Laura-Jane Adventures

After one month in the business, I am reflecting on my start at TUI and am very proud to say I made it happen!

A lot can change and happen in a year! Friday, whilst working from home after finishing two meetings where I was speaking in Spanish, I had a big old wave of happiness. The joy I felt is a result of realising just how far I have come since last year.

At this time 12 months ago, I was trying to please everyone but myself. I had timidly started searching for a career change, but had no idea how to tap into the industry I wanted to be in. All I had was hope that I would figure it out, knowledge that I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to use my Spanish and get me to Spain, and a desire for a job that would make me happy.

Today I have just completed my first month with Europe’s leading tour operator – TUI. It feels like a dream come true to now be an International Graduate with TUI. A programme where I get to experience four different placements around the business and live in different destinations as I do so.

In this post, I want to reflect on the first month in the role. Also, since our induction week was in Hannover, I thought I would do what I love doing, and tell you what I got up to.

Reflecting on my start at TUI

When searching for a new job, particularly when trying to change industry completely, it can feel like no one is going to take a chance on you. Rejection is redirection, which is what I tell myself, but that does not mean it is an easy thing to go through, again and again. I was rejected by TUI for other roles. Therefore, applying to the International Graduate Programme was a leap of faith on my part as I told myself, ‘nope, those other roles weren’t for you, and this is‘.

The faith I had was strong, and after the assessment centre, I would look at myself in the mirror in the mornings and tell myself I was going to get the job. ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ is what my now line manager said to me last week, and I couldn’t agree more.

Because here I am today: in a completely different industry than the one that I was previously in; I’ve overcome failure and rejection; I am using my Spanish skills; and I now work for a company where I can see and believe wholeheartedly in career progression that aligns with my goals.

So what has that first month at TUI entailed?

• An Induction week at TUI’s head office in Hannover.
• Starting my first placement with the Tourist Boards and Partnerships team in Luton.
• Meeting Alfred TUI’s AI assistant during a day of celebrations at the office.
• Preparing for my first World Travel Market in London, where I will meet people from across the globe.

It has been a busy first month settling into the new role. As an International Graduate, I will complete four placements across the business and get to do two of them abroad, which is a very cool perk! My first placement, as mentioned, is in the Tourist Boards and Partnerships team, where I am focusing on business development. It is an innovative area of the business with lots of internal and external exposure. I know that the next 5 months in the role will fly by, so I intend to absorb every learning experience I can.

When I reflect and ask myself the very important question, ‘Are you happy in the job?’ I don’t even hesitate to say yes. I feel more hopeful than I have in the past, more comfortable being myself, and more fulfilled, which was my overall goal for this year.

Chase fulfilment, ebb and flow, and be a joyful little maniac about creating a life I love.

What to see and do in Hannover

So now that I have delved a bit into how I feel at TUI, let me tell you about Hannover, where TUI have its head office.

Hannover is located in Northern Germany, in the state of Lower Saxony. It is a smaller German city with a lot of history and green space to offer visitors.

Most of our week was spent in the TUI office, but we did have the chance to explore the centre of Hannover and also experience a tour of Hannover Airport. The city made me feel calm and prompted me to take a moment to breathe. Particularly on the morning of my last day, when I took myself on a little solo exploration around the city centre.

In no particular order, here are some things to add to your Hannover to do and see list:

• The Red Thread Tour: looping around the centre of the city, this walkable tour highlights the history and sights of Hannover, and prompts you to take stops along the way to refresh and enjoy local businesses.
• Have a traditional German dinner: we ate one night at Broyhan Haus – a very traditional German pub with a good atmosphere and lots of local dishes.
• Enjoy tea and a cake at Teestübchen Teehandel & Café: this café is absolutely gorgeous. It made me really see the joy of drinking a fresh, hot tea, and treating yourself to some apple crumble.
• Eat and shop at Markthalle Hannover: if you want to mingle with the locals and also stock up on biscuits and chocolate – this is the place! With lots of delicious eateries and a Bahlsen Outlet, this is a foodies heaven.

For more places to check out, here is my Google Maps List for Hannover!

Hannover is a city that, with work, I may now spend more time getting acquainted with. So there may be more recommendations to come. Until then, I am grateful to have spent such a lovely first week there, getting to know my graduate cohort and being inspired by what I discovered about TUI.

Thinking back again to how I felt last year as I struggled to navigate the job search. I now know myself better, understand what motivates me, and also what I will not tolerate for myself. Whilst the journey of figuring out the job I was in wasn’t the right fit, and the steps towards putting my happiness first were challenging, I would not change it. I have learnt so many valuable lessons, and I am a better version of myself having learned those lessons.

So, to anyone going through a challenging period – work-related or not – know that you will get through it and be stronger for it!

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane x