There's always going to be a demand for travel services. Sure, the industry is in flux as there are more opportunities to "book your own" travel from your home computer. But we've yet to see an electronic booking service that's as effective as a good travel agent.

Plus, the field is growing. The expanding global economy is spurring an increase in business travel. And, barring another Gulf War, vacation travel is not going away.

What They Do:

Depending on a client's needs, travel agents make any necessary arrangements for transportation, hotels, tours, etc. They also offer advice on destinations, restaurants, and sightseeing. They help international travelers navigate the tangle of required visas, passports, vaccinations, currency exchange, etc.

Dealing with these details sometimes means tedious hours in front of a computer screen coping with slow networks of computer reservation systems. On the other hand, there's an almost poetic nexus between the mathetmatical problem-solving demands of coordinating schedules, flights, and prices, and the personal demands of a client's whims and idiosyncrasies.

If the prospect of sitting behind a desk bums you out, consider a variation on the travel agent theme: become a travel guide. Travel guides (often self-employed) custom-design a vacation for their client -- and then, they get paid to actually travel with the client, acting as a guide, and making sure the vacation runs smoothly.

Why It's Cooler Than It Sounds:

Travel. Travel. Travel. Think about it, plan it, do it.

What they earn:

For those with less than one year experience (in 1992): $12,428 With more than ten years of experience (in 1992): $25,007

How to begin:

Many companies require their travel agents to complete some sort of formal training course. These are widely available through community colleges (or even correspondence courses). Any personal travel experience or talent for foreign languages is very useful for a travel agent. If you're thinking of working for a travel book publisher or becoming a travel guide, knowledge of foreign languages and travel experience are virtually indispensable.