SMART Choices

A tourism and hospitality degree from the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) opens doors to the tourism industry.

"MDIS sends us for internship to get real work experience." Michelle Sze, 24, Executive Intern (Front Desk, Orchard Hotel, Singapore).

After getting your diploma at a polytechnic, why did you decide To pursue a degree at MDIS? 

I chose to study for a degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management because I love travelling and wanted to do something that I would enjoy. I decided on MDIS after reading a newspaper article which compared students from private schools and local universities. They reported that private school students were also able to find good jobs. What was the curriculum like? It had a mix of theory and practical learning.

The degree course covered the history of tourism and its trends, as well as Strategic Planning for Tourism & Leisure, International Tourism Development and Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Human Resources. As I like history and travelling, my favourite subjects were E-Tourism, Urban Tourism and International Hospitality Management.

Tell us about your experience in Travel and Tourism Work Placement.

MDIS sends us for industry training to get real work experience. We would do on-site surveys to learn and understand the industry better. I did my internship at Chan Brothers Travel from January to July 2012.After my stint, I learnt that it was not just about booking tours! The job of a travel consultant also includes planning tours and flights that best suit the customers and following upon insurance claims. Now I'm able to plan my holidays better!

What did you enjoy most about your stint at in the travel agency?
A sense of fulfilment. My customers sent me photos of their trips and also words of appreciation. 

How did you apply your classroom skills to your workplace?Though a lot of what we learnt inschool was theory, we did on-sitesurveys and projects to study tourismtrends. I am now better able toanticipate guests’ needs and wants.

Any advice for potential students?

Study something you like. I found that liking the subject made me enjoy my Tourism course more.

AT A GLANCE

The MDIS School of Tourism and Hospitality offers diploma and honours degree programmes for full-time and part-time students,including:

• Bachelor of Science (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management awarded by the University of Sunderland, UK

The programme gives students a working knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industries and can be completed in 32 months (full-time), including a six-month work placement.

• Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management awarded by MDIS 

Spanning seven months(full-time) and 12 months(part-time), the programme equips students with anintegrated knowledge ofgeneral business and theoperations of the industry and includes field trips and hands on practicum.

MDIS Merit Scholarship (Local) Available*

*Terms and conditions apply

Article reproduced from  8 DAYS,issue #1322 May 29 2014, MediaCorp Pte Ltd.

TEXT: JULIAN TAN; PHOTOS: EALBERT HO; SHOT ON LOCATION AT ORCHARD HOTEL