Standing out from the crowd is crucial when launching your career in tourism, hospitality or events. Here at Sunderland, there are a whole host of schemes and initiatives you can get involved with to boost your career prospects. Read advice from recent graduates below:
Victoria Lambert, Account manager at Givergy Events
The University of Sunderland’s work placement scheme gave Victoria Lambert the chance to earn a salary while working for iBid Events. Victoria now works full-time at the company, now named Givergy Events, and believes that any student should look at taking part in the scheme.
She says: “My advice to any student would be to work hard, be enthusiastic and take advantage of the opportunities the University provides. Through the University’s placement scheme, I was able to gain a placement at iBid Events for a year. After working there for awhile, I was able to secure a full-time job and I remain there to this day. I’d recommend a placement to any student.”
The Careers and Employability Service will be able to help you arrange or prepare for invaluable placements
Laura Vadeikaite, Food and Beverage/Conference and Events Supervisor, Marriott Hotels
Our department organises several field trips a year for you to take part in, visiting some of the world’s most breathtaking cities, including Prague, Dublin and New York. Not only are these trips a truly unforgettable experience, they are also invaluable for developing skills that will be relevant not only to your course, but also to your future career in the industry.
Not only did Laura Vadeikaite gain lifelong memories on trips abroad, she also gained vital insight into the industry that helped her with her final-year dissertation and her career – she now works for the Marriott Hotels company.
Tourism students on a recent trip to Beamish
“The University played such an important role in my career.”
“In my first year, we went to Holy Island and Liverpool, both trips were very interesting. I was an international student and it was my first year in the United Kingdom, so it was a great chance for me to explore England. In my second year, we went to Prague. I loved the place and also how we combined university work with city exploring. And my last year trip was the most memorable, as we went to New York – it was truly inspiring and big inspiration for my dissertation writing.”
Bogdan Metes, MSc Tourism and Hospitality and BSc Hospitality and Tourism graduate
The department has fantastic local, national and industry contacts that students can use to make connections, gain experience and gain a head start in the industry.
Tourism student, Bogdan Metes
Bogdan Metes took advantage of our department’s connections to gain unrivalled experience to help boost his CV.
“Through my studies and due to the amazing lecturers that have looked after me I was put in contact with several giant employers, not only in the region but also worldwide."
“I have taken part in the planning and the organisation of major business and leisure events, through both volunteering and paid schemes and thus I have not only gained highly appreciated skills but also established invaluable connections. And I can safely say that due to experience, social skills, knowledge gained and simply time spent studying for these courses, I currently have a job that I love.”
Published: 12 September 2017