This was the advice for travel and tourism students at WTM London on Thursday (6 November) as ITT’s Future You event returned to to the event for its 15th year with an entertaining keynote and panel session featuring four industry representatives – all below the age of 30.

The aim was to provide careers advice and mentoring to travel and tourism students, with the need for persistence and passion emerging as a common theme.

The panel, moderated by Travel Nomads founder Danny Waine, featured Hubby eSim founder Boris Bijlstra; Marella Cruises trade relations manager Jessica Garner; Black Diamond travel trade account executive Harneet Singh Sachdev; and University of Surrey undergrad Gabriella Hayward, who is currently on her placement year with Sanderson Phillips.

Hayward explained how her lecture programme had piqued her interest in a niche area of the industry, crisis management, but that she struggled to find a placement because of that, despite sending out hundreds of applications.

"It’s scary, putting yourself out there and advocating for yourself,” she said. “When you’re told to manage your expectations, I think it helps to be driven and ambitious, to get you where you need to be.”

'You have to push those doors open'

Singh Sachdev revealed he had also faced a lot of rejection when trying to break into the travel industry, highlighting the fact he needed an employer to sponsor his visa as an additional stumbling block.

“Networking helped me, and staying active on social media too,” he said. “The industry is open [for new talent] but you have to go outside and show up.”
He also believes there is growing understanding among employers that hiring a more diverse workforce can help a business to flourish.

Garner raised a different barrier to entry, that of following the apprentice route into the workplace, when her peers were choosing the more conventional career path that starts with college and university.

“It was a struggle stepping into the world of work while my friends were taking a different route,” she said. “But throwing myself into that, I grew in confidence, and I don’t think I would have got to where I am now had I gone down that college or uni route.”  

Bijlstra offered the entrepreneur’s perspective, highlighting the challenges inherent in making a name for yourself when you don’t have a profile – he achieved this with Hubby eSim by signing technology deals with a range of tour operators, online travel agencies and airlines.

“It is difficult getting people to listen to you,” he said. “You have to be bold as an entrepreneur, push those doors open and learn what makes top executives tick.

“Turn your curiosity into what’s important for the industry,” he continued. “Ask the industry, what do you want, how can I build it for you. Then be persistent, keep showing up, and credibility will follow.”

'Your career will not be a checklist'

Earlier in the morning, Skift's Kate Irwin kicked things off with a lively keynote – and kept her cool when a very typical WTM interruption of Indian drumming from a nearby stand threatened to drown her out.

Inspired by her teenage son, who advised her: “Mum, don’t talk about how much you love your job, that’s boring,” she gave a "10 things I hate about you"-style presentation, encouraging delegates to make mistakes and fail loudly.

“When you boldly own that space [when you’ve made a mistake], it takes away the shame and allows you to move forward.”

She also advised hard graft and making omissions: “I’m not encouraging you to lie here,” she said. “But it’s OK to withhold information and learn on the job – holding back your cards, a bit like poker, can suit you well.”


Irwin also urged curiosity, and being persistent with that, even when you meet resistance. “Being curious is an opportunity to gather knowledge and insight and that will define you,” she said.

She dismantled some well-used cliches: “My nan used to say, a quitter never wins, and a winner never quits. But that’s fiction. As much as we should say yes to things, we should also say no."

Irwin revealed she left a well-paid job for an interim waitressing role, because that job had her dreading Monday mornings. "I knew there was something bigger and better out there for me," she said.

Valuing human connection, and finding the humour in life, were her final pieces of advice.

"All my opportunities came from connections with people," she added, while cautioning against putting pressure on yourself to succeed.

“Your career will not be a checklist. It’s a story, a really messy story – and the fun, unplanned chapters will be the best.”