How to love the job you are in

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27: As I graduated from school, the question I pondered was, what will I do as a career?

That was quickly determined for me during the summer when I worked as a reservations agent for an airline.

The idea of becoming a travel consultant arose from the experience I received that summer assisting clients with their travel arrangements.

I love the day-to-day variety that comes with helping people with their travel needs: some people know exactly what they want and others like you to guide them in the right direction.

While certain customers may need suggestions for places to go and things to do — and of course, it has to be within their budget.

I was offered the opportunity to work for Franklin Travel and I learned about the travel industry through on-the- job training.

Training overseas as a travel agent specialist does not give you the hands-on training needed to work in the Bermuda market.

I continued to grow within the company and ultimately became the leisure travel manager.

After the company merged with Meyer Travel in 2002, we became Meyer-Franklin Travel.

I continued to develop my skills and was then afforded the position of general manager in 2008.

I have taken many courses to keep up with the necessary requirements to manage a full team of staff.

This is what I have been able to accomplish while juggling my family and professional roles, as well as finding time for myself.

As I look back, I am grateful for the help I have had from my family and work colleagues, who have also become a family.

We have grown together as a team, supporting each other both inside and outside of the office.

Young graduates today need to realize that an opportunity is there for everyone, and if you have good standards and work ethics you can reach your goal.

A good education is key and a positive attitude will get you a long way.

Remember the job is not about working for money but for the fulfilment it brings to your life.

Enjoying the work you do every day makes you a happier person.

Positivity

We all have challenges within our jobs; it is how you overcome these challenges, which is important.

As women we have those same challenges at home, and getting through them is what makes us stronger as individuals.

Start with a positive attitude; believe in yourself that you can achieve anything. 

This will not happen overnight, but if you take it one day at a time, you can achieve your goals. Time does change everything.

We become smarter and wiser by finding our way from within.

That old adage of working hard really does make a difference.

If you set your sights on those higher achievements and strive to accomplish them, then you too can reach the top in your field.

Kim Darrell is the general manager at Meyer-Franklin Travel. She joined the firm in 1986 when it was Franklin Travel. She can be reached on 292-9426 or [email protected].