Earlier this month, former Travel and Tourism student Ellie returned to Weston College to meet with our current Travel learners, sharing her journey since completing her course, offering valuable travel advice and discussing the things she wishes she had known before embarking on her adventures around the world. 

Ellie began the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism in 2023, where she quickly established herself as an outstanding student. She achieved an impressive D*D*D* in her qualification, maintained 100% attendance and was named Business and Tourism Student of the Year at Weston College’s Celebration of Success awards. 

During her presentation, Ellie reflected on the exciting opportunities she has pursued since leaving college. She spoke about her role as a Customer Care Agent for ABM at Bristol Airport, where she has worked for nearly two years, alongside her international experiences, including taking part in Camp America twice and backpacking across Southeast Asia and Australia. Most recently, Ellie has embarked on a nine-week volunteering programme in Africa, supporting local communities in Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. 

By sharing her first-hand experiences, Ellie gave students an insight into the diverse opportunities available within the Travel and Tourism industry and beyond. She offered practical tips and advice for those looking to travel independently, explaining how to get involved in international trips and projects, highlighting her favourite moments from her adventures and sharing lessons she had learned along the way. 

Guest lectures from former students provide a valuable opportunity for learners to see how their qualifications can translate into real-world experiences and career opportunities. Through discussing her role at Bristol Airport, Ellie demonstrated how the skills and knowledge gained during her studies can be applied in a professional environment, helping students understand the potential career pathways available within aviation and the wider travel and tourism sector. 

Her experiences also highlighted the personal development that comes with exploring new places, meeting people from different backgrounds and stepping outside familiar surroundings. By hearing from someone who was recently in their position, students were able to gain inspiration, ask questions and develop a greater understanding of the opportunities available to them, both professionally and personally. 

Ellie also discussed her future ambitions, revealing plans to return to Camp America for a third time, spend a year working as an au pair in Australia, complete a ski season in Canada, become a flight attendant and even work as an elf in Lapland. 

Her exciting plans demonstrated that there is no single route to success within the travel and tourism industry and that a willingness to embrace new experiences can open doors to a wide range of opportunities. Hearing about her ambitions encouraged students to think about their own goals, explore different career pathways and recognise how the decisions they make today can help shape their futures. 

Hannah Forrest, Curriculum Co-ordinator in Travel and Tourism, said: 

“It was fantastic to see Ellie again and hear about the amazing adventures she has experienced since finishing the course. She was always a model student, and to see the confidence she has gained from exploring the world and returning to share her knowledge with our current Travel students was inspiring. 

“Hearing first-hand from former students who have stepped outside their comfort zones and embraced new opportunities helps inspire our learners to pursue careers that allow them to experience different cultures, meet new people and broaden their horizons through the exciting projects and independent opportunities available to them.” 

A huge thank you to Ellie for taking the time to return to Weston College and share her fantastic journey with our current Travel and Tourism students. Her experiences are a wonderful example of how the opportunities available through education can lead to exciting adventures, personal growth and a wide range of possibilities.

This guest lecture forms part of the Travel and Tourism Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.