Travel Jobs Education and Training
Land travel industry jobs with great training and skills
For those who want to see the world and earn a living, there's a wonderful type of career: travel, money and adventure await with travel industry employment. There are many travel jobs to choose from, but many people who wish to break into the travel industry find that they are confused about travel jobs education and training. While formal classes and degrees are available, the necessary education varies widely by the specific traveling careers you wish to pursue.Another challenge when seeking travel jobs education and training is that some of the skills you need for a career in travel industry positions are not taught in a college setting. Many of the qualities that employers seek are actually "soft skills" that are not necessarily taught in many tourism and travel courses. Developing these skills can give you a definite advantage if you want to break into the travel industry. Therefore, you will want to consider:
- Find a good formal school if the job you are interested in requires a college degree.
- Attend vocational training courses that match your travel employment aspirations.
- Seek out certification courses to advance your skills competency.
Seek out professional management and business degrees that will help you land travel jobs
Many management positions in the travel and tourism industry require a degree, and a degree in tourism or hospitality is highly recommended if you are interested in starting your own travel business. These degrees teach you the business skills and management skills you need to be successful with specific careers in the industry. Look for a school that not only offers the degree you want, but also provides hands-on training and has a respected reputation.
Try: The International Student Guide to the United States of America outlines what students should look for when obtaining a degree in hospitality and tourism. The International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators offers a list of US community colleges, colleges and universities offering travel industry courses and degrees.
Consider vocational training to expand your travel employment opportunities
It is often useful to start your education and training backwards, by honing in on the job you want and then perusing travel job postings to find out what qualifications you really need. Many jobs in the industry do not require education or training in travel specifically, but may have different qualifications. For example, a travel writer may need to take writing courses rather than a hospitality course.
Try: LearnHub has a useful list of travel professions and the education and training required for each position. Top Travel Schools provides a comprehensive overview of the vocational training that is useful for a career as a travel agent.
Consider certification for travel agent jobs
Although many jobs in the travel industry do not require certification or specific training, some employers and businesses do require testing or certification for select positions. Many jobs in travel require the TAP Test, a national exam that tests basic competency in entry-level knowledge required for some travel jobs. Travel agents may also require certifications like the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) or Certified Travel Coordinator (CTC) to prove competency.
Try: Education Portal offers detailed descriptions of every level of travel agent certification. The Travel Institute administers the TAP test. Their website offers lots of information about the test, including locations and dates of the test for the current year.
- Employment in travel varies widely depending on the economy. When training for your travel career, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the economy. If the economy will likely be doing poorly when you graduate or finish your training, consider having an additional career option while you continue to seek out existing tourism jobs.
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