A career that opens doors and opportunity knocks more than once

'Working in tourism offers you the freedom to progress your profession with opportunities aplenty to climb the career ladder, upskill and socialise. Seasoned practitioners detail how they are thriving.

Simon Walsh started work at Smithwick’s brewery in Kilkenny, collecting glasses in its cellar bar at the age of 15. By making himself indispensable he has risen through the ranks to become operations supervisor and beer specialist at Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny.

I’ve always been valued, says Walsh who studied film at St John’s College, part of Cork College of FET. It was here he learned the craft of storytelling. It helped him frame and script the Masters of Ale guided tour launched at the experience last year. In bringing this tour to life his employer supported him in becoming an accredited beer sommelier with The Beer Academy and is currently in the middle of a sommelier training course with Cicerone certification programme.

He believes his career success has been due to credo, make yourself indispensable. “For me it was great timing. I found my strengths quickly, something that the company fostered and developed if you’ve got a good employer like I’ve got, they recognise that.’’

Mark Glennon, operations manager at Sheraton Athlone Hotel, echoes that sentiment. He started at the hotel, before it had even opened its doors, back in 2008. Straight out of college, having completed a two-year chef course, he worked as a supervisor in its main restaurant. “It’s easy to progress, he says. “Progression means more money; more experience means doors will open up for you very quickly. Within six to eight months, you can be a team leader. Within another six months you could be a supervisor and then you could move to assistant manager level.”

Deirdre O’Sullivan Darcy is the office manager at O’Callaghan Coaches in Killarney, Co Kerry. She started on the front desk and worked on coach holidays, which offer trips across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, for several years. She was promoted to office manager 18 months ago.

Learning on the job is a given, and there is a significant opportunity to develop traversal skills. The project management and logistics skills she has acquired through her role are first class. She says. “There are no problems, only solutions.”

The company recently signed up to Fáilte Ireland Employer’s Excellence programme which puts the employee front and centre via a survey and management training programme.

Smithwick’s brewery in Kilkenny, Sheraton Athlone Hotel and O’Callaghan Coaches in Killarney have all ben recognised as top employers through Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme.

Think you have what it takes? For further information on the wide range of professional opportunities, courses and careers visit tourismcareers.ie.