30 Under 30: Meet Karen Musgrave

Unlike many in the industry, Karen Musgrave hadn’t initially planned a career in travel. A childhood spent holidaying in nearby European destinations because her mother has a severe phobia of flying meant that, when the now 28-year-old accepted a role at Barrhead Travel six years ago, she hadn’t even left the continent.

“Travel wasn’t on the horizon for me and I hadn’t expected to fall into it,” she says, explaining that she studied English literature and Spanish at university and previously worked at a jeweller. “I came into the industry not knowing much, but now I can’t imagine not being a part of it.”

Musgrave’s career progression at Barrhead has seen her rise through the ranks across five roles including marketing executive, PR and social media manager, and the position she’s in now, PR and communications manager.

GAINING CONFIDENCE

This latest and current role involves managing Barrhead’s internal and external communications, from keeping staff up to date with changes in travel guidance and coordinating media enquiries to organising and attending press trips to showcase the agency’s dynamically packaged product.

“The good thing about Barrhead Travel is that they give us freedom, trust and independence in our roles, and my confidence has grown professionally and personally,” says Musgrave, who has now ticked off destinations such as India and Singapore during press trips over the years.

“I never thought that what I studied would bring me down this path, but it did and I’m glad it did.”