Yin Qi Koh- Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Tourism with Event Management

Name: Yin Qi Koh

From: Malaysia

School: Seri Alam (2) Secondary School in Johor State of Malaysia

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course:
I am Yin, coming all the way from sunny Malaysia to ATU Sligo for my Honours degree in Tourism with Event Management. Back in high school, I was all about the science life, drowning in math and formulas. However, I know that isn’t something I want in the long run. Before coming to Ireland, I was given the opportunity to live in South Korea for a few months, and I immediately realized how big the world is! This solidified my decision to come to study tourism at ATU Sligo. Not just because of its tourism focus, but also because it’s a business degree, with the bonus option of picking up a new language. Talk about flexibility, right? My future’s looking wide open!

What specifically about the course did you particularly enjoy?

As mentioned before, the structure of the course has a good balance between general business modules and tourism-focused modules. In terms of the business modules, we study marketing, management, accounting, economics, and law. At the same time, we also gain insight into how the tourism industry operates from local to global perspectives, along with some actual case studies. That is why I really enjoy the course as the strong knowledge foundation and support provided by lecturers and course mates have laid a solid groundwork for my future career. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, my cohort was unable to carry out the work placement. Otherwise, I would have been eager to share that experience as well.

What is the best thing about the course that you think new applicants should know?

As a tourism with event management student here, I believe the best thing about the course is the field trips. I think most of my peers would agree with me too! Field trips often involve visiting local places such as the Teapot Lane glamping site, The Connacht Distillery, Carrowmore Tomb, and many more! Most of the time, we also have Erasmus students from different parts of the world, such as France and Finland, joining our class for the semesters. Hence, I would say field trips are also a precious opportunity for international students like us to learn more about Ireland, and a valuable opportunity for local students to further understand their own history and culture.

Any favourite modules during your time studying?

I thoroughly enjoyed the event management module as it provided us with hands-on experience in applying what we’ve learned from different modules. For instance, the first step in organizing our past photography event was conducting a risk assessment, which aligned with what we learned in law lectures. Then, we had to carry out marketing to promote our photography event, targeting the showcasing of Ireland’s tourist destinations from the international student’s perspective. Organizing prize sponsorships and arranging facilities from the school was also a challenging yet rewarding aspect. Dealing with various uncertainties during the event preparation process honed our ability to react on the spot, making it a highly practical module and also my favourite module.

What key skills did you learn while studying in ATU Sligo that have influenced your career?

Many of my lecturers and classmates might know me as “the quiet Asian girl” in the classroom. However, I am really grateful that by the end of the day, I am able to see improvement in my interpersonal and communication skills when I step out into the world of career, thanks to the past experiences and help received from everyone in college. My experience as an international student ambassador for ATU Sligo (highly recommend everyone to become an ambassador if you get the chance!) helped me grow and expand my horizons because I get to talk with different people when volunteering for events happening in college. Networking, presentation,
and discussion have finally become something that is routine for me, hence boosting my self-confidence in the long run!

Can you share some detail of your career path or further studies to date

Yes, I am now working in a completely different field as a multilingual client data service analyst for an MNC based in Dublin. This proves that this competitive tourism business degree is not limited to tourism jobs only. By skillfully leveraging my personal strengths along with academic achievements, it has also guided me into the tech world. Moreover, I know that if I want to return to the tourism industry one day, I am able to do so anytime, anywhere.

What does your current role involve?

My current role involves safeguarding the integrity of our client data and managing the various data relationships within our internal CRM. Additionally, I am responsible for reviewing client data based on policies and providing feedback to improve our project processes and workflows

What advice would you share with our current students considering a career in your field?

It’s okay to study what you like in college because, regardless of the degree you choose, you’ll still have a higher chance of working in jobs outside your field of study. Personally, I can speak four languages, plus a little bit of very basic Spanish, as I enrolled in Spanish language electives while studying for my tourism degree. Having additional language skills helped me secure my current analyst job and also my previous sales job. In Chinese, there’s a saying ‘Live and learn until old age.’ Therefore, never stop learning as knowledge is infinite.

What did you like best about studying in ATU Sligo?

One of the best things about studying at ATU Sligo is the awesome support from both classmates and the college. Whenever I need help with my studies, the lecturers are super patient and helpful. Plus, with small class sizes, it’s easy to get to know everyone, which really helps with communication. And Sligo itself is a great town where I feel safe wandering around alone anytime, which is slightly different compared to my current experiences living in Dublin.

What advice would you give a first-year student starting in ATU Sligo?

Enjoy your college life as much as you can, especially during your first year. Whether it’s in terms of your study or social experiences, if you can find peace in it, those moments will be the greatest throughout your college journey. However, don’t become too relaxed. Consider working part-time, pursuing internships, or actively engaging in volunteering activities to enhance your CV. Transitioning from high school to college, or even moving to a new country like me, can be challenging. Yet, if you manage your first year well, you’ll likely navigate the rest of your college experience smoothly.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Tourism with Event Management