end party which took place in Vancouver.  Once again I was flown to Vancouver and back free of charge where I was able to party with all 1000 employees from our Western division.  It was awesome!  Open bar! Ha, Ha!  We have staff socials every month where awards are given out and where we eat and party together.  They are great at creating a welcoming environment and making sure you feel appreciated.  Another awesome perk is staff conferences.  I just returned from a 3-day conference at Sandals in Ocho Rios..completely covered!  3 days of intense learning and fun with 300 other consultants.  They basically shut down the resort for us and they made sure that we had fun as well as working hard.  Finally, there is Global Ball, where Flight Centre honors their best employees every year by brining them to a very special location for a very special award ceremony.  This year it is in Macau!  I am on track to go so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Anyways I just wanted to update you with what I'm doing and feel free to tell the new students my story because it is awesome!  When I come back to visit family in Thunder Bay I will drop in.  Thanks again for everything you guys did and taught me..once again I cannot express the value of it!  (I still hate GDS/APOLLO).  You guys rock!  I hope everything is going well there and I hope to speak to you soon!  Also...I know of an AWESOME agent if you every need one!  (hint, hint)

Much love!
Sarah