As this year’s crop of Baxter Student Ambassadors and tourism students from across the country gear up to join the travel industry, Travel Courier caught up with travel pros to hear their words of wisdom for new grads, insights they wish they knew when they first graduated and some of the coolest career opportunities students may not even know about yet.
Bruce Poon Tip, Founder, G Adventures
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first graduated?
That you can teach and learn almost anything. What you can’t teach is work ethic, attitude, culture and commitment. These are the things that will define you and your individual success. When it comes to leadership, these qualities will be integral to building teams and attracting and retaining the best people.
What’s your top words of wisdom and advice for the next generation of the travel industry?
Never forget your ‘Why’. It will guide you through your entire career. Also, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. You’ll need that passion to work in travel – nobody gets into the travel industry to get rich! We follow our passion into travel because we want to show people the world and help them to understand the power of travel. By learning and understanding how other people live and connecting with other cultures, travel has the potential to create the fastest path to peace. It provides us with a greater appreciation of where we come from and our place in the world.
What’s the most interesting job in the travel industry that students may not even know about?
I think content creation, digital marketing and analytics are really interesting roles within the industry right now, and definitely ones to watch. Students may dream of a job that allows them to travel to incredible places, creating beautiful content, but there’s a lot of strategic thinking that goes on behind the scenes to bring that content to life and to help it perform. It’s a really exciting part of marketing and one that isn’t always considered as a career path initially.
Patricia Di Benedetto, Business relationship lead for national and key accounts in Canada, Explora Journeys
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first graduated?
I wish I had known that relationships are everything in the travel industry. Success isn’t just about knowing destinations or mastering sales techniques, it’s about building strong, genuine connections with colleagues, clients, and industry partners. The opportunities that come from these relationships are invaluable and can shape your entire career.
What’s your top words of wisdom and advice for the next generation of the travel industry?
Stay adaptable and open to change. The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, trends, and challenges shaping the way people explore the world. Those who succeed are the ones who embrace innovation, continue learning, and never lose sight of the power of personalized service.
Focus on the bigger picture and embrace the joy of working in a field where you’re crafting unforgettable memories for your clients. Every journey you create becomes a story they’ll cherish for a lifetime.
What’s the most interesting job in the travel industry that students may not even know about?
Luxury travel consulting is an exciting niche that many students overlook. It goes beyond traditional travel planning, it’s about curating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, anticipating clients’ unspoken needs, and delivering impeccable service. It’s a role that blends creativity, hospitality, and business strategy while offering the chance to explore the world.
Erminia Gallina, Director of sales, Air Canada Vacations
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first graduated?
When I first graduated, I thought my options were limited but the travel industry is full of opportunities. Over the years, I’ve come to realize just how many exciting avenues this field has to offer. From airlines and tour operators to travel advisors, hotels, cruise lines, and more, the opportunities are endless. Whether your interest lies in sales, marketing, operations, revenue management, or beyond, the travel industry is dynamic, fast-paced, and full of growth potential. The key? Just get started. Once you’re in, you’ll see how many incredible paths start to unfold!
What’s your top words of wisdom and advice for the next generation of the travel industry?
“Love what you do” might sound cliché, but after more than 20 years in the industry, I can honestly say, it’s everything. When you love what you do, it never really feels like work. But success isn’t just about climbing the ladder; it’s about being part of something meaningful.
Build teams you can trust. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Create a work environment that brings out the best in everyone, and remember, you don’t need a management title to lead in that way. And don’t be afraid to blend your personal passions with your career. For me, that’s what’s made my journey so fulfilling. Working in travel means I get to connect with people, build relationships, and share experiences, it’s more than just a 9-to-5. It’s a lifestyle that brings joy and purpose to every day.
What’s the most interesting job in the travel industry that students may not even know about?
Okay, I might be a little biased here, but I have to say, working in Sales at Air Canada Vacations is such an exciting and rewarding role. We get to represent and sell every aspect of travel to some truly amazing travel advisor partners, and it’s an incredibly fulfilling gig. That said, one area that’s always fascinated me is Airline Economics. Most people don’t realize how intricate and strategic it is. From planning flight networks and aircraft positioning to optimizing seat sales, there’s so much science and precision behind the scenes. It’s about crafting a seamless travel experience on a massive scale, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
Carolyn Ray, CEO and editor, JourneyWoman
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first graduated?
I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and then did two years of community college, along with a lot of volunteer work, to learn my craft. My first job was a contract in the publishing industry, so I became self-employed right out of school. I was fortunate to have a fabulous female boss who mentored me and took time to answer all of my questions. If you’re joining a company, my best advice is not only to look at the job description but ask specifically who will be mentoring you – who is invested in and cares about your success? If you’re working freelance, find mentors you can talk to. Even now, I have an advisory council of women I rely on at JourneyWoman to help me make strategic decisions. I can’t imagine where I’d be without strong mentors and coaches in my career.
What’s your top words of wisdom and advice for the next generation of the travel industry?
I am an advocate of women being paid well, but money is never a reason to take a job. I’ve always had a philosophy of following my heart and intuition, knowing that the money will follow. I ignored that once and ended up in a job where I was miserable. But you have to know your worth and how to ask for it. Don’t expect it to just happen – those days are long gone. And be ready to leave if it isn’t what you want. I’ve left at least three jobs because I felt there was a values misalignment. Life goes on – you will find your people.
Don’t buy into the myths, like ‘it can’t be done’, ‘follow the rules’, ‘we don’t do it that way’, or ‘what will everyone think’. At age 50, I sold my house, car and all my possessions to travel full-time (people said I was crazy, where will you live?), reinvented myself in a new career (what do you know about websites?), and figured out how to create a business that is unique in the industry. I have made my own rules and am loving every minute of it! You are the CEO of your own life. Period.
What’s the most interesting job in the travel industry that students may not even know about?
With only six years of experience, I’m fairly new to the travel industry, but I think the most interesting job is the one that you create for yourself. Find ways to align your interests with what you enjoy the most, and you’ll be successful. At JourneyWoman, I’ve been able to pair my love of writing and women’s empowerment with branding, consulting and research skills from my 25-year career that preceded this. I’m now finding a lot of joy in helping the industry adapt to the needs of older women in travel. When you love what you do, every day is fulfilling.
