What do you do if your travel and tourism internships aren't expanding your professional network?

Don't expect learning and opportunities to come find you, you have to go get them! An internship can be a great opportunity or just killing time, depending on the company you end up with. If you settle with being a passive bystander during your time there, it's possible that the internship won't lead you to any further opportunities. However, the internship IS the opportunity itself. You're already inside the company, be curious, be inquisitive, be eager to learn. Do expect someone to come and tell you something or give you a task. Go to your assigned supervisor and ask for stuff to do, ask them to teach you about processes, operations, services, and products. It's up to you how much you learn in an internship, not on the company.

An internship is a great opportunity to meet people, both within the company/organization you're doing your internship at, and people related to it. Introduce yourself to everybody you can. Ask them questions, and be interested in what they do, in how they relate to your experience or your future plans. Networking is key, and internships are amazing opportunities to be inside a fully operating company and meet all the people involved. Once you've introduced yourself personally, go ahead and connect online. Be on their radar, and stay relevant on social networks like LinkedIn. One thing that works really well after connecting online is to post industry-related articles or write your learnings so people can see that you're interested.

Feedback is everything. Some of the interns I've met during my career come with this "I've already learned everything" attitude, and while it's true that you learn a lot during your university/college time, you don't learn it all. The best way to take advantage of your time at an internship is to learn as much as you can, and a big part of learning comes from feedback. You can learn the processes from a paper SOP, but in my experience, feedback usually focuses more on the softer aspects of your performance. Ask for feedback rather than waiting for it. When you're asking for feedback, you're showing the willingness to receive it and improve. That behavior goes a long way with management and leads to great opportunities!

It always pays to be a nice person. During your internships, and even after, you'll come across opportunities that don't suit you. But don't ignore those! They can be great for someone in your network. Pass them along to someone you think can use them, and there will be a point when that comes around your way. If someone passes an opportunity to you, be thankful. Don't take it for granted, and show your appreciation. Helping others will help you grow a stronger network and people appreciate that. Whenever an opportunity comes their way that can be good for you, they'll send it your way!

If your travel and tourism internships aren't expanding your professional network as much as you'd like, consider actively seeking out networking opportunities outside of your internship. Attend industry events, conferences, or workshops related to travel and tourism. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and reach out for informational interviews or mentorship opportunities. Join relevant professional associations or clubs to meet others in the field. Networking takes initiative, so don't hesitate to put yourself out there and make connections beyond your internship.

When attending conferences and events, make sure to: 1. Prepare in Advance: Research the event agenda, speakers, and attendees to identify key individuals you want to connect with. 2. Engage Actively: Be open, approachable, and willing to start conversations with other attendees. 3. Exchange Contact Information: After engaging in meaningful conversations, don't forget to exchange contact details with the people you meet. 4. Attend Workshops and Roundtables: Participating in workshops and roundtable discussions can provide a more intimate setting for networking. 5. Utilise Social Media: Stay connected with your new contacts through professional social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Beyond all known ways to build your network in travel business; we must learn to build a community of travel people who share our perspective on many matters. A community of individuals who you can connect with for fun, business and everything else makes for best fit for a lifetime of value delivery and growth in any sector.