Staff Spotlight: Sacha Stedman, Programme Director

Sacha is our Programme Director for Travel and Tourism here at EKC Dover College. She used to be a student, and has now had valuable industry experience which she brings to our students’ knowledge.

We spoke to Sacha about her experiences, her studies and what she hopes to do in the future.

How did you get into Travel?

I started my journey into travel right here at EKC Dover College where I completed my Level 3 BTEC in Travel and Tourism back in 1994. My studies provided me with some great links within the travel industry and at weekends every winter, I worked as a Ski Train Rep for Crystal Holidays.

This involved taking passengers across the channel and onto their ski resorts in France on the ski train. During the summer months, when not at College, I worked as a stewardess on board a Hovercraft. I then went to university in London where I gained a BA Honours Degree in Tourism Management. 

What was your goal during your time at College?

My goal was always to be a Holiday Representative and I was lucky enough to work in many different holiday resorts around Europe.  These included Ibiza (my favourite), Benidorm, Gran Canara, Faliraki, Menorca and Andorra. Working as a Rep was a fun and rewarding experience – it didn’t even feel like work. I have also worked as a travel agent for Going Places, a travel consultant for P & O ferries and a Customer Relations Executive for Saga Holidays. 

What is your educational background?

In 2005 I applied to Canterbury Christ Church University to train to be a teacher. Upon completion, I secured my first job in a school in Sittingbourne teaching Travel and Tourism. I soon became the subject Leader for Travel and Tourism and remained there until 2017. 

In January 2018 I joined EKC Dover College and I am now the Programme Director of Travel and Tourism.

Tell us more about the Travel and Tourism course here at EKC Dover College:

The travel course we offer here is great fun and we cover so many different areas of travel – due to the huge scope of jobs available within the industry.  We are also extremely lucky to have our own fully equipped air cabin crew room, which is a replica of a plane. Not many colleges have this great facility. The course provides students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to persue their dream career in travel. 

Interested in learning more from Sacha directly and gaining the experience needed for a career all over the world?

Source: dovercollege.ac.uk