Adventure, risk, fun and excitement - graduates who work in the travel and tourism industries get paid to do what they love.
If you feel most at home with a snowboard attached to your feet, then why not follow winters around the world as a snowboard instructor? If pumping iron in a gym all day appeals, then you could train to be a fitness instructor.
Or if you have a knack for organizing others, why not get paid to do it as a travel agent or resort representative?
These industries are all about people, hospitality and customer service - with plenty of fun, adventure and challenges thrown in.
To be successful in a leisure and tourism role, you'll need to be an outgoing, adventurous person who enjoys spending time with others, working towards goals, and is not afraid to take risks. You'll be organized, passionate, tolerant, able to think on your feet, and get a kick out of making sure others are having a good time.
There are a wide range of courses available at top universities for those interested in embarking on a career in leisure and tourism.
The type of undergraduate degree you choose will mainly depend on your interests. You could choose to focus on the marketing side of leisure and tourism, the organizational or management aspects, or the more practical side - where you get to spend more time outside of the office!
More niche areas of study could include countryside conservation or arts and cultural heritage. Many leisure and tourism degrees will also offer the opportunity to study a modern language - a definite asset for those working in this sector.
The leisure industry encompasses careers based in indoor leisure centres such as fitness instructors, managers or lifeguards.
It also includes careers in the outdoor arena such as sports instructors, players and coaches, and roles in entertainment - basically, anything that people do in their leisure time.
The tourism industry is, in general, slightly more adventurous. Think white water rafting, hiking, cross-country skiing, or skydiving.
But it too has its relaxing side. If a beach holiday appeals, chances are your travel agent, cabin crew, hotel concierge and tour guide have all studied an undergraduate degree in tourism.
However, the industries are competitive and it is important to look for as many opportunities as possible for work experience while you study. Having contacts and experience in the industry could be just as important as good grades when it comes to job hunting.
You should also bear in mind that many jobs in these industries require irregular working hours, and may be significantly affected by seasonal variation.
As well as giving you the specialist knowledge needed for work in a particular part of the leisure and tourism industry, a degree in these subjects should also provide the following transferable skills:
• Professional communication, spoken and written
• General IT skills
• Self-management, including planning and meeting deadlines
• Team work
• Flexibility and use of initiative
• Problem solving
• Organization and forward planning
• Specialist knowledge of particular industry/location/language
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