What does it take to land a career at the intersection of adventure, people, and precision? For a group of Year 12 students from Mt Maunganui College, the answer came through a hands-on day at Tauranga Airport, organised in partnership with JNP Aviation and Classic Flyers.

The morning kicked off with a series of personal stories from people working in the tourism and aviation industries. Each speaker had taken a different path to where they are now, and it quickly became clear that there’s no single route to finding meaningful work.

Haydn Marriner, who works in brand development at Tourism Bay of Plenty, talked about his journey from growing up in Rotorua to studying at The University of Waikato, working with Tourism New Zealand, and eventually guiding Contiki tours across Europe. He spoke about the joy of working with people, and how central that is in tourism.

And Gui Calmelet, who runs Skydive Tauranga, shared how one skydive changed the direction of his life. After finishing university, he trained as an instructor, has completed thousands of jumps, and now runs a business doing what he loves. He talked about the freedom of following the summer seasons and working internationally, a lifestyle shaped by skill, passion, and a bit of risk.

Amanda West offered a more winding tale, starting out at the YMCA, shifting into accounting, and then moving into events in Taupō and Tauranga. Her message was simple: careers don’t have to be linear. Each role builds on the last, and the people skills you develop along the way are often what matter most.

Mary Tolley followed, reflecting on the many roles she’s held throughout her career and the way each one shaped her. She spoke about the value of saying yes to opportunities, especially the unexpected ones. Her work has taken her around the world, offering both professional growth and personal adventure.

After the talks, students moved into small groups for a series of behind-the-scenes experiences at Tauranga Airport. They enjoyed standing beside live aircraft, they watched planes start up, taxi, and lift off. They learned how baggage is loaded and how weight is carefully distributed to ensure safety. At the airport fire centre, they explored the giant trucks, rode down the runway, and watched the water cannons in action. The fire crew explained how their responsibilities go beyond emergencies – sometimes it’s about clearing birds from the runway or being ready for medical incidents on board.

Inside the JNP Aviation training centre, students saw a stripped-back training aircraft, its wiring and infrastructure fully visible. They were introduced to the study options available and got a sense of what a career in aviation engineering could look like.

At the Tauranga Aero Club, the focus shifted to the sky. Students heard about training pathways for private pilot licences and how local qualifications can lead to globally recognised certifications. It was a clear, practical look at what it takes to get airborne.

Throughout the day, one message stayed with the students: there are more possibilities in tourism and aviation than many had realised, and no single way to get there. Hearing from people who had carved their own paths helped make these futures feel more tangible, while seeing the work up close brought the industry to life.

The experience was made possible thanks to the support of Janine Collins from JNP Aviation and Cory Tyler from Classic Flyers, whose coordination helped create a day that was not only informative, but genuinely impactful. For many of the students, it offered more than a glimpse into an industry, it gave them a sense of direction.

If your business is interested in offering a similar experience to help inspire and inform the next generation, get in touch with Dan Bromley, Vocational and Pathways Lead. He’d love to hear from you.