Connexions Greater Merseyside

Success in Leisure and Tourism

Rachael Kelly

Student in Foundation Degree in Leisure and Tourism

“In my last year at school, I visited Birkenhead Connexions Centre where I discussed what to do after my GCSE exams. My Personal Adviser helped me to decide on the AVCE in Travel and Tourism at Wirral Metropolitan College. As part of my course, I did work experience in a hotel. It was a good atmosphere there but it made me realise that it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

Studying the Travel and Tourism course gave me an insight into the industry and I wanted to study it in more depth. I enrolled on the Foundation Degree in Leisure and Tourism, also at Wirral Metropolitan College, where I am in the first year.

I have recently started a placement at the Williamson Art Gallery where I am doing a variety of different jobs in order to learn about how it is run.

My advice to other young people is -

that it is better to go to college or into an apprenticeship rather than straight into a job because it gives you more options eventually.”

For more success stories in Travel and Tourism please take a look at the careers section of the Aim Higher Greater Merseyside website where you can find out more information on careers in Travel and Tourism including Tourism Development Officer, Tourist Infomation Officer, Travel Agency Manager, Customer Service Agent and Cabin Crew