A world of opportunity where variety is always on the menu!
Tourism is a profession that draws in talent from every walk of life. It is super social, offers career progression, on the job learning, travel and a skillset that is transferrable to any sector.
From project managers and logistical experts that make the service feel seamless to culinary whizzes, story tellers and those selling Ireland as a destination to visit, the skillsets accrued are utterly transferrable lifelong skills to equip you for a successful career, training you to equally adapt to other sectors.
Matthew Smith is in sales and marketing as corporate and incentive support at Dublin Convention Bureau (DCB). 'He loves the travel opportunities that come with his profession'. “It’s not your regular desk job,” he says. Just eight months into this new role and he’s already journeyed to seven cities, including New York, Las Vegas, Istanbul, Vienna, and Hamburg.
Travel also presents opportunities to network and meet people he may one day work with. He represents Dublin and Ireland at events and has also built new friendship networks through these. It feels less like work and more like socialising, he explains. He's happy to fly the flag, as he puts it, in a role that positions him as an ambassador for Ireland.
Declan Murphy moved into tourism from the construction sector in 2008 when he lost his job as a result of the property crash. It was never meant to be a long-term thing, says the commercial executive, in charge of operations at DoDublin, the commercial department of Dublin Bus.
Within a few months, career opportunities presented themselves. He became a mentor, doing a Level 6 course in frontline management at the National College of Ireland; and a driving instructor, another Level 6 course with Dublin Bus. Already the tour guides were encouraging his keen interest in history. “I didn’t even have the job and already they were helping and pointing me in the right direction.”
Karen Fleming, director of sales, Cashel Palace Hotel oversees one of the country’s most stylish new five-star properties. It’s a people-oriented profession, she says. “It is a hugely human-driven industry and one that makes people feel welcome and happy.”
She is a big believer in being able to continue education while working and is a self-professed eternal student. Her employer facilitated her continuing to learn on the job, through a master’s in management and marketing, at Cork University Business School. Fleming was awarded a scholarship through the 30% Club. It is busy, she says. “I cannot tell you the last time I was bored".
Think you have what it takes? For further information on the wide range of professional opportunities visit tourismcareers.ie.