Get a Step Ahead: Student-Professional Networking Session

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011, 15:30 - 17:30, Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Session Description

This session features hands-on discussions that connect industry leaders working in the fields of ecotourism and sustainable tourism with students – aspiring tourism professionals and future leaders of the industry. This session is open to public (free).

Facilitators:

• Dr. Kelly Bricker, Chair, TIES Board of Directors, Associate Professor, University of Utah
• Dr. Bill Hendricks, Professor and Head, Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration Department, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Industry Experts:

• Frances Figart, Writer, Editor, Marketing and Communications Expert
• Robert Chappell, Director of Standards Development, Sustainable Travel International
• Jessica Webb, Manager, Development (Latin America) & Sustainable Tourism Communications, Rainforest Alliance
• Rob Holms, President and Founder, Green Living Project

Target Audience:

• Students and Young Professionals: University and graduate-level students engaged in various tourism and sustainability-related programs.
• Industry Professionals: Tourism industry professionals working in the fields of ecotourism and sustainable tourism and those who would benefit from input from students regarding product development ideas and market trends.

Session Goals

The session aims to create a social and educational environment that helps facilitate connections between industry professionals and students attending the ESTC. The session will encourage participants to exchange relevant information, ideas and support, and to share knowledge of career paths and skill-development opportunities in the fields of ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

The participants in this session, through focused and interactive discussions, will have the unique opportunity to gain valuable insights that will benefit their career paths or professions and to create personal and professional contacts that will foster future communications and outreach efforts.

Themes & Topics

Career Development

• What has led you to pursue a career in ecotourism and sustainable tourism?
• What advice would you give someone just starting in this career/business/major?
• What do you enjoy most about your career?
• What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession since you chose it?
• What trends do you foresee in your career/area of expertise?

Professional Skills

• What professional skills might separate a potential employee from other interviewees?
• What would make someone the ideal employee for your company/organization?
• What piece of knowledge do you find most valuable to success?

Experiential Education

• What is one thing that you would do in your career if you were guaranteed to succeed?
• Did your current job/career path differ from what you expected?
• What have been your biggest challenges throughout your education and/or career?
• How have these challenges prepared you for your current position?
• What would you do differently if you were starting over in your field?

RSVP

If you are not registered for the ESTC 2011, and are interested in this session only, please RSVP by sending an email to Jaclyn Lauver at jlauver[at]ecotourism.org, with the following information: Your name, job title/position, organization, and email address (Subject Line: Student-Professional Networking Session). *RSVP is not required for this session if you are registered for the ESTC 2011.