Danielle Richardson

Travel Advisor

Feeling stressed? Tired with the same old routine? Desperate for a holiday? Then Danielle Richardson can help.

Each day in her job as Travel Advisor at the Widnes branch of Co-Op Travel, Danielle advises people on what type of holiday would be suitable for them. 'We offer holidays to everywhere,' she says. 'Worldwide, European cruises, city breaks, skiing, adventure holidays - absolutely everything.'

Danielle says she caught the travel bug at school, inspired by her geography lessons. Initially she studied for an HND in Travel and Tourism, but found the course rushed and stressful. So, with the help of Training For Travel, she enrolled in a City & Guilds Apprenticeship in Travel and Tourism which she found more flexible and, crucially, allowed her to earn and learn at the same time!

'I preferred the Apprenticeship because I could actually get into the office and do the job,' explains Danielle. 'I liked the idea of doing a course and working at the same time. A City & Guilds is ideal because you can do it in your own time and set your own targets each month. It's still just as good a qualification as the HND and it isn't as rushed or stressful. Plus, you can get paid! The course is supposed to take three years, but I did mine in two. Our money goes up when we get our certificates so I wanted mine done.'

Danielle has determination and an outgoing personality. 'I enjoy meeting new people day in, day out. I'm determined. I want the sale so I'm prepared to be patient and sit and listen to customers' requirements. Then I can offer them an alternative.'

Variety is the spice of life and Danielle says no two days at work are the same. The job also feeds her creative side. 'I also play a large part in making sure the window display is correct and attractive,' she explains. 'I like the artistic side of that. I can get creative. I make sure the administration is dealt with in a methodical manner. I like everything really.'

Danielle loves the job so much that one day she hopes to run a travel business of her own. 'I definitely want to stay within the travel industry and take every opportunity to better my career,' she says. 'I see myself being a manager of my own branch one day and having a team of my own. But that comes with experience.'