Tour Guides

One way to become more familiar with the responsibilities of this job is to accompany local tours. Many cities have their own historical societies and museums that offer tours as well as opportunities to volunteer. To appreciate what is involved with speaking in front of groups and the kind of research that may be necessary for leading tours, you can prepare speeches or presentations for class or local community groups. You may also find it helpful to read publications such as Courier (https://ntacourier.com), the National Tour Association's travel magazine.

Talk with a tour guide about his or her career. Ask your school counselor to help arrange an interview. Suggested interview questions include: What made you want to enter this career? What are some of the biggest challenges and rewards of leading tours? What are some key skills for success? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job? Perhaps you could even job-shadow a tour guide to learn even more about the field.