Everyday life always gets in the way of travel. Your boss wants a 20-page report on his desk by Monday, but you can only think about walking 20 steps to the beach in the morning during your island vacation. Wandering the streets of Florence or looking up at the clear skies from among the beautiful architecture of Quebec always takes a back seat. Now imagine traveling all the time and getting paid for it. Replace concerns of deadlines and uncomfortable business meetings with thoughts of your next new destination. Apply for these gigs and soon only concerns of deciding what to pack for your trip will weigh on your mind.
Check out these top 10 jobs that allow you to travel.
1. Flight Attendant
A flight attendant travels every day, beginning and ending the job description. This job lets you travel during off-hours, too. Besides seeing the world from tiny airplane windows, flight attendants spend their nights in awesome cities around the country. Depending on the airline, you might even fly to international hotspots you can explore in your downtime. Social butterflies who don’t mind sharing tight quarters with others (planes get cramped) will excel at this job. You pick your flight schedule. And the longer you work with an airline, the more freedom you have to choose where you end up. Trips range from immediate roundtrips to multi-day overnight excursions. If your family has been flying Delta since you can remember, start there. Plus, enjoy jealousy-inspiring travel benefits. Flight attendants receive discounts on personal flights, free standby tickets and savings on cruises and hotels.
2. Travel Blogger
Social media fanatics rejoice. Bring your followers along on all of your adventures by working as a travel blogger. The beginning of a blog can feel slow as you grow readership, but sticking with it pays off. “Keep doing it even if you don’t see a huge response at first…It will come in time,” said author of travel blog Yung Adventure Jeff Krammer. Enjoy the freedom to go anywhere you want, so long as it makes a worthy story. “[Blogging] not only allows me to write down my feelings and reflect on my adventures and learn from those lessons, but it also helps others,” Krammer continued. Feeling inspired to start your own? Begin your journey through WordPress for a cheap, easy way to blog.
3. Anthropologist
If school hasn’t completely sucked away your soul yet, you may want to look into becoming an anthropologist. Learning about new places and people in a hands-on way beats reading about ancient cultures in your history textbook. Travel the world and document how different cultures function. “[Anthropological] fieldwork usually requires travel for four to eight weeks…[It] could lead to many exotic adventures,” Assistant Director for Career Advising and Counseling at Florida State University Career Center, Joshua Morgan said. Visit O*Net to see how best to apply for this job. See historic Japanese villages in person as you document how residents lived. Elect to stay in one place for an extended time to delve deep into a specific culture and enjoy international travel without an erratic flight itinerary. Visit the American Anthropological Association (AAA) to learn more.
4. Translator
Do you often find your bilingual brain blurting out jumbled sentences with words from different languages? Become the only path of communication between two people who don’t speak the same language by working as a translator. “Some translators are employed in a traditional office setting, while others are self-employed and can travel as often as they would like to provide services in domestic and foreign locations,” said Jackie Belle, Assistant Director for Career Advising and Counseling at Florida State University Career Center. Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information. Translating encourages traveling from day one by preferring applicants who spent time in the country they apply to translate in. A Parisian client will prefer a translator who has spent time finding their way around French cities over someone who read A Tale of Two Cities. If you know a foreign language, this career leads to a lifetime of worldwide travel. Consider working for Lionbridge to begin your new life as a working traveler.
5. Travel Nurse
You’ve always had a thing for Grey’s Anatomy, even with the gruesome operation scenes. Travel nurses get to do the same work at hospitals for a short time before relocating to a new facility. “Short-term [can be] four to 13 weeks or long-term [can be] one to two years,” said Leah Sibbitt, Assistant Director for Career Advising and Counseling at the FSU Career Center. This job allows you to rapidly travel from one area to the next. Work with FlexCare Medical Staffing and find yourself all over the country. Save John in Baton Rouge one week before switching locations and curing Rosie in Savannah. Avoid staying in one workspace too long by moving to different hospitals that need your awesome skills.
6. Non-Governmental Organization Worker
Helping others never goes out of style. Working with NGOs like Amnesty International or the Peace Corps gives you an opportunity to balance your wanderlust and desire to help others. Amnesty International works to ensure and protect basic human rights. Check for chapter organizations on your campus to get involved before graduating. “[Amnesty International is] extremely fulfilling because we work on both international and domestic issues,” said Ciara Bennesse, a Legislative Coordinator for Florida from the Florida State University Amnesty International chapter. She added her job includes attending regional conferences to discuss issues like DACA (Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals), gun violence and LGBT rights. Joining an NGO like Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders or the Red Cross Foundation lets you fight injustice head-on.
7. Consultant
Great at solving problems? “Consultants are professional problem solvers who work with companies and organizations,” said Erica Stallings, Program Director for Career Advising and Counseling at the FSU Career Center. Work with PricewaterhouseCoopers and go from the jazzy streets of New Orleans working on management decisions to the dazzling lights of New York City in the same month. Get paid to help make decisions for companies and have the travel and accommodations paid for by your firm. “Most…provide housing and lodging, a meal allowance, rental cars, sabbaticals and frequent-flier miles as support for employee travel,” Stallings added. This job takes you around the world so you can try that rolled ice cream your friends keep Instagramming directly from its source. Find out more about this in-demand career with Vault.
8. Cruise Line Worker
Take to the sea like Jack Dawson and make a living without ever having to walk on solid land. Choose from dozens of jobs aboard a cruise ship like entertainer, caterer or engineer. Make money traveling the world and meeting people you wouldn’t meet in any other way. Your living quarters come furnished and the cruise line covers the cost of your meals. To top it off, you can snag awesome discounts on cruise tickets for your friends and family. Just make sure you don’t have a tendency toward seasickness before signing up. Check out Carnival Cruise Lines and see what part of the ship you fit the best.
9. Foreign Service Officer
Picture yourself dipping your toes into the blue waters one day only to step off into the crunch of snow the next. Working for the government means tons of travel to meet with offices around the world. If familial development interests you, scoop up a position working as an adoption facilitator. Travel around to meet potential parents and facilitate a smooth adoption transition period. Or put your political skills to the test as a diplomat, traveling internationally to communicate with other governments, NGOs and academics about foreign policy. “[There are] worldwide opportunities connecting with the global community, communicating U.S. foreign policy and exploring different cultures while living and working overseas,” said Emily Kennelly, Senior Assistant Director at the FSU Career Center. Start by checking out USAJOBS and Handshake to get your new career underway.
10. International English Teacher
If you’ve read this far, we can assume you have decent fluency in English. Teaching English overseas lets you travel while making a difference in children’s lives. Depending on the program you select, you will have plenty of time to explore your neighboring country’s capital or the magical park you’ve heard so much about. “I have been all over [Israel] and explored its different customs and amazing history…I also had the opportunity to go to different countries in Europe because of the very reasonably priced plane tickets,” said Jack Fuchsman, who has taught English in Israel for almost a year. Check out the Masa Program if teaching in Israel in particular interests you. Working as an ESL teacher satisfies your inner traveler while meeting adorable kids all over the world.
