Name: Kate Howe

Title: Business Development Manager

Company: BUNAC

Member Since: October 2004

 

 

We continue to seek out new partners in every corner of the globe to ensure we continue to diversify our customer base and ensure good access for work abroad experiences

What has your company been up to in the past 12 months?

BUNAC has continued to help young people gain work, volunteer and internship experiences in many countries across the world. Our work abroad programmes remain strong and our internship focus has increased hugely, allowing us to create professional career focused and worthwhile experiences for our millennials and Gen Z markets. Our programme development also continues, with our recent launch of Au Pair USA, Teaching English in South Korea and Work Germany.

What are the current or emerging trends within your sector?

During our conversations with current and new partners, we are noticing that internships are very much the topic of conversation as there seems to be mounting pressure for students to ensure their CV is filled with practical learning experiences. Adding an international aspect alongside this gives student the competitive edge when attending job interviews. Although the intention to travel and see the world is still at the forefront of minds, students and recent graduates are looking to combine their ‘gap-year’ travels with a career focused learning experience.

How does your role support the business?

As BUNAC’s Business Development Manager, I am responsible for creating new B2B relationships within the Youth Work abroad, Intern and Travel sector. A large part of my role is to attend conferences’ around the globe, where I can reconnect with current partners and create new relationships, which effectively promotes our company and expands our business network and global customer base.

What has been your career highlight to date?

I was recently asked to participate on a panel session in Lisbon at the WYSTC conference and represent the UK on the topic, State of play: Youth mobility and cultural exchange. This was a new and slightly nerve-racking experience for me as I have not dared myself to partake in public speaking before but turns out I really enjoyed myself and was able to update the audience with some useful information! This is something I would love to do again and has been a big highlight of my career so far.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

‘Read more!’ This Is now a running joke within my family, as my Dad once told me to ‘read more books’ as he was fed up having to answer my spelling check questions (this was before the days of predictive text!) But his words of wisdom stuck, reading books amongst other things, inspired me to travel and seek adventure abroad, which effectively has brought me to where I am today, and I am forever grateful!

Where is your favourite place to travel to?

Iceland…or Canada! I love both places and have had wonderful experiences exploring each country. Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Vancouver Island are my top destinations.

What’s next for your company?

We continue to develop our products ensuring we offer fantastic service and ultimately help young people explore the world and live like a local by working or Interning abroad. We continue to seek out new partners in every corner of the globe to ensure we continue to diversify our customer base and ensure good access for work abroad experiences. We’re also keen to keep adding new and exciting work abroad destinations to ensure we cater for this generation of global citizen’s looking for the road less travelled. Work programmes in South Korea, Japan and South Africa are already proving popular so watch this space for what’s next!

Find out more about BUNAC here