It’s here! The 50% Certification Scholarships!
This year, The Travel Institute celebrates 60 years as the gold standard of travel education, so this opportunity to offer scholarships has never meant more. At times, advisors postpone their learning, saying they already know their jobs, or they don’t have the time. If either of those situations sounds familiar, we ask you to read the following article written by our president Diane Petras, CTIE, and consider the many benefits of earning your certification.
It is more than experience: While there is no replacement for the education you receive from on-the-job experience, it is not the end of learning. Experience can make you strong in some areas, but not all, and certification brings new skills, ideas, and opportunities. You don’t know what you don’t know, so try something new. I am reminded of this when seasoned professionals make these kinds of comments about our certification courses:
- Wish I had taken these courses last year! I learned so much about managing my team.
- My company is implementing new software, and this course showed me how to deal with my frustrations. Really well done!
- This comprehensive series was well delivered, and I have 10 legal pad pages of notes!
- As CEO, I face complex leadership challenges, and these CTIE courses have helped.
- I just finished the CTA and made some changes in my business due to the training! What a game changer if every agent was required to go through it.
It is a brand differentiator: When customers inquire, employers interview, or peers compare—the competition is stiff. But, if you are certified, and others are not, then you have a competitive advantage. It is a very powerful—and visible—way to set yourself apart from the novices in our industry. Use it and promote it. If you need help promoting your certification, we have many tools for you!
It is membership in an elite community: Your credentials plug you into an exclusive community of insight and knowledge with others who have earned certification. When you are at a conference or networking event, seek them out, exchange business cards and use this peer group to build your business. If you are studying for certification, take advantage of study groups and test prep webinars. Stay connected to your classmates throughout your career. Networking is critical to personal growth and business development.
It builds confidence: I remember asking a recent graduate how she felt after earning her CTA, and she said, “I just feel so much more confident in myself and feel good when I can help others in my office.” When you make a commitment to yourself, put together a plan, work hard and reach your goal, you gain confidence. It is one of those YES! moments, and that positive attitude spills over into all aspects of your life. You may even notice new body language! Start using your power as soon as you graduate.
It makes you a better mentor: First you see one, then you become one, and then you teach one. Just like the CTA graduate mentioned above, you are in a better position to help others. Always remember who inspired you and do the same. Mentorship is a two-way street. No one learns more than the teacher, and the lessons you teach will remind you to take your own advice.
It brings you more money: Ah yes, the holy grail. Many of our students see earnings increase 20% or more after they graduate. When you learn more, you earn more. Certification builds the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to take risks, improve marketing, revise business plans and take action.
To learn more about our certification programs and details on how to apply for 50% Certification Scholarships, join Guida Botelho, CTIE, TOMORROW at 3:00 p.m. (ET) for her webinar, explaining all you need to know!
Make 2024 the “Year of You.” Start now.
Please consider backing The Travel Institute’s nonprofit mission to provide top-tier education to all travel professionals. Join us in volunteering your expertise to empower both aspiring and seasoned professionals in the industry to flourish and succeed.
