Meet Kirsty Dugdale, our Programme Leader.
Originally from Manchester, UK (so she has a cool accent!), Kirsty has been with QRC since 2014.
She manages the lecturers for both of our diplomas, Adventure Tourism Management and Hospitality Management, as well as teaching Customer Services Management and Human Resources Management.
Back in the UK, she was the Head of Department for Psychology at Wardle High School and taught Psychology as well as a transformational/key skills curriculum.
She moved to New Zealand in 2010 and promptly fell in love with Queenstown, deciding to make it her new home in 2011. She also worked in Human Resources, Customer Service Management and Admin/Logistics for leading tourism operators such as Ngai Tahu Tourism and NZSki. She was also a manager at Nugget Point Hotel for a period.
In terms of qualifications, Kirsty has a degree in Psychology, Post Graduate Certificate in Education & Training (High School, College and Adult), a Post Graduate in Human Resources Management and is currently completing a Masters in Applied Management. She also holds a General Manager Certificate.
Kirsty strongly believes that skills can be taught, but you hire for attitude. In fact, if you ask Kirsty’s students what they’ve learned from her, you can bet that one piece of advice they will always remember is “Hire for attitude!”
When she’s not in the classroom Kirsty can be found outside, whether it’s up a mountain (snowboarding or hiking), biking a trail or paddle-boarding on the lake. She’s also a big fan of travelling and road tripping, usually fitting in a stop at a winery or cheesery. She also figures that you’re never too old to learn so is currently challenging herself to learn to play the guitar.
Kirsty’s favourite thing about working for QRC
“I find it incredibly rewarding to watch the growth and development that takes place within our student journey from Term 1 to Term 6, especially seeing them bring their knowledge and experience back into the classroom and relate it to academic theory. I enjoy working with both sets of students and their different personas – it makes it a pleasure to come to work each day!”
