An aspiring travel agent in Nebraska can take several steps to make their dreams a reality. For starters, they can dedicate the time to choosing and completing a training program.
They can also consider networking arrangements and professional opportunities for rapid career advancement. The following sections help candidates get closer to achieving all of these objectives by laying them out in a way that is straightforward to understand.
We also provide important resources containing the best institutions and programs to launch a thriving travel agent career in Nebraska. Lastly, the guide rounds up with a detailed analysis of the annual average salary of travel agents in the state and the factors that affect the numbers.
How to Become a Travel Agent in Nebraska
Candidates in Nebraska can follow the approach below to launch a successful travel agent career.
Educational Pathways
The following are the educational considerations to make to become a successful travel agent in Nebraska:
Training Institution
Obviously, candidates must decide on their ideal destination for training. However, in this regard, there are two broad choices: academic programs and “on-the-job” programs.
Trade schools and technical colleges usually offer academic programs, such as travel agent training programs and general Tourism, Hospitality, and Travel programs.
Travel firms, host agencies, and professional associations offer on-the-job programs.
Training Duration
For academic training, students may choose short-term programs to start their careers as quickly as possible or long-term programs to receive more robust education and higher degrees.
Those who choose short-term programs may graduate with a certificate, while those who choose a long-term program may earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Employment & Networking
After training, prospective travel agents in Nebraska can obtain employment through host agencies. Fresh candidates are advised to join host agencies as it will give them access to existing IATA numbers, booking tools, marketing resources, and more.
Candidates will also benefit greatly from networking through professional associations, as outlined below.
Explore trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
After training, travel agents in Nebraska can start working professionally without having to seek permission or undergo registration with a state/local agency. This is because the law does not mandate licensing or certification from these professionals before they can start working.
That said, although mandatory, certification is very popular among travel agents. In addition to giving them an extra layer of credibility, certification helps them acquire more skills and build a strong network of peers and professionals in related areas.
Some certification bodies and/or professional organizations capable of offering all of these benefits and more include the Travel Institute, the American Society of Travel Advisors, the International Air Transport Association, and the Travel Industry Designator Service.
Top Travel Agent Schools in Nebraska
The entries below are among the top programs for aspiring travel agents in Nebraska.
University of Nebraska Omaha
Online, NE Online Only
The University of Nebraska Omaha's online training program covers transportation fundamentals, career development, and marketing/sales for travel. It utilizes multiple textbooks, videos, and test-based training resources.
Tuition
$2,245 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE Online Only
Central Community College's program for future travel agents is the TRIPKIT Travel Agent Certification program.
Tuition
$1,200 per ProgramContact
(308) 398-7441
cwegi@cccneb.edu
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE Campus Only
Lastly, the University of Nebraska Lincoln's Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program can also help candidates start careers as travel agents in Nebraska. It offers 120 credit hours of instruction and multiple tracks.
Tuition
$10,434 - $29,080 per YearContact
(402) 472-0695
ddelaporte2@unl.edu
Explore travel agent schools in Nebraska by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Thanks to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for travel agents in Nebraska is on track to continue increasing for the next decade. The bureau expects a 3% increase and thousands of job openings nationwide during this period.
As for current earnings, a fresh travel agent in Nebraska just starting their career can expect to end the year with an average salary of around $10. With time and with factors like location, credentials, host agency, and marketing in their favor, they can improve their earnings rapidly.
They may land among the median earners, taking home an annual average salary of $10, or eventually among the highest-paid in the state whose annual average returns hover around $10 or even more.
Lastly, focusing on location, London is the city with the highest annual average returns for travel agents in Nebraska, with an average annual salary of $10. Also among the top three are London, which has an annual average salary of $10, and London, which has an annual average salary of $10.