Travel Agency Internships Can Work for You

While interns can provide busy travel agencies with much needed assistance, both sides lose if the agency views them as a free or cheap way to get the grunt work done.

Both sides benefit when agencies provide interns with valuable hands-on training, said Roberta Schwartz, CTC, MCC, an associate professor at The Hospitality College of Johnson & Wales University in North Miami.

Schwartz, also co-owner of Imagine Your Vacations, a Cruise Planners/American Express Travel franchise, shared her perspective with Travel Market Report on what makes internships work and why agencies should use interns.

Do you see many students interested in becoming travel agency interns?
Schwartz: We’ve seen a resurgence among students wanting to do internships over the past two years. You used to see just one or two a year. I think there’s been a turnaround because the media is no longer saying that agents are dinosaurs. Now the message is out that consumers are better off using a travel agent.

How should a travel agency approach the intern relationship?
Schwartz: It’s an opportunity to train somebody and bring in someone to help with the business. A lot of people think that interns are great because they can file brochures, do the busy work. That’s not what we want to see on the school end. We want to see constructive opportunities being provided.

There’s a lot of important work interns can do that helps the agency and helps them learn the business – in data base management, in calling clients and following up with them. Internships fail when companies don’t use interns properly. You have to have the mindset that this is a win-win situation.

How can agencies ensure a win-win relationship?
Schwartz: A travel agency should create a job description. What do you expect the intern to do? What outcomes are you looking for? The school will have some criteria for assessing the intern’s performance, especially if it’s part of a for-credit credit course. So there has to be a real commitment.

Are there any long-term benefits in having an intern?
Schwartz: It’s not just about using someone for several months as added labor. You should want to establish an ongoing relationship with the school, so you have a constant flow of interns. Some of them could turn into valuable employees. This has happened.

What are some sources for interns?
Schwartz: One place to start is by going online and checking out the National Academy Foundation, which is a source for student interns enrolled in travel and tourism programs. You may be located in a city where there is an Academy program.

Do some research on the Internet about travel and tourism programs in your area. Consider bringing in a high school student. If you catch someone at the right time, when they are developing what they are interested in, you may have them for life. Also, check out the two-year colleges and universities. There are still proprietary travel schools.

Should you start with just one intern?
Schwartz: If you’ve never done it before, start with one intern at a time. Put your toe in the water.

How does the agency and school work together?
Schwartz: Usually the school will have parameters about what you do. There will be a reporting system. Our students have an orientation, so they know what they have to do. We require the employer to report back to us as well.  There’s a form with questions. How is their work performance? What is their attitude? What specific things did you require of them?

How about issues like compensation, hours and the duration of the internship?
Schwartz: There is a move toward paid internships in every field. There are legal questions. A lot of issues about unpaid internships have gone to the courts. Internships have been considered a great pool of free labor, but this is changing – in all industries.

How long the internship lasts depends on the school curriculum. Usually three to six months. In can be full-time or part-time, depending on what the school requires.