Cal State Fullerton’s Entertainment and Tourism Club (ETC) held a travel and tourism panel for students on Oct. 18 from 7-9 p.m. in Titan Student Union’s Pavilion A. In order to introduce students to the tourism industry, ETC invited three guest speakers who work in the tourism field to bestow insight to attendees.
The panelists included Kristin Olivieri from The Travel Corporation, Ian Kynor from Contiki and The Travel Corporation and Lorylaine Espinosa from the Hilton.
Among the panelists were two CSUF alum: Olivieri and Espinosa. Olivieri graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in entertainment and tourism, while Espinosa graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications.
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rom left to right) CSUF alum kristin Olivieri, Ian Kynor and CSUF alum Lorylaine Espinosa (Photo Credit: Courtesy of ETC)
As students shuffled in before the panel, they were welcomed with food from Paris Baguette, complimentary of ETC. Attendees could eat and mingle with other students before ETC’s executive board brought the three panelists on stage to begin the question and answer.
Also, from ETC’s executive board, marketing director Margarito Morales moderated the panel and asked the panelists about what a career in the tourism industry entails.
Morales’s first question inquired about the journey of each panelist into the industry. Olivieri attributed her career progression to her skill in customer service. Olivieri insists that getting customers excited about the brand is key to delivering excellent customer service.
When it comes to tourism, a thriving career lies in tailoring the product to the customer by listening to their needs.
Kynor responded similarly when stressing the importance of customer service, saying, “On the service side, it really just starts with listening.”
Being responsive and empathetic to the customer you’re working with can get you far in the tourism industry, considering customer satisfaction plays a significant role with a travel company.
Students listen intently as the speakers give insight on the travel industry (Photo credit: Courtesy of ETC)
According to Kynor, delivering excellent customer satisfaction is knowing “every interaction is the first interaction.”
Remember that while your experiences in tourism are plentiful as an employee, it may be the customer’s first travel experience, and treating each interaction with a fresh attitude can ensure a customer feels cared for.
When discussing her steps into the industry, Espinosa commented that she wishes she had been involved with ETC during her time at CSUF but recognizes the hardships of balancing a full-time job while being a full-time student in 2015.
Espinosa, unfortunately, did not have time for extracurricular clubs and their resources on campus, but she continued working and found her way into the tourism industry by her own means.
The panel portion of the evening lasted around an hour and ended with final pieces of advice for attendees.
Olivieri advised students to be easy on themselves regarding career exploration.
“You’re not running out of time… there’s no timeline,” concluded Olivieri.
Kynor remarked that if you’re passionate about travel, you’re in a great place to start your tourism journey. He also imparted that if you keep networking, you’ll find yourself where you want to be.
“Take time to find out what you really mesh with,” Esinposa commented.
Do not put pressure on where you will be after graduation, and don’t get discouraged when you get passed up on a job. Espinosa reassured attendees that the opportunities are endless if you’re looking for a career in travel.
The travel and tourism panel concluded with an intimate networking session between paid ETC members and the panelists.
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