Tourism students wing it Qantas
Published on 26 March, 2003
Careers, Counselling and Health and Central Queensland University students are enjoying the success of the new CQU Work Experience Program that was introduced in 2002.
CQU second year Bachelor of Business (Tourism) student Britt Larosa completed a week of work experience with Qantas at their Brisbane base, organised through the program for the January break.
Miss Larosa enjoyed putting her tourism skills to the test, describing the experience as a taste of full-time work in the customer service industry.
"One of the highlights was a flight to Newcastle for the day and the fact that Qantas paid for our flight expenses for the week," Miss Larosa said.
"I would definitely do [something like] iagain.... so I can keep my experiences varied.
"During my week, I had the opportunity to learn about the Qantas booking and customer service procedures on a day-to-day basis and also design and implement a survey that accurately represented customer feelings.
She was encouraged by her Tourism Lecturer Jillian Lister to enquire about the CQU Work Experience Program which is coordinated by Katrina Schipper, CQU's Careers Adviser.
Careers, Counselling & Health tested the program in 2002 and due to its success employed Katrina as the 2003 Coordinator.
"I am actually a product of the Program, I have gained this position from my 2002 involvement," Ms Schipper said.
As well as gaining new skills, students also have the opportunity to take on 'real world' research projects as part of the program.
"Research projects can be selected from four different CQU Divisions - Careers, Counselling & Health, Division of Teaching & Learning Services, Staff & Student Services and the Library," she said.
"A commitment of four hours per week is all that is required and students are on their way to getting their foot in the door to employment opportunities," said Ms Schipper.
A total of six students participated in the Qantas January 2003 work experience program.
"We have the capacity to take on up to 12 students each year with work experience placements on offer for business, IT and psychology students," said Ms Schipper.