How to Become a South Carolina Travel Agent

Becoming a travel agent in South Carolina can be a rewarding and relatively easy process for aspiring job candidates. While certification can assist with career opportunities, it is not required for employment. Training can be conducted through community college, vocational school or distance learning programs. Professional networking can also assist travel agents in continued learning, staying up to date on tourism trends and business services.

Instructions

1

Complete a travel agent training program through a vocational school or community college. Travel agent jobs often require some training or preparation. If you are a high school graduate, or if you have completed and associate's or bachelor's degree, you can complete travel agent training through several channels. Local schools like Greenville Technical College in Greenville, South Carolina, offer travel agent courses which prepare students for the Travel Agent Proficiency (TAP) test.

2

Take the TAP test. The TAP test is a national proficiency exam offered by The Travel Institute and will give employers validation that you have received the initial training needed to begin a career as a travel agent. This exam is offered nationwide through local testing sites. The local testing center for South Carolina can be identified by visiting The Travel Institute website (see References) Once you have cleared a test date with the supervisor at the South Carolina test site, you may return to the Institute website to register for the exam.

3

Seek entry-level employment with a travel agency in South Carolina. Once you have passed the proficiency exam, you will have the basic training required to pursue entry-level jobs with local agencies. Conduct an online search for local agencies or consider using career websites like Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com to search for agencies that may be hiring.

4

Join the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). This professional association features career advice, a professional network of travel agent peers and an online job database. Visit their website (www.asta.org) and conduct a search for jobs within the South Carolina area. Familiarize yourself with the South Carolina chapter to establish a professional network in your local area and to inquire about agencies that may be hiring locally.