Sarah Fox, 29, trainee business travel consultant at Giles Travel, graduated with a BA in communications from the University of Leeds
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After graduating I was stuck work- ing in fashion retail. I took a year
out to travel, before coming home and searching the internet for travel compa- nies in the southwest. I came across a job advert for a TMC. I wasn’t even sure what it did, but I sent my CV anyway. I received a phone call, and next thing I knew I had given up my flat in Bristol and moved to Amersham to join the Giles Business Travel Academy. I didn’t know business travel existed. The training covered a range of things. There was
booking, ticketing and learning to use the technology systems. It also covered sales, marketing, account management, products and services. My role now as a trainee BTC is working with clients to arrange their travel in the most cost- effective way. Business travel is unknown to a lot of people, but it’s growing quickly and there will always be a need for it. It is exciting to work with companies who have people travelling all over the world. People say once business travel bites you can’t shake the bug. I’ll be here for life.
Katie Duckett, 25, business development manager at Zibrant, has a BA in English Literature and Media Studies from the University of Winchester
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I’ve always loved working with people and being an organiser. As soon as
I graduated I looked at jobs in the M&E industry. There is something rewarding about being given a client brief and sorting out everything from travel to drinks receptions and conference agendas. I started working for a serviced office company called Orega, which enabled me to learn some fundamental skills, such as meeting room inventory management and customer service. I then worked at publishing company Haymarket where I was responsible for delivering events for internal brands. This included awards ceremonies and
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content-based educational events. It gave me the opportunity to learn the operational side of the M&E business. Currently I have more of a sales-led role. I am responsible for developing new business opportunities and working with existing clients. I source venues and accommodation, entertainment and technology, and attend networking events. You have to be very people focused and understand exactly what the customer wants. You have to be a bit of a yes-man sometimes, but that just means managing client expectations. Being organised and understanding budgets and spreadsheets are vital skills.
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BUSINESS TRAVEL
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