Congratulations on your graduation! And so sorry you are not able to celebrate it right now with friends and family. It is an accomplishment you can celebrate for the rest of your life, though.
No question, this will be a difficult job market for a while. But here is some advice I hope you will cheer you up:
California tourism has enjoyed 10 straight years of growth and success! These last few months have been devastating, but the industry will be back. It is strong. It is resilient. And it is starting to recover already.
Meanwhile, hard times aren't all bad. They shake things up and speed change. They force organizations and people to think differently, find new ideas, let go of comfortable ways, be leaner and faster and smarter.
And guess what, it is way harder for us to do that than for you. All of us who have been in the tourism industry for a while desperately need your energy, creativity, boldness, and fresh thinking.
We are pretty battered right now. But focus on how you can help, and you will be part of exciting new growth and reinvention that will change the tourism industry for the better.
Hang in there and I hope to see you in person soon!
Barbara Newton, President & CEO, California Travel Association