Travel and Tourism Student Turns Passion into Career Success

Dedicated Travel and Tourism student Lilliya is proving how hands-on learning and industry experience can open doors to exciting careers in the travel sector.

Currently in the second year of her Level 3 Travel and Tourism course, Lilliya began her journey at Grantham College in 2022. Since then, she has grown both personally and professionally. “This course has brought out the inner voice in me and made me more confident,” she says. A standout moment in her studies was a work placement in Rimini, Italy, in June 2023, where she gained valuable international experience. “I worked in a hotel—it was amazing to live and work in a different country. Rimini was beautiful. We visited San Marino, spent time at the beach, and enjoyed some incredible Italian food.

Thanks to the practical learning experiences built into the curriculum, Lilliya secured a position as a trainee travel consultant at Carrick Travel in Grantham town centre. “The opportunity to go on work experience directly helped me get this job,” she explains. The support of her tutors has played a major role in her success. “Renee, Lecturer in Travel & Tourism, has been really encouraging and helped me achieve higher grades. Jamie introduced the cabin crew pathway and shared his own experience with British Airways, which was inspiring.” In addition to academic learning, she credits role-play activities and classroom discussions for preparing her for real-world customer service scenarios. “I’ve been able to share my experiences and use them to support others in the class.”

Now working at Carrick Travel and looking forward to the future, Lilliya is enthusiastic about where the travel industry will take her. “I’m really happy in my job. The people I work with are so supportive, and I love meeting new people in the industry—it’s already helping me build my career.”

When asked what advice she would give to future students, she says: “If you’re passionate about travel—or even if you’ve never considered it—just go for it. You never know where it might take you.”

Learn more about Travel and Tourism courses at Grantham College here: Travel and Tourism – Grantham College

Share!