Graduate Story

“I was fortunate enough to receive the SixStar Scholarship for my studies at Queenstown Resort College (QRC) from 2022–2024.“

“The reason I chose to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism is because I am very people-driven and love meeting individuals from many different places. I chose to study at QRC not only because it is such a beautiful town, but also because it is the heart of hospitality and tourism, where many opportunities arise.

I came across the SixStar Scholarship through the staff at QRC. It is an amazing trust that helps students like me pursue our careers at an early age. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it, and I am truly grateful.

My internship took place at AJ Hackett Bungy. My first role was Café Supervisor, where I essentially ran the café on my own. I loved the adventure tourism side of bungy, so I moved into a hosting role. In this position, I would take groups who were bungy jumping out to the bridge, harness them up, and talk to them about their experience afterwards. I loved this side of the job, as I got to see people face their fears in such a thrilling environment.

I completed my nine-month internship there and continued working for another year afterwards. The most important takeaway from my time at bungy was facing my own fear by finally doing a bungy jump myself after helping so many others do it. Often, you have a voice in your head telling you that you can’t do things in life, when in reality, you just need to face your fears and take the leap.

After leaving Queenstown in 2024, I travelled with the close friends I made at QRC for a few months before moving back home to Auckland to be closer to my family. I now work at Suburbs Rugby Club as the Club Manager and Booking/Events Coordinator (the photo is of me and my dad, who coaches a senior team at the club). I wouldn’t have been able to secure this role without my Diploma in Hospitality and the experience I gained in Queenstown.

QRC helped prepare me for this role by teaching me accounting, marketing, wine and food pairing, and much more. Without this knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to excel in my current position. The SixStar Scholarship has also given me the confidence to explore different opportunities and find where I truly want to be.

Although I have a great job in the hospitality industry, being around my older siblings as they start families has inspired me to return to study. I am now in my second year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery. I am currently pursuing both of my passions: hospitality and caring for women throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journeys.

My plans for the future are to complete my current studies and move back to Queenstown to continue my passions in both hospitality and healthcare. Living in Queenstown again is a goal of mine, as I have so much love for the town and the people in it.

My advice to anyone considering applying for the SixStar Scholarship is simple: just do it. I didn’t think I had a chance either, but you have to take that leap and apply. You could find yourself in a place where going to work doesn’t even feel like work. A career in hospitality and tourism is incredibly rewarding, and anyone who has studied at QRC would likely say the same.”