College Grads Finding Jobs Hard to Get:
Becoming a Professional Tour Director Might be the Answer

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports: fewer than 20% of recent grads that have applied for work have found a job and the outlook for job seekers is expected to remain challenging for the next few years.

The May 31, 2009 business section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that college grads are finding even entry-level jobs hard to get.

"While traditional jobs are harder to find, recent college graduates are among the best candidates for jobs in the tour and travel industry," says Ted Bravos, CEO of International Tour Management Institute (ITMI). "Our experience has shown that college students seeking freelance work and recent college graduates often become highly successful tour directors. Professional tour directing can also lead to other jobs in the travel and events planning industry."

Despite the economic downturn, the travel industry creates over 17 million jobs in the US alone. Travel and tour companies are constantly seeking qualified professionals to direct tours or to serve as hosts on cruise ships. Professional tour directors earn between $150 to $350 per day plus all expense paid trips.

Recent college graduates can benefit from more than a paycheck. Professional tour directors can experience paid travel to virtually all corners of the world. This provides an invaluable opportunity to learn about other countries and other cultures. This can be a tremendous asset to potential future employers, who seek individuals with the expertise to navigate easily through the complexities of a global marketplace.

Meeting interesting people from around the world is an additional fringe benefit. Lifelong friendships are often formed, providing tour directors with an enviable network of contacts. Some ITMI tour directors have even met their future spouses while on tour. Gina Pillsbury for example, met her husband in France. She now enjoys an exciting and fulfilling life in the heart of Paris.

Dale Herdman, who became a professional tour director several years after college graduation, has this to say about ITMI: "Ted was my trainer in North Hollywood. Not only did I receive expert training, coaching, and development, but Ted helped me land the job of my dreams with the #1 Tour Operator. Ted is very personable and fun to learn from. I have taken a lot of knowledge from my training to apply to real world events. The training from ITMI is priceless."

In two short weeks, ITMI's certified tour director program teaches students all aspects of tour directing. Because over 60% of the program is conducted in the field, participants receive the intensive real-world experience which prepares them for paid assignments immediately upon graduation.

Individual strategy sessions, held after course completion, help students identify their immediate and long term objectives, and allow ITMI staff to determine which tour operators will best meet their goals. ITMI's instructors also help students with resume preparation and assist them in arranging interviews with prospective employers. Many graduates find jobs within the first few weeks. Some, like Nicole Kreigenhofer, who has joined ITMI as an instructor, secure their first assignment immediately after course completion.

To learn more about all of the exciting tour director opportunities,
email Joan Keddell at travel@itmisf.com
visit www.itmitourtraining.com
or call (800) 442-4864.