Fleming College

Even though Kyle McKellar (right) just graduated from Fleming’s Recreation and Leisure Services program this year, he has already returned to the Sutherland Campus… but not as a student. Kyle was on campus yesterday representing Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, where he works on contract full-time, at the Explore Tourism and Hospitality Career Expo.

The Expo is a partnership between Regional Tourism Organization 8 and Fleming College to highlight the great career opportunities within the tourism and hospitality industry. Community partners, like Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, had booths in the main foyer to speak with Fleming students, high school students, and guidance counsellors about their organization or business.

“I attended the Expo last year and met Jaimie at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas display,” said Kyle about his co-worker Jaimie Judge, who graduated from Fleming’s Tourism and Travel program in 2013. That initial meeting led to an internship at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism for his program placement, which led to his current employment.

“I wouldn’t have thought Tourism was under Recreation and Leisure, but I found this opportunity by attending the Expo,” he said. “I would tell current students to go to events like this to find out about the industry and what’s out there. Placements are a great opportunity to learn, and when you get hired you are prepared.”

Jaimie agrees. In addition to treating the Placement like a professional opportunity, she recommends students treat school the same.

“College is a professional opportunity, which includes networking. You never know where the relationships you form in school will lead,” said Jaimie. “Your teachers can even help you find your future employment. If I didn’t talk to my program coordinator Patti Watson about my career goals, I would have never found my job. She told me that working in the Visitor’s Centre would be a great experience, and that has led me to my current position.”