Check Out Michelle Shepherd’s Story

Hello, I’m Michelle Shepherd. I’m an Electrical Engineer and a Travel Advisor.

I’ve worked as an Engineer in the Electric Utility Industry for 20+ years. Working as an independent contractor in Nuclear Power over the past 10 years has allowed me to travel and work in different places such as Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Because I have had an affinity for travel for as long as I can remember, I started working as a travel advisor in 2023 after a childhood friend convinced me to enter the travel profession. Since then, I’ve started my own travel business, Engineered to Travel, and have had the time of my life working as a travel advisor and travel writer!

Although I currently work as both an Engineer and a Travel Advisor, my goal is to work solely as a Travel Professional soon.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Beginning my career as a Travel Professional has been a smooth road and I’ve met amazing people that are helping me figure things out along the way. There isn’t a clear road map on how to start your own travel business or how to transition from one career to another, but I work with mentors inside and out of the industry that have helped me set SMART goals.
I am also an active member of Cruise Lines International Association, CLIA, and The

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The skills that I have learned as an Engineer have helped me tremendously as a Travel Professional. I am known for my attention to detail and being very observant and analytical. As a travel advisor, I use the same rigor that I use as an engineer, in researching and planning vacations. Whether that means reading reviews, finding the best plane seat, studying the ship layout, or calling hotels several times to make sure everything is as expected. My job is to save the client time and eliminate stress associated with their travel. My niche is ocean and river cruising- both premium and luxury. I offer various services depending on the client’s needs. Additionally, I offer travel insurance. I can simply book travel, or plan all aspects of a trip including logistics, tours, and dinner recommendations.

I love traveling all over the world so I can provide my clients with first hand knowledge of destinations. I want them to know I have better insight than an internet search and I am not someone behind a desk recommending places that I know nothing about or would never travel myself.
I travel all the time, personally as well as professionally. I go on familiarization trips with travel suppliers so that I can provide invaluable insight to my clients. I love to share pictures on social media to show others the benefits of travel. Traveling the world allows you to not only see new places and experience different cultures, but you also learn a lot about yourself. I’ve found that it can lead to self-discovery, reveal new interests, create new relationships, and even a sense of purpose.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes, always seek out a mentor and network in whatever field or industry you are in. I have never been afraid to say that I don’t know something and ask for help. That has worked well for me. Being transparent about your needs and open to learning from others is key.