USATP Blog //
Monday, August 31, 2009
So long, summer
It can’t be over. Really? All summer? Gone in a flash.
I’ve been out West just about all summer, seven long tours completed just in time to wake up today and realize September starts tomorrow. I’m one of the lucky ones, one Tour Pro that found work throughout the summer when all my friends and fellow Tour Pros seemed to either be on a beach, fly fishing, climbing a mountain, spending time with family. I know, I read their Facebook pages, their updates of frolicking in the sun and laying on beaches, BBQin’ with buddies or catching up on the latest “must read” as they relaxed in a hammock. And yet, it’s not all bad because I wanted and needed to work and I did. And so many others, in the same situation, found their search for work a futile, daily grind that often ended in frustration.
As our calendars flip to autumn, many Tour Pros still are searching for opportunities, especially, those that have just begun in this profession. What a lousy time to be excited about getting started. I am asked, almost daily, “Do you know of anyone in need of a TD for the Fall Foliage season?” And, unfortunately, I don’t. Or, even when I do, the number of opportunities are much fewer than in the last six years. And what will the 2010 tour season bring?
Summer always seems like a time when hope runs highest, possibilities seem endless, and it always feels like a great time to dream of a better time ahead. As the weather slowly changes and the days get shorter, the darkness creeps up on us. And for those searching for a break, the chances of it happening seem far less then they felt when the sun was directly overhead. Clouds have a way of dampening optimism.
But, those who planned to be successful in this field need to stay the course, continue the search and remember to get their name out their as often as possible. USA Tour Pros has been able to connect many Tour Pros with companies and opportunities throughout our 19 months online and we’re committed to doing a better job moving forward. A recent training school grad from summer 2008 told me there were 36 people in her class, and TWO are actively looking to stay in the business just one year later. The economic hardships faced by her classmates and the reality of a collapsing tour industry within the past year were the afternoon clouds blocking out the rays of sunshine on their new professional dream. Staying motivated for a better tomorrow is harder work than she ever expected.
As the last quarter of 2009 plays out, those who never really had the “stuff” it takes to make it through stormy skies will fall by the wayside. Others who figured this was going to be challenging, at the least, and temporarily disappointing, at worst, will hang in there. The only Tour Pros who survive will be those who were willing to constantly promote themselves and to seek more networking opportunities every day.
Anyone can make it through a summer. Autumn, is another story.
Commentary · (1) Comments · (204) Views · Permalink
By fboronski
Hi, All,
A breather before my last tour (with 9 people) and had a chance to catch up on the blog. Can’t remember a prettier stretch of color in New England until the heavy rains came. Got out just in time.
You needed to see leaves to know it was fall. No lines anywhere. Sometimes one or 2 other buses at Cannon Mt. Less than that at the flume. Seldom met a bus at the Kanc. Most buses in one place at one time: four.
And Yankee Candle had reduced staff and hours, opening at 10Am. Lots of places that usually give us a separate room for breakfast had us eat in the dining room. Staff people in hotels wait to be called in.
Meanwhile, back at home, I was booked for two student tours (three days each) in June and was cancelled two weeks ago. Apparently the call went out and nobody showed up to hear about it, leave a deposit, etc.
So why the litany of diminished business…because it is time to go to plan B, keep hustling, knock on doors for any kind of work, get substitute teacher papers in order and make your own spaghetti sauce.
I got very few calls for sub teaching last fall. More coming when I was gone this month, probably due to Flu and conservative approach to staying home if a teacher is not feeling well.
Speaking of Flu, anyone feeling down and disappointed in getting started with a career in tour directing with fall foliage tours or any other kind of tours should take care to keep immune system strong. 9-11 tour veterans know this. So take up some kind of exercise, avoid negative people as much as you can, stay healthy and know: this too shall pass.
Met a woman in the hotel we start at who had interviewed with ITMI. According to her, she was told ITMI offered “placement” I quickly disabused her of that notion for all grads and suggested that given the cost, she might want to defer her attendance to a better economic time, unless she was prepared for a slow start. When I told her that costs of Symp should be factored in, she was surprised. So if you are going to the Symposium, go with the best health and attitude you can, knowing that you are making an investment in your future by making contacts. Some may get work…but this is not an “offer on the spot” year. And use this forum when you need a lift. Knowing you are not alone helps.
Fran