Education · 1 of 4

The path

Almost nobody trains for this before getting hired. You get hired, then you train.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   History, geography, drama and any language. Being comfortable speaking to a group matters more than marks.

2. 2

   Apply for a season

   Winter before

   Tour companies, museums, parks and historic sites hire for summer in the winter before, often January to March. Apply early.

3. 3

   Company training

   1 to 3 weeks

   One to three weeks learning the route, the script, the safety plan and how to handle a group of 40 people who all want the washroom.

4. 4

   Work a season, then another

   1 to 3 seasons

   Guides are rehired on reputation. Two good seasons gets you lead guide and first pick of tours.

5. 5

   Specialize or go year round

   Year 2 onward

   Multi-day tours, a second language, cruise ship shore excursions, or a guiding business of your own.