5 Minutes with Certificate II in Tourism Scholarship Winner Jasmine Muir

One of the best things about working at Flight Centre Travel Academy is helping people start the career of their dreams! We caught up with the winner of our Student Flights scholarship competition, Jasmine Muir, to chat changing careers, favourite travel moments, and expectations for the journey ahead. 

Hey Jasmine! Thanks for taking a few minutes to chat. Let's start with an easy one: What do you do at the moment?

I’m in my third year as a fulltime pharmacy assistant. I really like it – it’s small and local and you get to know all the regular customers.

When you start your travel course, will you study and work at the same time?

I’m still going to be working fulltime while I study, which is great! Since I can do most of the course online, I’m just taking two weeks off work to do the 10 days of classroom training.

Are you nervous about the career change?

I don’t think I’m nervous – it’s exciting! For a while now all my friends have been telling me I should be a travel agent. I was looking into tourism and travel courses, but I was always too busy saving and planning for my next holidays!

Were your family and friends excited when you told them you won the scholarship?

Yes! They’re so happy for me, especially because they know I love travelling so this is really the perfect opportunity for me to do what I love.

Did you think about doing any further study when you finished high school?

I wasn’t really too sure what I wanted to do; I just knew I wanted to keep my options open. I did do a course for a medical receptionist, then the pharmacy traineeship came up so I just went for it.

What do you think the travel course is going to be like?

I’m trying to keep an open mind about it; just expecting the unexpected really! I think there will be times where it will be challenging, but I also think there will be plenty to keep me intrigued. 

We loved your response in the Student Flights scholarship competition, especially the part about ‘travel makes us better people’. Was there something in particular that inspired this?

I think it’s just from experience. I recommend anyone to travel solo – it really challenges you. Meeting people from around the world and listening to all their stories – both the good and bad ­– you learn to appreciate what you have and realise just how lucky you are to have the opportunity to see the world.

It also makes you very money-wise! I’m always saving and budgeting for my next adventure, so I have to make smart decisions: buy a nice dress, or save the money for my next holiday?

Do you have a goal in mind for when you finish your Certificate II in Tourism?

I’d really like to become a travel agent – for now! Maybe later down the track I’d think about living and working overseas.

What have been some of your favourite travel experiences?

I’m going back to Europe again next year for the third time – I just love it! It’s hard to pick but I do have a few favourite destinations: I love Edinburgh, Venice, Switzerland and Paris. Paris was definitely what I expected – and more!

Next year I’m sailing Croatia, Greece – all on a tour with Contiki – and heading to Spain, Portugal and Morocco as well. My life goal is to see Machu Picchu.