We spoke to Jonah Slater as he approached the end of his level 3 travel and tourism course. He told us more about how his time at college has prepared him for his move to university and into a future career in the aviation industry
This is what he told us.
What is next for you after college?
“I have a place at London Metropolitan University to study airport aviation airline management. I’m going to be starting on a foundation year and the course takes 4 years in total.
The course will help me to get my dream job working in the aviation industry. Every time I go on holiday I look out of the window of the plane and think how interesting it looks being part of the team who make the airport run smoothly.
One dream I have had for many years is to become a pilot but I don’t know if that will come off. For now, I am aiming to get to know more about the industry and work airside at an airport. My college course here and my university course will hopefully get me to that position.”
Have you always wanted to work in aviation?
“When I first started my level 2 course here at college, I was mainly just thinking about a career in travel and tourism. I didn’t have a specific goal in mind. We did one trip to Liverpool John Lennon airport which gave us a behind the scenes look at how everything worked. I think it was that trip which really solidified in my mind that a career in aviation was what I wanted to aim for.
During my first year on the level 2 course I really got a feel for everything in the travel and tourism industry. It gave us a good general background.
The level 3 has given me a greater in depth understanding and a good grounding because although my main focus is working in an airport I have got a wider perspective on the travel and tourism industry. We’ve done lots of units on a wide range of topics, on travel agencies and tourism boards and theme parks for example.”
How are you feeling about the industry and your prospects after Covid?
“I was fairly nervous initially, but through the course, I have discovered just how much money the tourism industry generates so I am confident that when it gets up and running again, and by the time I have finished university, it will probably be back to being as lucrative as it was before Covid.”
Tell us more about the course and what you have enjoyed.
“Travel and tourism is a subject that you don’t need a massive knowledge of before you start college. However, it does branch into so many areas so you can do so much with the course. The skills and knowledge you learn on the course open up so many careers. I have never looked back since I signed up.
A lot of people have the misconception that it is for people who want to go and work as cabin crew or that it is a course for girls. There haven’t been many guys on the course during my time here so it would be good to challenge the stereotypes and highlight that it is a course for everyone.
It teaches you so much about customer service, marketing, promotion and a whole range of skills you would need to work in a travel and tourism career. There are so many jobs and careers needed to make the industry work.
We had a trip to Alton Towers in our first year which gave us a chance to see the theme park in a different light. Based on units we had been learning about in class, we looked at things like their marketing and promotion. We got to find out about stories behind ride designs and how they use that as a marketing tool. Trips have been great fun but very relevant to what we are studying.
Tell us more about your tutors
“My tutors have a travel and tourism background so they have a wealth of knowledge and that makes a difference. They know the industry. They aren’t just reading from a whiteboard they are passing on real industry knowledge.
Sharon and Carl are some of the most supportive teachers I have had. I can’t fault them for anything. Throughout lockdown we did lessons over teams at the same time as our college timetable and we had access to their support throughout so you manage to stay in the swing of things. They gave us work and kept us motivated. They really do care about us finishing this course and getting the highest grade possible.”
What has been the biggest benefit of studying at college?
“I came to college from school because I didn’t think sixth form was for me. School didn’t really offer a course which linked to what I want to do. Chesterfield College is a relaxed environment and the lessons are really engaging. College life is a big factor in why I chose to study here.”