Tennessee (Tess) Kemp has enjoyed her time as a student at EIT.

A Food and Beverage programme at EIT was the opportunity 19-year-old Tennessee (Tess) Kemp needed to land a job as a Barista, but she now has her eye on enrolling in the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) next year.

Tess completed the NZ Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Café Services and Restaurant Services strands) [Level 3] at EIT’s Tairāwhiti Campus and loved it.

Part of the programme involved the students working in the EIT’s TORU restaurant serving real customers, with a number of dinner services.

“I found it difficult some nights, but it was really good to get that experience and to serve customers.”

Her hard work in obtaining her certificate led to a job at EIT Tairāwhiti’s Hub Café, where she works as a Barista.

She has become a popular figure serving staff and students their daily coffees.

Tess, who grew up in Tairāwhiti and went to Campion College, had originally wanted to join the Royal New Zealand Navy and completed EIT’s Services Pathway programme in the second half of 2020. Circumstances changed and she shifted her focus to the Food and Beverage programme, which has given her the confidence to undertake the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) next year.

“I really enjoy EIT’s Tairāwhiti Campus because there’s a range of different courses. I’ve done two completely different courses at EIT, but they’ve all been really helpful for me. And it’s just like a real small campus where pretty much everyone knows everyone there. So it’s real nice.”

Going forward, Tess wants to become a qualified ECE teacher and enrolling in EIT’s programme next year will put her in a position to achieve that.

“I’ve been told by many people that I’m very good with kids and I always just love being around young children as it feels fulfilling. I’ve helped out at schools as a teacher aide, so I have had a little bit of experience.”

Glenn Fulcher, Head of School Tourism & Hospitality says: “It’s fantastic that Tess has been able to gain her Food & Beverage qualification. It’s a certificate that has helped her grow her confidence interacting with customers and will support her financially with her journey into Early Childhood Education. Tess is a huge asset to our Campus Catering Hub Café Team.”