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IMPOSSIBLE! Unfortunately, it is impossible to describe all of careers our graduating students are living. Since we cannot describe them all, we feature only a few here.
Allison Bel - Sell Off Vacations
In June of 2010 I graduated from the Tourism & Travel – Adventure & Ecotourism program at Confederation College. Not really knowing what I wanted to do or what my interests were, I took the course because I knew that I loved to travel. There are so many sectors in the industry, such as land travel, cruise, air, and hospitality; it’s hard to know what really interests you the most. In the last year of the program, our class travelled to Tunisia, Africa. The trip really made me realize that I wanted to see more of the world, so I needed a job that allowed me to travel.
After graduation I moved to Saskatchewan to work in a hotel, but after working there for a few months I realized I wanted something bigger. So I moved back to Thunder Bay and was offered a position at Sell Off Vacations as a Travel Counsellor..
Sell Off Vacations is owned by Sunwing Travel Group who have branches across Canada. We offer all inclusive discount vacation packages, air only, cruise vacations, and land tours around the world. After working with this company for a short while, I realized this really is the perfect job for me. I get to research destinations all day, give advice on where to go and what to do, and I still get many travel opportunities with agent discounts! I can’t wait to start exploring the rest of Africa and Asia!
Taking the 2 year Tourism & Travel – Adventure & Ecotourism course really helped me understand what I wanted to do and what would make me happy. I owe everything to the 2 great professors of the program, Rod & Giannina! Without their support and guidance I would not be where I am today. Thank you!
Cathleen Goble - Carnival Cruise Lines
I have just graduated from the Carnival Guest Services College!
I spent the last month on the Carnival Fascination and had a great time. I received the 2nd highest mark on our first test and received a free shore excursion and a catamaran tour with snorkeling in Nassau. Hopefully soon I will receive my epaulets and will be an officer.
So far I have only the one picture; possibly I might be able to get a few more on my next ship. So far I have been to Freeport, Nassau, Key West, and Half Moon Cay (Carnival's private island) and have enjoyed each port of call. I have also met so many people. My traing class had 13 students from Croatia, Russia, Jamaica, Serbia, and Canada. Our teacher is from Brazil. I'm currently back in Miami to transfer ships.
I will arrive in New York City on the 2nd to join the Carnival Glory to do the East Coast Canadian run for the summer and then head back south for the winter. I'm really looking forward to my new ship and to see all of the ports of call that I will be stopping at along the way. I will keep you informed as to what I'm up to and where I am.
I hope all is well back in Thunder Bay
Amanda Mercier - Totem Resorts, Ontario and Tunisia, Africa
Totem Resorts are 5 Star Fishing Resorts located on beautiful Lake of the Woods in Sioux Narrows, Ontario. Totem has packages for everyone including families, business meetings, and hard-core fishermen or fisherwomen. The lodges Totem has to offer include Totem Lodge, Yellow Bird Lodge and Chalet, Wiley Point Lodge and French Portage Outpost. The scenery is breathtaking and the fishing is world class. People return every year for the Totem experience.
I have had the opportunity to work at all of these amazing resorts in various positions.
My main occupation is a Fine Dining Waitress. My duties include preparing and cleaning the dining room, providing the chefs with guests' proper orders, serving orders, preparing bills and making sure that all guests' needs and expectations are met. The best part about the job is the wonderful staff. It is such a diverse community and I have met some people that I will definitely never forget.
The Eco Travel and Tourism Program is designed for students who want to get the best out of life. Not only was the program run by the two amazing teachers, Giannina and Rod, but we went to Africa too!! I couldn't wait to go to each class because the courses were so interesting. 
I highly recommend this program for people who like to explore, want to work in the travel industry, and further their education.
This summer is going to be my third summer at Totem Resorts. This summer I was offered the position of the Dining Room Supervisor at Wiley Point Lodge. I am currently continuing my education at Confederation College in the Pre Health Sciences program and I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Science and Nursing at Lakehead University. This job that I took as my Co-op position in Tourism and Travel has made it possible for me to continue my education. After I successfully become a Registered Nurse, I hope to travel and work. Having the Tourism program should help me find a job in the Tourism Industry as a Nurse.
Shawn Muffy - The Moose Travel Network
Working for The Moose Travel Network is certainly an awesome job as well as a great experience. As a Tour Guide/Driver for the Mowhawk tour, I take up to 17 passengers across Ontario and Quebec and cover 2800 km over 11 days. The tour is designed to be full of fun things to do including city walks, whale watching in Tadoussac, a 1000 islands boat tour in Rockport, hiking in Algonquin and white water rafting on the Ottawa River. (All of which I get to partake in!)
Each day is long and exhausting, but it's definitely the most fun job I've had thus far. I get to hang out with a bunch of people for 11 days (have plenty of laughs of course) and as soon as I get back to Toronto, there's always a cheque waiting! However, one downside of this job is that I don't get to spend a whole lot of time
with friends and family. I'm on the road for most of the month and get 3 days off every 2 weeks. On top of that, sleeping in hostels every night and getting up early can get a bit annoying.
I'm also completely unsupervised which means I have no one to rely on but myself. Nevertheless, all things considered, it's definitely a great job and an even better co-op! Having completed my third tour, and having dealt with the many complications that occur, I now feel very comfortable in my position and can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has to offer.
Sarah Veurink - Bearskin Airlines
I was hired at Bearskin Airlines shortly after graduating from the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism program at Confederation College. I started my extensive training at the beginning of June. As an employee at Bearskin, I was required to be trained in the duties of a Passenger Service Agent as well as both Reservations Agent and as a Cargo Agent. In August, shortly after my training and while I was still in the unending learning process, Bearskin began to handle the Delta Airline operations in Thunder Bay.
This job has been quite an experience. I have learned so many different things, I feel ready to take on almost any job in this industry now! There is plenty of training and memory and hard work required. During my two years in the Tourism & Travel program, there was heaps of useful and applicable information that I was able to use for my job. I loved the course and most likely wouldn't have gotten the job at Bearskin Airlines without it! Rod and Giannina are experts in the Tourism & Travel industry and they prepared me well!
Porter Airlines - Thunder Bay
Ian K., Theresa G., Russell L., Shannon T.
Kimberly Viheriasalo - Norweigian Cruise Lines
When I first went to college and was unsure of what to do I applied for two different courses, Early Childhood Education and Tourism & Travel- Adventure & Ecotourism. These were two totally separate programs and I didn't think I could ever put the two together. I always knew I wanted to travel the world, and I also knew that if I didn't have the skills I wouldn't get a job.
I knew I wanted a job and to travel, so now I am living my dream! I currently work for Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Seasonal Youth Consoler. When the cruise starts on embarkation day, we greet the guests and parents, while registering their children in the Kid's Program aboard the ship. On a day-to-day basis, we plan activities such as UN-Birthday Parties, play Wii, go on parades, dress as pirates, play survivor, have water fights, and have visits from Dora and Diego. Yes, I do get paid to do this. It is an amazing experience and an amazing job.
I was hired July and joined the Norwegian Gem in October, which was then sailing the Mediterranean to such places as Spain, France, Italy, and Malta. I was also on the ship during the transitional crossing which was 6 sea days from Malaga, Spain straight to New York City. We then did a Florida and Bahamas run, and continued to such places as St, Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. After a bit of a break, I joined the Norwegian Jewel sailing out of Miami which cruised to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, St Lucia, and more. I am now looking forward to joining the Norwegian Pearl which sails out of Seattle, WA to ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Skagway (Alaska).
I wouldn't have been able to do this without the amazing encouragement and help from Rod and Giannina! Thank you for an awesome two years, I have been blessed.
Amy Brizard - Celebrity Cruises
From the time I was young I had a thirst for exploring. I dreamt of seeing all the wonders this world had to offer. The question was: what was the best way to go about it. When I was almost finished high school I knew the time had come to make a decision. All I knew was that I wanted to travel the world and would never be satisfied until I'd done so. Then I heard about the Travel and Tourism program at Confederation College. Immediately I knew it was the right choice for me.
After graduation I immediately began working towards getting a job that enabled me to travel the world and have a good time doing it! I was soon invited to an interview with Celebrity Cruises in Toronto, ON. A few days later I was offered a position as Activities Staff. As activities staff, I plan and host activities, call bingo, teach dance classes, host sporting events, socialize with guests and dance the night away at various theme nights!
I joined my first ship in February. Since then, I have worked on two different ships; the Celebrity Summit and the Celebrity Infinity and have been to locations such as: St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Spain, England, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Columbia and all around Mexico! All in just under 6 months! I was also was able to cruise through the Panama Canal, sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and finally finish off my contract in beautiful Alaska! Soon I will be joining my third ship, the Celebrity Century, which is currently in the Mediterranean and I couldn't be happier!
Not only did this program teach me a lot about the tourism industry but also about myself. It gave me the confidence to put myself out there and try new things and the knowledge of the industry to get where I am today. It opened my eyes to so many new outdoors activities that I never thought I'd try, let alone enjoy! I can never thank Rod or Giannina enough for their support and encouragement! They helped me get where I am today and I'm definitely living my dream!
Scott Simpson, Tyler Warren, Shannon Laatu, Erin Anderson - Wasaya Airlines
The four of us are a great example of the success that can be achieved as a graduate of the Tourism & Travel-Adventure & Ecotourism program at Confederation College. The range of positions we work in demonstrates the versatility of a Tourism and Travel diploma. Whether on its own or in combination with another diploma/degree, the Tourism and Travel diploma is considered an asset by Wasaya Airways LP and is an important factor in hiring decisions.
As Flight Followers (Dispatchers), some of Scott and Tyler's duties include: maintaining a pro-active computerized flight watch of all company aircraft; communicating daily aircraft movements; compiling and distributing relevant operational details; completion of various performance reports, statistics and flight time logs; maintaining an effective watch of regional weather patterns; and activating emergency response procedures as required.
Shannon has been working at Wasaya Airways, as a travel specialist and has been getting the experience she needs to be successful in the travel industry.
In the ADU (Air Delivery Unit) department at Wasaya, Shannon has corporate clients that book travel with her. She arranges everything from flights to hotels to car rentals for Wasaya's corporate clients.
Erin used her Tourism & Travel diploma in combination with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management to help secure a Human Resources placement at Wasaya Airways, which has become a permanent job. As the Human Resources Coordinator, a few of Erin's responsibilities include: recruitment; new employee sign-on; benefits administration; job postings; employee relations; and providing advice/support to employees at all levels within the company to address their HR related concerns.
We would like to thank Rod and Giannina for all of their help along the way!
Alana Petzschler - Air Canada
Having been born and raised in Thunder Bay, I never would have thought that my life long ambition of traveling the world would actually become a reality for me. Now, thanks to a few years' education, great mentors and motivators, a few bumps in the road, a number of stepping stones and a few lucky strikes I now find myself as a flight attendant for Air Canada. I get to work 30 000 feet above the earth and I love it!
This opportunity did not fall in my lap. No, not at all! In fact, all the steps I took in life seemed to lead me to where I am now. Life doesn't just present you with your dreams and goals. We in fact have to work for them. It's just making the right decisions on how to reach your goal that's often the tricky part.
In high school I decided to study German. I had been in French immersion for most of my life and wanted to try a brand new language. Having a second or third language is key to getting a job as a flight attendant with a major airline. If you don't have another language, don't fret, it's not as hard as you think to learn a new language if you're dedicated enough. There are plenty of language courses out there to help you bone up on your Francais, or Espanol!
I continued my French and German studies in University and participated in a number of student exchanges. Getting to travel on your own is a great opportunity to gain experience in the travel industry. See it to know it! Knowing how to travel is good experience to have before you start doing it as a living!
After University I enrolled in the Tourism and Travel Eco-Tourism and Adventure program at Confederation College. It is there that I made great friends, great teachers and motivators. Most importantly I learned to better understand the travel industry. Learning about your industry and how to make the right career decisions is key. Learning is a means to better understand your goals and how to reach them. Success through learning as they say!
Before I even graduated I received a job offer as a Marketing Manager for an outdoor adventure outfitter in Pickle Lake. Most people thought I was out of my mind for wanting to move to Pickle Lake. However, I saw it as an opportunity for experience and real life exposure to the travel industry. Working in Pickle Lake really opened my eyes. I met great friends, paddled in canoes and kayaks, fished and got to fly all over the north in single engine airplanes! I even got to spend a week on the coast of the Hudson Bay in search of polar bears. How grand! Unfortunately I was laid off in November; however my experience there and new found knowledge of airplanes and air charter services is what led me to Air Canada.
We all have our dreams and goals and we are all capable of achieving them. There is never time for discouragement. Life is full of little lessons and opportunities to step up in the world. Let yourself achieve through learning and life experience. I hope that the Tourism and Travel program at Confederation College helps you bring you closer to your goals and it has brought me to mine.
See you in the skies!
Alana Petzschler
James (Jim) Kozik - Trans Capital Air
I am no stranger to Northwestern Ontario or Confederation College. Having been raised in Fort Frances, I am graduate of the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism Program in Thunder Bay. My interest in travel began at an early age when I used to accompany my Bush Pilot father, Fred. Of course a trip up north to Pickle Lake in a Beechcraft 18 aircraft wasn't my idea of a "jet set" life. That was especially true when the other passengers included a crate load of smelly fish! It did set the stage for bigger and better things.
After graduating high school, I enrolled in the two year Travel and Tourism Program at Confederation College. I knew in my mind that a travel background would offer many choices in the travel industry, including becoming a Flight Attendant.
That was true. Throughout the years, I have worked as a Travel Agent, Travel Instructor, Flight Attendant, Customer Service Director, In-Flight Product Coordinator, Airline Reservations Agent, Flight Attendant Supervisor, and Flight Attendant Instructor. I have worked on at least eleven types of aircraft and taken passengers throughout the world. Over 54 countries to date and five expired passports later...
I have been fortunate to work on numerous assignments for airlines such as Canadian Airlines International, World Airways, Aer Lingus of Ireland, and Garuda of Indonesia and British Airways. My work has taken me to jobs in locations such as Ireland, Indonesia, Switzerland, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East. During the winter season of 2006/2007, I was the Flight Attendant Base Manager in Winnipeg for Skyservice Airlines.
Currently, my latest employment is with Trans Capital Air. I'm on a new adventure working as a contract Flight Attendant for the United Nations in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. We have various contracts in the world where U.N military troops are based to maintain peace in specific regions of the world. The Ivory Coast was a former French colony. Unfortunately, in recent years civil war has hurt this beautiful country. The countryside, beaches and people are wonderful. I look forward to spending my winter in a warmer climate than Canada.
Outside of my flying, I also enjoy pleasure travel and simply relaxing with friends. For those of you who want to supplement your education, I have developed an introductory flight attendant course hosted by Confederation College. It would be an excellent supplement to the Tourism and Travel-Adventure and Ecotourism Program.
This is what I have to say about my education at Confederation College:
"I truly believe that anyone interested in a travel career will benefit from taking the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism Program at Confederation College. The program provides an understanding about the many options in the travel industry. This enables the students to make their own career choice once they graduate.
As well, the information provided by your instructors will give you a competitive advantage if you decide write the CITC exam. The CTC designation is an industry-recognized certification.
Remember that in order to achieve your goals you have to be willing to work for them and believe in yourself. This could mean working for a smaller company at a lower rate of pay to gain more knowledge and experience. Persistence is the key. If you believe in yourself, you will show more confidence during your interview. Never quit trying. Explore the world!"
Dreams can come true through hard work and dedication. If only those fish out of Pickle Lake could see me now!!
Good luck,
Jim Kozik
Vanessa Stirrett - Brewster/Columbia Icefield
I enrolled in the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism program because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. A huge part of enrolling was because there was an international field trip involved upon the completion of the program.
I packed up my bags to head east to Thunder Bay, ON. I'm originally from T-Bay but moved to Alberta when I was very young and had lived there most of my life.
As soon as classes started I was very impressed by all the teachers' knowledge and experience they had in the industry. The time came for us to choose a "co-op" Many of us were frustrated with the whole idea, but after searching and searching I found a position in my parent's home town that was perfect for me. I was a travel counselor for 4 months and enjoyed it. The new year started and decided that being a travel counselor wasn't something that I wanted to do all my life.
The second year of college only got better, because I got really involved in what I was learning and became much closer to my classmates. We had many classes to broaden our minds such as geography and aboriginal studies. As well,we got to go to West Jet to be a "West Jitter" for the day. I even got a goldfish!!
"...a life altering experience for me"
Soon time came for our class trip to Costa Rica. This was a life altering experience for me, because I hadn't travelled anywhere, so this was an amazing experience. The most significant part of the trip was learning what direction my career was headed into. I'm still not sure of what I want to do, but it is definitely in the Tourism and Travel industry.
I worked at the Columbia Ice fields in Jasper/Banff, Alberta for 5 months right after I graduated. I started out as a ticket agent but ended up as an Ice Explorer Driver. This gave me a lot of opportunity and more money. I am now headed to Australia with Russell Lee for 5 months, who I met in the T and T program. There are many more travels to come!
If it were not for the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism program and its' teachers, I would not be where I am today!
Thanks!!!
Russell Lee - Brewster/Columbia Icefield
I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school, however I did know that I wanted to travel so when thinking about college the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism program came to mind. I enrolled and I am glad I did. The class size was pretty small so we received much more personal attention in our classes.Also having small classes you become close with everyone in the program.
There are lots of cool field trips as well which made the experience that much more. (The international field trip was amazing it was an experience like no other). So after graduating, I got a job at the Columbia ice field in Alberta. At first I was in guest services (like a bellboy, with the hotel) but I soon moved up to driving a shuttle bus. By the end of the summer I was driving snow coaches onto a glacier while giving tours to hundreds of people a day.
"It was great experience."
Now my plans 1 year after graduating are to go to Australia for 4-5 months and travel around. Then the plan after that is to come back to Alberta and work at the ice field to work for 6 months and then spend the rest of my time traveling around the world.
I feel that the Tourism & Travel - Adventure & Ecotourism program helped me to get where I am today. It was great experience. It wasn't the in-class assignments that had a big impact on me; it was the out of class assignments where most of the learning was done. They taught me a lot and really helped me obtain skills for the world that I plan to see!
Bronwyn Anderson - WestJet
I started my career as a Customer Service Agent at Bearskin Airlines following my graduation in 2000.
The Tourism & Travel Program at Confederation College opened the doors for me to enter my chosen field, the travel industry.
I was able to gain a great deal of experience and knowledge about the airline business at Bearskin.In June 2002, I was accepted as a Customer Service Agent at Westjet, and took an intensive training course in Calgary. Westjet is a great company to work for. They really care about their employees. I truly love my job there. As well, I am very fortunate to be starting to work part-time, at Superior Travel, to learn more about being a travel agent.
Thank you Confederation College and my wonderful, inspiring teachers for helping me achieve my goal of having a career in the travel industry.
Agnes Filipek - WestJet
I am called Agnes. I graduated from Confederation College with a Tourism & Travel diploma in the year 2000. It was an exciting course that taught me a variety of studies within the travel industry. Right after graduation, I started working at the Thunder Bay International Airport as a Commissionaire.
My job position was as an AIF COLLECTOR (Airport Improvement Fee). Within the year and after a great experience with working with the public, I was lucky to join the WestJet family .Working for an airline has always been my dream and I strongly believe that by taking the Tourism & Travel Program, it made my dream come true.
FOLLOW YOUR DREAM.
Jocelyn Jewett - WestJet
I graduated from the Travel and Tourism Program at Confederation College, I was employed as a Junior Travel Counselor for the Ministry of Tourism and as a part time Passenger Service Agent at Bearskin Airlines. I was then offered a full time Travel Counselor position with the Northern Tourism Marketing Company, before being offered the career of a lifetime with Westjet.
I have now been employed as a Customer Service Agent with Westjet (one of Canada's Top 100 employers) for 10 months, and have loved every minute of it. The Tourism and Travel Program helped with my career path by offering me the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the Tourism field. Fares and Ticketing, Computer Reservation Systems and Travel Geography are only some of the programs that have assisted me along the way. Thank You Confederation College, particularly Giannina Veltri and Rod Coates for helping me become the person I am today!!
Aki Ewacha - Air Canada
I came from Japan to Confederation College in 1992 so that I could learn English. I stayed for one-and-a-half years. During my stay I took E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) and some courses in Tourism and Travel. I completed ESL in 1994 along with some more Tourism and Travel courses. After completing ESL, I went home to Japan until I returned in 1997. Before I came to Canada in 1992 I was already working in an airline company and also a travel agency. My main goal was to learn English because it is important to speak English while working in the travel industry.
The Tourism and Travel program was an invaluable source of education in guiding me to achieve my lifelong goal as a flight attendant. The main courses that helped me were Travel Geography, Fares and Ticketing, Computer Reservations Systems, Travel Agency Sales, and Travel Agency Operations. Finally, an extremely helpful course was Field Placements. My first placement was at the Thunder Bay Airport where I worked in customer service. I helped customers with baggage, information, directions, and with any other concerns travelers may have had. My second placement was with Japan Airlines in Vancouver. While at JAL, I worked in administration and booked group tours.
While I was at Confederation College, the faculty were extremely helpful. They made my learning experience enjoyable and educational at the same time. I could not have done it without them. They are great!!
Presently I work for Air Canada as a flight attendant. I have been a flight attendant since September, 2000. I was persistent with my education in order to achieve this position at Air Canada. It has been my life-long dream.
My experience at the college was an enjoyable one. If anyone is thinking of taking any course related to travel, they should choose Tourism and Travel.
1450 Nakina Drive, P.O. Box 398, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7C 4W1 [ 
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