CHARLOTTE:
Excuse me, Dr Twain. May I speak with you for a minute?
DR TWAIN:
Of course, please come in.
CHARLOTTE:
I’m Charlotte York. I’m considering taking your course in Tourism.
DR TWAIN:
Right. Well, Charlotte, how can I help you?
CHARLOTTE:
Would you mind answering some of my questions?
DR TWAIN:
Absolutely, fire away!
CHARLOTTE:
Well I have been discussing courses with my parents and they are concerned that I will not be able to get a well-paid job with a degree in Tourism.
CHARLOTTE:
The reason that I want to study the course is that I have a great interest in the subject and I think I would really enjoy it.
CHARLOTTE:
I believe the only way that I will enjoy my life is if I enjoy my career.
CHARLOTTE:
Happiness is far more important than money, don’t you think?
DR TWAIN:
Absolutely. I would much rather be happy and poor rather than rich and miserable. Money cannot buy you happiness.
CHARLOTTE:
I’m glad you agree.
DR TWAIN:
You needn’t worry about money, Charlotte.
DR TWAIN:
A large part of the Tourism course is dedicated to teaching students how to manage finances, a skill that you can apply to your everyday life as well.
DR TWAIN:
I would also recommend that you take a sideline course in time management, as this can be incredibly useful in efficiently planning your workload. Efficiency is the key to success!
CHARLOTTE:
I’ll remember that.
DR TWAIN:
Now I have found that some students have natural talents that really help them to succeed in the course.
DR TWAIN:
Communication skills, for example, can be very beneficial. Do you have any strengths?
CHARLOTTE:
Maths was always my favourite subject at school so I really enjoy solving mathematical problems, however I find statistics quite difficult.
CHARLOTTE:
I have always been very capable and selfsufficient.
CHARLOTTE:
I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and will take the initiative in situations without needing to depend on anyone else for their help.
DR TWAIN:
That’s a really great quality to have and will be particularly useful if you choose to study Tourism.
DR TWAIN:
I would recommend that you spend some of your time researching the course.
DR TWAIN:
A lot of people who are uneducated on the subject claim that Tourism is a shrinking industry and that it will become irrelevant in the future.
DR TWAIN:
If you study the published research however, you will see that the truth is quite the opposite.
DR TWAIN:
The industry has, in fact, grown significantly as people have developed an ever-increasing interest in culture and travel.
DR TWAIN:
Have you compared the university course with a polytechnic?
CHARLOTTE:
Yes, I have. I was interested in studying the course in modules.
CHARLOTTE:
However, the university doesn’t offer that option.
CHARLOTTE:
Don’t have enough funds to be able to attend an expensive university, so I was relieved to see that the course is quite affordable.
CHARLOTTE:
I also considered attending a summer school instead of university to save money and so that I could work during the rest of the year, but I really wanted the university experience.
DR TWAIN:
I think that university would suit you well.
DR TWAIN:
Now, what about the courses? Are you interested in any of the other subjects on offer?
MELANIE:
I have looked at a few. I was interested in Travel and Business as it sounds similar to Tourism.
DR TWAIN:
That is really worth learning, Q26 however, be aware that it is difficult and will demand a lot of your time.
MELANIE:
OK, that’s good to know.
DR TWAIN:
You might find that an interesting course and it will teach Japanese is you valuable skills in speaking the language.
DR TWAIN:
Personally, it’s not bad and could be of some help, but not that much.
MELANIE:
OK, Japanese, got that.. .What about Medical Care?
DR TWAIN:
Well, if you have time, the course will teach you a lot about curing diseases and illnesses, or dealing with injuries outside, although it’s not essential.
CHARLOTTE:
So, OK, if it’s useful, I’ll take it.
DR TWAIN:
If you enjoy using technology and are worried about fulfilling the entry requirements, computing is very relaxed about the skills that applicants must possess.
CHARLOTTE:
I’m terrible with computers so I’m not sure that I would enjoy that course. How about Public Relations?
DR TWAIN:
Yes, I would recommend that course.
DR TWAIN:
It would be related to entering the Tourism industry as it will educate you on how to approach clients and develop associations with them.
CHARLOTTE:
That’s great! Thank you so much for your help!