Trip Leader Opportunities

   

National Geographic Student Expeditions, in conjunction with our partner Putney Student Travel, is seeking extraordinary people to work as trip leaders on our expeditions in the summer of 2008. If you are interested in working with us this summer, please acquaint yourself with the expeditions on this website, take a look at the Eligibility Requirements and How to Apply sections on this page, then send your resume and cover letter to .

In addition to the destinations listed on this website, Putney Student Travel may have other leadership opportunities available. If you are interested in other destinations or areas of focus, please email us at for more information.

Eligibility Requirements

Our trip leaders are recent college graduates, graduate students, and educators – who must be able to motivate and energize students in a wide range of situations and settings. Due to the high degree of independence and responsibility granted, excellent personal leadership skills and the ability to handle multiple ongoing tasks are crucial. The expeditions require extensive close-up interaction with students; the ability to inspire, lead, mentor, counsel, and set limits are all very important.

Requirements for National Geographic Student Expeditions trip leaders:

a. College graduate
b. Proficient in the language(s) spoken in country
c. Spent time traveling/studying/living in the country
d. Extensive experience with one of the On Assignment specialties on which the program focuses.
e. Certified in Basic First Aid and CPR by the start of the program

When to Apply

We are accepting resumes now and interview the majority of our candidates from January through March. We travel throughout the U.S. at this time and we will invite you to do an in-person interview with us if your skills match our needs.

If you are interested in working as a trip leader on one of our expeditions this summer, we encourage you to submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible. Once you've contacted us we'll be in touch regarding the next steps.

Our goal is to finish our hiring decisions by the end of March. There are sometimes individual positions left to fill at that time, so please feel free to continue to apply through mid-May.

Applying for more than one position

You may apply for more than one position, and we may also consider you for positions you haven't applied for depending on your specific skills. When applying to be a trip leader for one of our expeditions, you are considered for all positions for which you are qualified.

Whether you are applying for one or more than one position, you only need to send one copy of your resume and cover letter. If we invite you to interview with us, we will discuss all leadership possibilities during that time.

Please indicate in your cover letter the specific positions for which you feel MOST qualified and in which you are MOST interested. You may also use your cover letter to elaborate on the skills you have that would make you a good candidate for each specific position.