(Santa Ana, CA)—Thirty high school students from Orange County and Los Angeles will take a rare on-board tour of the Princess Cruise ship in Long Beach Port on Tuesday, March 22. With a goal to encourage career pathways in the travel and tourism industry, the students will first visit the Travel Store travel agency in Irvine to learn about travel and tourism training and certifications before traveling to Long Beach for a behind-the-scenes tour and lunch courtesy of Princess Cruise Lines.
Sponsored by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office’s Doing What Matters for Jobs and the Economy grant coordinated by Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Deputy Sector Navigator for Retail, Hospitality and Tourism, Ruth Cossio-Muniz, the student tour aboard Princess is the first coordinated by the community college district and a rare opportunity since tightened security measures following 9/11.
With degrees and certificate programs in the travel and tourism industry throughout Southern California community college programs, the aim is to create interest in these career pathways for students through these first-hand experiences and speaking opportunities with industry leaders. The on-board Princess Cruise Line tour will navigate the students through various jobs required to operate a cruise ship.
Travel Placement Service president Cheryl Rodgers, who was instrumental in setting up the Princess Cruise tour for the students says, “The travel and tourism industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that could use new professionals on many levels. I was thrilled to gain support of Princess Cruises!”
Students and schools interested in future retail, hospitality and tourism programs through the community colleges can call (714) 564-5520 for more information.
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.
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