In Search of Generation Next

It’s a job that’s challenging, rewarding and yes, even fun – and nobody wants it

Written by

BTE Think Tank

Published on

October 15, 2019

A professional recruitment-themed image with a futuristic interface. A blurred figure in business attire points to a hexagonal "JOIN US" button that is highlighted in blue. Surrounding the main button are other translucent hexagons displaying keywords such as "Recruitment," "Career," "Opportunities," "Application," and "Now Hiring." The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the interactive nature of the recruitment process.

My first job in the travel industry was delivering airline tickets to corporate clients. At that time I never thought I would still be in this business 32 years later. I have come to realize that there are two types of people in the travel business – those who stay forever and those who get out fairly quickly.

I know for many of us who have been in the business for decades, we were lured by the glamour of traveling the world – for free! Well, those days are long gone, and so is an influx of new people looking to make corporate travel a career. Who is going to take my place when I retire in (fingers crossed) less than a decade? Our industry is aging out and I worry about how we bring new blood into the business.

If you look at many hospitality training programs in colleges and universities, very few have classes on managing corporate travel; most of never even discuss it as a career. Why is that?

When I have had the chance to talk to the deans of these programs, I volunteer my time to spend at least one class period to share what corporate managed travel is and how it can be an amazing career. One woman connected with me on LinkedIn to tell me, “I have decided on a new career path!”

As an industry we need to think about ways to recruit new talent. And it won’t be with the promise of traveling the world for free. Should the larger industry associations start marketing to colleges and universities? Start offering curriculum? Or just do something more than what they are doing today?

Or does it even matter? We can just let procurement or finance, or an HR person just lead the tactical aspects of travel. It could become just another category to procure. Or we could continue to strive to elevate the role of corporate travel buyers within their organizations.

I don’t have the answers, but I would be remiss if I didn’t start asking the questions. I have 15 people who report to me and only one has expressed any desire to one day have my job and she is only 22. So, I have nine years left to nurture her, teach her, and groom her for what can be an amazingly rewarding career.

Throughout my career I have set many goals and I am proud to say that I have been lucky enough to have achieved them. Now my goal is to groom the next generation of travel buyers, even if it’s just one.

I have one question to ask my fellow travel buyers who have been around as long as I have: What are YOU doing to groom the next generation?

Categories: Special Reports | Travel Buyers Think Tank