Do
you want to travel places, experience new cultures, and interact with
different people for a living? Then, becoming a travel agent may be
the right career for you! Don’t worry if you think you don’t have
the right educational background for the job: the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics says that a high school diploma is usually enough to
make you qualified!
That
said, a diploma alone won’t be enough of an edge in the real world,
because travel agencies are also looking for individuals with
different skills and/or extensive travel experiences. You may want to
start working on those.
If
you intend to go to college to further your career prospects, work on
a degree in communication, business management, hospitality, or
marketing, which could all take a variable number of years to
accomplish. Then you might have to spend a few years in an airliner
or cruise service. Alternatively, you can adopt an unorthodox
approach: obtain a degree in accounting and spend your first years
working in a hotel. Most travel agencies will consider this as
relevant work experience in the industry.
You
may also want to get certified to boost your chances even further.
Organizations like the Travel Institute, Cruise Lines International
Association, and the National Business Travel Association have
various programs and trainings you can take advantage of, especially
if you wish to land on a managerial position.
