Andrea Hinck, the Manager and Industry Trainer at go2HR, British Columbia’s tourism industry human resource association chatted to us giving us some insight into the importance of finding work you enjoy and the best ways to do this!
It can be challenging to make the most of life when so much of our time is spent working. Resort towns can be especially tough with the higher costs associated with living and the constant reminder of the fun so close by. The sad reality is that most people don’t love their work. Many people like it, but there is a very small number of lucky people who find work they love that also supports the lifestyle they want to have. So how do you find a job you enjoy?
With British Columbia’s tourism industry booming, it has created a lot of avenues for new and exciting careers. Andrea explained that there are more than 19,000 tourism-related businesses in BC. “In 2016 BC’s tourism industry generated $17 billion in revenues, which means there are approximately 291,000 jobs in tourism-related businesses, 133,100 of which are directly supported by visitor spending”.
“Whether you choose to work indoors or in the wilderness, behind a desk or in front of people – the tourism industry is full of opportunities and possibilities. Much like any other industry, pursuing training and ongoing professional development helps you find a tourism job and advance your career in the tourism industry.” – Andrea Hinck
Once you identify a career you are interested in, there are many ways to make it a reality. Andrea explains how “completing a certificate, diploma or degree in a relevant program provides you with technical knowledge in your field and management level skills to prepare you for career opportunities in more senior positions”. While completing a certification may not be mandatory, “it does show an employer that a candidate is more serious about an occupation, and enhances their chances of standing out amongst all other applicants” explains Andrea.
The Whistler Adventure School offers a variety of certificate programs that range from one year to six months in length that specialize in this market. The six month guiding programs have had huge success with students now chasing their passions in and around the mountains of the world. The guiding programs include ski/snowboard, bike, rock climbing, and alpine.
On the industry side of things the marketing and media manager program continues to have success as it combines everything from photo and video editing to market strategy courses. The co-op opportunities provided by the school provides the experience needed to launch a career in the field. The retail and manufacturing program is one of a kind and creates opportunities for students to be successful in small businesses or in manufacturing start ups. Product design, sales, and customer service skills help students create a niche for themselves in the industry. This ranges from bike mechanic courses to boot fitting, creating a snowboard or skis from scratch, as well as other practical exciting courses that are rarely offered in the Sea to Sky area.
Check out the website https://www.go2hr.ca/ for more information and inspiration to get you into a career you enjoy!
