If you love the idea of travelling the world but are not sure if you can afford it, why not marry your career with your love of travel? There’s no reason why you can’t have both. Here are some career options that will allow you to travel:
This might not be the best-paid job in the world but it will afford you the opportunity to travel. If money is not that important to you and you consider yourself a wordsmith, this could be a good option for you. Often travel writers are sponsored by specific destinations, tourism authorities or resorts.
In 2009, Tourism Queensland made headlines around the globe when it advertised “the best job in the world”. Benefits included a large salary, luxury accommodation on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and transport between the islands. All you had to do was maintain a website with web videos, blogs and photo diaries of your experience. They received more than 35 000 applications and eventually Ben Southall from the UK got the coveted job.
You don’t have to be a writer to travel. No matter what your specialty is, there are large multi-national companies that offer employees travel opportunities. This may be in the course of your work, for example, training opportunities in other countries or you could be an executive manager in charge of several regions.
If English is your mother tongue, this is not a skill to be taken lightly. TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) teachers are in high demand around the globe. The top five most popular teaching destinations are Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Dubai. You can enjoy benefits such as fully furnished accommodation and a paid annual return flight home. Use the opportunity to travel to other places nearby. The lucrative salaries range from US$3000 to US$5 000 a month in Dubai (tax-free!) to US$2 000 to US$3 000 a month in Vietnam.
The incredible array of connectivity available to you today means that you do not necessarily have to be desk-bound. Careers that you can manage online on a freelance basis include illustrator, website designer, marketing, consulting and even basic admin work. If you are not sure about approaching clients, use a website such as Elance.com to find work opportunities suitable for your expertise.
If you really enjoy spending time with kids, you can use this to your advantage. Offer to au pair for a family abroad. Check upfront what your duties will include and make sure you get this in writing. Some families may require little more than homework supervision and chauffeuring the children to various extramurals while other families will expect you to look after their children, cook their meals and clean the house. Go through a reputable agency to ensure you are not taken advantage of.
These are just five ideas but they are the tip of the iceberg. The thing is, if you really want to travel, there are numerous ways to do it and get paid too. Identify your strengths, do the research and the world could be your playground.