As a literature major, Selcuk pictured a life with rhyming couplets and free verse. However, his path shifted when he landed a job in travel. Though it had its adventures, the industry also brought many lows, ultimately leading Selcuk to quit and seek a fresh start – and maybe even find some poetic justice.
Selcuk’s grew up in the city of Istanbul, Turkey, where he spent the first 24 years of his life. He pursued a degree in French literature at university, envisioning a future steeped in poetry. However, life had different plans for him. During his university years, he took on a job as a welcome greeter at the airport, where he was responsible for helping customers to and from their hotels. This role marked the beginning of an unexpected foray into the travel industry.
His knack with visitors and dedication soon led to a shift in responsibilities, and he transitioned into an operations role within the same company in Istanbul. A year later, his career took a significant turn when he was relocated to Dubai in late 2010 to meet the company’s growing needs. In 2013, a promising job opportunity in Spain presented itself, but the company went bankrupt shortly after, forcing him to return to Dubai. In 2016, Selcuk took a bold step by returning to Spain and co-founded a business with two colleagues. However, this venture ended when his partners ousted him from the company.
This series of unfortunate events was a challenging time for Selcuk, leaving him both angry and upset. Determined to rebuild from scratch, he took out a loan in 2018 and established his own company in Barcelona. Unfortunately, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 dealt a severe blow to his business. Despite waiting for six months and experimenting with online tours, Selcuk packed it all in. He decided it was time to return to his roots in Turkey and reconsider his career path, vowing never to work in tourism again.
What happened once you got back to Turkey?
For six months, I barely left my room.
Eventually, a close friend came to me and said, ‘Look, you have studied French literature. You have started your own company. From zero. You moved to Dubai, Spain, Latvia, and many other countries, and in each country, you were successful. Nobody knew that the pandemic was coming. It affected even the biggest companies. So, it’s not your fault, and you only need to see what you have done so far. You’ll be doing better than this in the near future.’
I told myself I had managed many difficult situations. It was time to recover and learn new things. So, I started learning mobile app development and eventually got involved in a Google project.
I told myself I had managed many difficult situations. It was time to recover and learn new things.
So, during that difficult time, you were able to learn a new skill and get a job with Google.
Yes, I feel proud. It was a one-time project. They were looking for people who spoke English and understood the project. There were so many applicants. During the interview, I told them my story and said I wasn’t expecting any income. I wanted the experience and to be part of the project. I told them that even if they hired someone else, I would assist that person for free.
They told me I wasn’t qualified for the job, but there were six months until the project began, and they offered me some free courses that would help me prepare for the role. After which, I would take a test. So I spent another six months studying, and I passed and got the job. It was only for two months, but they were really happy with me and asked me to stay as a mentor for new students.
What encouraged you to be so open and truthful in your interview?
It’s always been like that for me. Even with Intrepid. I was so open during my interview. I said, look, I don’t want to work in tourism and I don’t even know why I applied for this job.
The last time I felt this kind of fire was when I was starting my own business in Barcelona after my partners kicked me out of the company and I wanted to fight for myself.
After swearing off the travel industry, why did you apply for the job at Intrepid?
Intrepid saw my application and asked me to come for an interview and I needed a proper job. I was honest; I explained I didn’t know if I would stick around for long, but I wanted to try. After the Intrepid leader training, I felt that fire for tourism again. I felt enthusiasm again.
What was it about that experience that sparked your passion again?
I’ve been in the industry for 15 years, and before the leader training, I thought to myself, what can they teach me? I realised that there were many details that I didn’t know. I was impressed by Intrepid’s ethical values and attention to misconduct, health and safety and policies. I wanted to learn more. The last time I felt this kind of fire was when I was starting my own business in Barcelona after my partners kicked me out of the company and I wanted to fight for myself.
After all the setbacks in the travel industry, how has being back in it again been for you?
There’s more joy. I’m trying to learn new things, and when I’m in new destinations, I find myself saying, this place is good for our trips. Before I started working at Intrepid, I would see nice places, but I wouldn’t go any deeper into it. Working at Intrepid has helped me to experience my surroundings more.
You had a good friend come through for you when you needed it. How do you feel about that experience now?
If I hadn’t gone to that interview with Intrepid, I wouldn’t have realised I still have a fire for the travel industry.
I tell myself that everybody has dark moments, of course, but I can still fix things or find a way out. Steve Jobs gave a speech at a university, saying that life is about connecting the dots backwards.
In my case, if my partners hadn’t kicked me out of my company, I wouldn’t have started my own company. If the pandemic hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have come to Turkey and started from zero. If I hadn’t studied app development, I wouldn’t have refreshed my mind.
If I hadn’t gone to that interview with Intrepid, I wouldn’t have realised I still have a fire for the travel industry. In that moment, you don’t realise the experience is a dot that will create another connection, but when I look back, I’m able to make those connections, and it makes me happy.
Visit Selcuk’s hometown on a trip to Turkey with Intrepid.
