The ATTA’s internship program is now accepting applications for 2023. The ATTA’s internship program officially launched in 2019 with the goal of supporting and mentoring the industry’s young leaders.
“ATTA’s internship program developed from an internal working group that formed to discuss the need to attract youth to the viable careers within our industry,” Membership Director Mira Poling Anselmi said. “We designed this program to foster young people on an adventure travel career path, to give them knowledge to prepare and empower them to join the adventure travel industry while making a positive impact in the world.”
Anselmi leads the initiative as the internship program director with development support from Diego Arelano, the ATTA Performance Marketing Manager. Internships last six months, during which time each intern works closely with a specific department within the ATTA. They also learn about the state of the adventure travel industry and participate in informational interviews called “Mentor Meet-ups'' with several members of the global ATTA team, ATTA Ambassadors, and other leaders in the industry. Interns also work on capstone projects throughout the duration of the program. In 2022, they worked closely with ATTA partner CABI on developing tourism case studies about some of ATTA’s projects and members, several of which may be published in CABI’s tourism cases library.
Though the program immerses interns into the industry’s specific complexities, one additional benefit of interning with the ATTA highlights the changing reality of what it means to work in a global company today. The ATTA is an entirely remote company, so interns also became versed in the technologies and methodologies used to manage a multicultural, globally connected team.
Marketing intern Ami Nagase shared, “During my internship, I gained work experience, a network in my department, and built a relationship of trust through close communication with supervisors and being allowed to work on tasks outside of the department in which I wanted to be involved. Working with other diverse interns was rewarding, and the opportunity for meet-ups with experts was definitely a great opportunity to learn about the industry. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be involved with ATTA!”
In some cases, interns also begin their careers with the ATTA. Out of more than 30 interns who have gone through the program, six of those have gone on to paid positions with the ATTA. For Imogen Martin, whose internship ended just as a Marketing Assistant position became available, the timing coincided perfectly for her professional goals. She shared:
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the internship program for 2022. It’s hard to put into words how educational, rewarding and enjoyable this internship experience has been. From the very start, there were always opportunities to connect with people in the industry, ask questions and learn. With constant support from your supervisor, department and the wider ATTA team, you always feel like you are part of an adventure travel family. Through the course of my internship, it soon became apparent to me that being a part of the ATTA family was exactly where I wanted to be in my professional life. I am constantly grateful for the opportunities and wisdom that the ATTA team continues to give me on a daily basis. Working at the Adventure Travel Trade Association feels like a dream come true!
The first term in 2019 included four interns from the US and Europe. Since then, the program has continued to improve based on feedback and experience. The current term includes 14 interns from nine countries on four different continents.
“As the interns have continued to impress us, more departments are getting on board and requesting interns for their teams,” said Anselmi. “While they get to learn from us, we also learn from them and enjoy having students immersed in our team sharing their academic pursuits and enthusiasm with us. Plus it has become an important pathway to employment as we continue to grow.”
The Adventure Travel Trade Association is currently hiring 16 interns for the next term, which will take place January-June 2023. The internship is part time and offers flexible hours with a commitment of 8-12 hours per week. Positions are unpaid, but ATTA works with universities to offer course credit. Preference is given to current students and recent graduates.
This is a unique opportunity to work with a leading global organization, learn about the adventure travel industry, get exposed to the events and activities that ATTA organizes, and gain a deeper understanding of how the industry works and why adventure travel matters.
For Katt Hendershot, now an Operations Specialist with ATTA, the experience of being an intern was a catalyst for her to bring to fruition a career path she previously didn't know existed.
“I accidentally found this internship, but it was one of the best things to happen to me,” Hendershot said. “I found it at a time when I was traveling but felt lost on how it could become a career. I was welcomed with such warm (virtual) arms and felt a part of the team since day one and I knew I was going to do anything I could to be hired. I have made great friends during my internship and still feel so lucky to have been hired. I can’t recommend becoming an ATTA intern enough!”
Learn more about the ATTA Internship Program and apply here. Applications for the next term close on 9 December 2022.