At Queenstown Resort College (QRC), students are encouraged to turn their passions into careers and for Jessica Molloy, that passion was adventure. Growing up in Te Anau, surrounded by the natural beauty of Fiordland and a thriving tourism scene, Jessica always knew she wanted a future in the industry. Through QRC’s Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management, she gained the skills, confidence, and industry connections to launch her career. Today, she’s living that dream in Queenstown, delivering unforgettable jet boat experiences and showcasing the very landscapes that first inspired her journey
Jess’s Journey
I’m Jessica Molloy, and I grew up in the small tourism town of Te Anau, where adventure and the outdoors were part of everyday life. Being surrounded by travellers and the wild landscapes of Fiordland from a young age sparked my love for tourism and chasing new experiences around the world. Today, I work in adventure tourism after completing a Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management at QRC. I now help deliver high-energy jet boat experiences, sharing some of New Zealand’s most incredible scenery with visitors from all over the world. I’ve always been drawn to adrenaline and adventure, so turning that passion into a career with the support of QRC has been an exciting journey.
My most memorable experience at QRC was completing my dream internship at the InterContinental Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, Australia. I am incredibly grateful for the support and industry connections QRC provided to make that opportunity possible. During my internship, I worked as a Sports and Leisure Attendant, running activities for guests visiting from all over the world. No two days were the same, from organising beach and water activities to spending my days snorkelling and kayaking, spotting turtles and other wildlife almost every day.
What made the experience truly special were the people I worked alongside. By the end of the internship, I left not only with incredible memories and connections, but also friendships that now span the globe.
Since graduating from QRC, my journey has remained firmly within the adventure tourism industry. After finishing my studies, I found my way into jet boating in Queenstown. I’ve now been driving jet boats for around two and a half years, first with RealNZ and now with ThunderJet. It’s been an exciting path that combines adventure, tourism, and the outdoors, everything that originally drew me to the industry. Working within jet boats is an incredible opportunity that blends adrenaline, stunning scenery, and meeting people from all over the world. My favourite days are when the sun is shining, the tunes are pumping, and everyone on board is having the time of their lives, enjoying one of Queenstown’s most special adventure experience
Why QRC? + advice from Jess
QRC gave me a strong understanding of the different expectations and experiences within the tourism industry. It helped build the practical skills and confidence needed to deliver excellent customer experiences, while also preparing me for the fast-paced, people-focused industry. One crucial skill I developed at QRC was public speaking; learning to present on the spot to a group of people gave me the confidence I now use every day when interacting with guests.
What I love most about my job is the energy that comes with it. Every day I meet people from around the world who are excited to try something new. Seeing their faces light up during their first jet boat ride, feeling the adrenaline, and hearing the cheers when the music is pumping is incredibly rewarding. Being able to create those moments while working outdoors in such an amazing place is something I will never take for granted.
For anyone dreaming of working in a fun and impactful industry: do it. QRC teaches the key fundamentals needed to succeed in tourism, while also giving you opportunities to make lifelong memories and connections. This industry can take you to incredible places, and you will have experiences most people never get to have. So if it excites you, don’t hesitate to dive right in.
The best advice I’ve received while working in tourism is to always deliver an experience, not just a service. In adventure tourism, it’s about creating moments people remember long after the ride ends, even when the weather or circumstances aren’t perfect. They will always remember your energy and smile, regardless of small imperfections.
Take every opportunity and make the most of the connections around you. QRC offers hands-on experiences and industry links that can open doors to amazing roles worldwide, but it’s up to you to stay curious, work hard, and put yourself out there. The tourism industry is full of exciting and unexpected paths, and the more open you are, the more rewarding your journey will be.
My plans for the future are to keep driving jet boats for a little while longer. By the end of this year, I plan to complete a superyacht course for deckhanding, opening the door to more study and hands-on experience in the maritime industry, an area I’m very passionate about. Combining my QRC experience with this course, I hope to take my love for adventure, watersports and tourism worldwide, travelling and working on superyachts while continuing to explore new places and create unforgettable lifelong memories.
From her first steps at QRC to delivering high-energy experiences on the water, Jessica’s journey shows just how far a passion for adventure can take you. It’s safe to say she’s landed somewhere pretty incredible!
