TOUR GUIDE

Most tour guides will tell you that your work experience is much more important than going to school to be a guide. There are some schools that offer courses in tour management that last from one month to one year. See the For More Information section for some schools that offer these programs.

Tour guides need to be organized, responsible, and ready to deal with any situation. Helping to plan school trips or managing a sports team at your high school might help you to develop those skills. You also need good customer service skills. Working as a guide in a local museum, or working in a hotel or restaurant, will help you to polish your people skills. It would also help to study a foreign language or two, to learn as much history as possible, and to take a public speaking class.

When you are ready to become a tour guide, many tour companies will train you by sending you on tours with an experienced guide. You assist the guide and learn about the place you are visiting. Watch the guide closely to see how he or she handles the people on the tour, or handles problems that come up. Soon you will be ready to lead a tour on your own.