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20
Leisure & Tourism Degrees
I
f 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 train
to be a fitness instructor. Or if you
have a knack
for organising
others, why not get paid to do it as a travel agent? The leisure and
tourism industries are some of the most diverse industries to work in.
According to Courses Careers UK, 1.75 million people are employed
in 125,000 tourism businesses. 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. Another aspect
to the industry is entertainment: movies, theatres, casinos. In fact,
anything that people do in their ‘leisure time’ falls within the
leisure
industry
.
If you’re a
people person
, then the leisure and tourism industries
are for you: these industries are all about people, hospitality and
customer service. As well as, fun, adventures and challenges.
If you’re
passionate about
the outdoors, different cultures, travel
and entertainment, then the tourism industry is for you. If you enjoy
sports, fitness and keeping a healthy and active lifestyle, then you’ll
be better suited to
a career in the leisure industry. To be successful
in either of these areas, you’ll need to be an
outgoing
, adventurous
person who enjoys spending time with others, working towards
goals, and not afraid to take risks. You’ll be someone who puts the
needs of others first ensuring they are having a good time. You’ll
be organised, passionate and have a tolerance for people, even the
most annoying ones.
Curiosity
Taking a gap year
More and more young people are choosing to take a year out before
heading to university to start their undergraduate studies: gap year can
be a good time to get a foot on the ladder of your future career path.
Depending on what industry or sector you wish to work in there are
very well established internship programs for young people that can
give you a taste of working in that sector. Not only can a year working
help you discern exactly what types of work you do and don’t like, but
often it can expose you to a whole range of career options you never
even knew existed! As university admission places and employment
become increasingly competitive having a productively spent gap year
on your personal statement or CV can be a great way of distinguishing
yourself from the crowd. Not to mention the personal enjoyment and
experiences that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
Adapted from
http://www.topuniversities.com/studying-abroad/gap-
year/what-gap-year
Glossary
Feel most at home
: sentirsi maggiormente a proprio agio
Have a knack
: avere una particolare abilità
Encompasses
: include
Leisure industry
: industria del tempo libero
People person
: persona socievole, che ama stare con altre
persone
Passionate about
: appassionato di
Be better suited to
: essere più portati, più adatti a
Outgoing
: estroverso, espansivo
BA (Bachelor of Arts)
: laurea di primo livello, generalmente
in studi umanistici
Being on the look out for
: essere all’attenta ricerca di
Bear well in mind
: tenere ben a mente
Adventure, risk, fun and excitement
– graduates who work in the
leisure and tourism industries get
paid to do what they love.
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