Graham Locke, regional account manager,GETravel Insurance Services
Education: BAHonours Degree in Modern Languages/History at Anglia University in Cambridge.
First Travel Job: overseas courier for Eurocamp.
Training: training has been very much a hands-on affair where the learning curve is steep and individual needs are dealt with when they become apparent. Common sense and experience are really the most crucial elements.
Career Path: spent four seasons working overseas in a number of roles including camp-site representative and relief courier. Moved to International Medical Rescue as assistant co-ordinator, dealing with the repatriation of seriously ill clients, before moving to Hemmingways. Spent 18 months as specialist tour operator. Joined GETravel Insurance Services as regional account manager for travel insurance accounts in June 1998.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “Consider all options. Look for a position which will challenge you and that you also have an interest in, but keep your options open. No experience is ever wasted and you need to be travelled and have seen a bit of life. A prospective employer is always impressed if you can illustrate scenarios with aspects which form part of your own experiences. This can often be as important as academic qualifications.”