Meet Aminah

ASHLEY ROCHEFORT

A GRADUATE OF RYERSON UNIVERSITY’S HOSPITALITY & TOURISM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, last May she was named one of six winners of the Baxter Student Ambassador Program, the only travel and tourism student mentoring program of its kind in Canada. After the program concluded and the school year ended, Aminah didn’t waste any time before landing her dream job in travel as a Sales Consultant for one of Canada’s best-known youth adventure travel brands, Contiki Holidays. Now, just six months into her first professional foray, she’s talking to Travel Courier about what she’s learned so far and what’s in store for the future.

TRAVEL COURIER: What does a typical day at the office look like for you?
AMINAH HAUSERMAN: I promote the Contiki brand and trips we offer across 50 countries and six continents through participating in campus invasions, following up on written passenger feedback, and communicating directly with clients to match the best travel experiences for them.

TC: What’s the best part about working at Contiki?
AH: Contiki exemplifies what it is to be young at heart and travel with no regrets. I enjoy coming to work every day and being part of a culture that I genuinely believe in.

Aminah Hauserman

TC: What has surprised you the most about the transition from academics to professionalism?
AH: How much of an input you have in the work process! In school, we’re taught what to say and which best practices to review. But here, I definitely feel that my voice is heard and counts for something.

TC: How will this work experience shape your career?
AH: This experience is giving me an understanding of the fundamental operations of travel and how it is sold. I’m interested in Destination Marketing and Development, so being at the source of how destinations are packaged and sold show me how destinations should manage themselves to ensure they are included in the sale.

TC: We’ve just launched this year’s Baxter Student Ambassador Program. Any advice for the new group of BSAP contenders?
AH: Make connections. Travel is an industry of people; understand people and what they do and how they work in the web of travel.

Amazing opportunities for travel, learning, and networking await the winning Baxter Student Ambassadors, one from each of this year’s 16 participating schools across Canada, thanks to our sponsors Collette, Contiki, IGTO, Niagara Helicopters, TPI, Transat, WestJet, Travel Courier, ACTA, Skål Canada, Big Bark Graphics, and Chelsea Hotel Toronto.

This year, winning Ambassadors will also get to choose from a list of once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunities at partner organizations like Contiki, Collette, TPI, and more, where they will gain hands-on experience as they begin their careers in the exciting field of travel. Visit BaxterAmbassadors.com for the latest program updates.

DO YOU HAVE AN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR A BAXTER AMBASSADOR? SEND A NOTE TO BSAP PROGRAM DIRECTOR, WENDY MCCLUNG,
AT [email protected] TO DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

Baxter Student Ambassador Program: www.baxterambassadors.com