Daily work is quite variable. I normally answer sick calls and replace employees in the morning. I then check employees in and ensure the tour operation is running smoothly throughout the day. After that, I work on ongoing assignments like planning and scheduling school and ADA tours. I also monitor and evaluate tour guide's tours. I mentor the guide staff and assist them with any problems. I analyze the tour program and address any issues in meetings. Lastly, I give tours to VIP guests.
CAREER
Tour Guides and Escorts
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$29,460
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+5.4% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Tour Guides and Escorts Do
Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.
Other Job Titles Tour Guides and Escorts May Have
Art Museum Docent, Discovery Guide, Docent, Guide, Historical Interpreter, Museum Docent, Museum Educator, Museum Guide, Science Interpreter, Tour Guide
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
As a poet my days are spontaneous and require me to write it down. A day in the life of a college tour guide consists of the following: usually I get together with my fellow tour guides and we do an ice breaker team building exercise. Then it is off to greet new students and prospective students. Usually this concludes with me and the other tour guides offering the new students the opportunity to sit in with us and eat a communal meal so they can experience first hand a taste of college!
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
- Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
- Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
- Conduct educational activities for school children.
- Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Tour Guides and Escorts
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Associate's Degree (31%)
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
High School Diploma
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
English, Creative Writing B.A.
Bachelor
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Human...
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Skills in managing personnel are crucial.
Poets are required to free write without and to risk criticism to be good . additionally a poet needs to do do writing exercises, journal, peer workshop
Guides requirements, knowledge of the college traditions and community as a whole so typically we offer new students upon successful completion of one semester the option of joining our ranks as tour guides in our Lynx Leaders program, an introductory program where they can learn all the skills and emerge as successful tour guides and citizens.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
As a poet write for school papers, literary journals, and take in as many positive social experiences as you can this will foster your creativity and give you a network of like minded people who can help you as you approach college.
Keep yourself in the classroom, don't drop out of school because without a high diploma you will have a much more difficult time getting into college and college is where you find opportunities such as my old job of tour guide.
Get a seasonal job. It will help you learn how everything works in the State Parks system. I would also highly recommend taking any and all civil service exams that you can. You can't get a full time state job unless you are ranked on a hiring list! Look at https://jobs.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Search/ExamSearch.aspx to find exams that you may be interested in taking. Every exam you pass is a door that will be open to you when you are looking for a job.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
