If you’ve got the travel bug but you either don’t have the funds to go on a trip of a lifetime, or you’re just not sure where you want to go, why not consider blending two of your passions together; a career you love and a desire to see the world?
There are plenty of careers that offer travel opportunities. In 2018, 8 billion business trips were taken from workers in the UK. While the overall environment of travel might be a little different now thanks to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s safe to say that things will return to normal (or a new normal) at some point.
When that happens, and people are able to return to work, return to their daily commutes, and return to international travel, you can start looking toward your own future and how you might be able to combine your dream job with some of your dream locations.
So, what are some of the best jobs that will allow you to be a jet-setter and travel the globe?
Flight Attendant
This might seem obvious, but choosing a career as a flight attendant is one of the best ways to see the world.
Typically, flight attendants start out on domestic flights (ie; if you’re in the U.S., you’ll travel around the U.S., if you’re in the UK, you probably won’t leave Europe for a while). Eventually, though, you’ll be allowed on longer flights that go to international locations. You can cross so many countries off of your bucket list as a flight attendant, and experiences, too!
There will be times, of course, where you won’t have the opportunity to see all of the sights and experience everything a country has to offer. But, one of the great things about being a flight attendant is that there’s a good chance you’ll go back to that particular country multiple times.
If you’re wondering whether it’s the right position for you, there are a few qualities that a flight attendant should possess, including:
- The ability to stand for long hours
- Strength and stamina
- Customer service skills
- Knowledge of the airline industry
It can also be helpful to speak multiple languages as a flight attendant, though it often isn’t a requirement. There are also some drawbacks, including the fact that you’ll probably have to work random hours and would be away from home much of the time. But, if you’d rather be in the friendly skies than on the ground, it could be the perfect career opportunity for you.
Jobs in the Healthcare Industry
It would be impossible to pick just one job in the healthcare industry that allows for travel, so some of the most common ones are:
- Travel nurse
- Travel therapist
- Healthcare consultant
- Medical device/pharmaceutical sales rep
- Healthcare IT specialist
If you’ve always been interested in healthcare, it’s one of the best industries to get into. Thanks to advancements in technology and an ageing population, qualified healthcare workers are needed now more than ever.
Speaking of qualifications, you don’t necessarily need to spend 10+ years of your life going to school in order to work in the healthcare sector. There are many opportunities for jobs that require short-term training. Or, you can absolutely choose to go on a longer journey toward a Ph.D. or an MPH. Just what is an MPH? It stands for ‘Master of Public Health,’ and can help you to land a job as a public health educator, medical services manager, or even an infection control officer. As we’ve seen during this Coronavirus outbreak, that’s a job that is exceedingly crucial!
Travel Agent
There was a time over the last decade or so when it seemed as though travel agents may be fading out. After all, it’s easy to plan a trip online and book everything you need with just a few simple clicks.
But, the travel agency industry is making a big comeback in a different way. People who are looking to book an incredible trip want to know the ins and outs of what they can do, where they should stay, things they should try, etc.
Traditional travel agencies may not be able to keep up with the more “bespoke” trips people are looking for. If you want to be a travel agent, you shouldn’t sit behind a desk all day selling people pre-packaged vacations. You should have knowledge about the places you’re offering. That means going to those locations and experiencing them for yourself. The skills, experience, and knowledge you have as a travel agent will far surpass and schooling or training. Plus, how great would it be to travel the world as “research” for your job?
Business Consultant
Do you have a knack for business? Do you think you’d be good at handling international business or helping companies find their way out of industrial and financial problems?
You could be the perfect candidate for a career as a business consultant. Consultants travel the world, working with businesses that hire them to fix specialized, complex problems within specific industries.
Business consultants have to have extensive knowledge in certain fields, as well as strong communication skills. You have to be able to develop relationships with the businesses that want to work with you. Thanks to advancements in technology, business consultant careers are changing. While you can still work for a consulting firm, you might also find success in being an independent contractor and working for yourself.
Writer
It might sound like a dream, writing, or blogging and being able to travel the world, but it’s a reality for many writers who have the ability to work remotely – especially travel writers.
If you truly have a passion for travel and exploring, starting to work as a travel writer can combine the two worlds together in a unique and unforgettable way. There are so many opportunities for travel writers, which can often make it easy to find a job with a publication, or work as a freelancer.
As a travel writer, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a ‘niche’. For example, maybe you’ll want to explore remote villages and cultures across the world that not many people know about, bringing awareness to them. Maybe you want to write about the hottest vacation spots across the globe.
Or, maybe you’ll work to promote specific locations as you work with travel agencies and businesses that hire you as a freelancer to marketing their services, experiences, or locations. Whatever the case, being a travel writer gives you the opportunity to learn more about the world than most people will ever get the chance to. Thankfully, the whole point is to share your experiences with those who may not get to go through them on their own!
Don’t Settle for Stagnant
If there’s one thing to take away from this pandemic we’ve all been going through, it’s not to take things for granted. Life is worth living to the fullest, and although traveling for work might seem like a dream, it doesn’t have to be. Don’t settle for a job where you’re unhappy or a life that doesn’t bring you fulfilment.
There are plenty of other jobs and lucrative careers that will allow you the opportunity to see the world. Use these five options to get started on your search and follow your passions. Adventure is out there for anyone willing to take advantage of it. Being able to make a living while you’re doing it is truly just icing on the cake!