I mentioned in an earlier article that I used to be a travel writer. It wasn’t the right job for me. (Which is why that piece is called ‘Six signs you’re in the wrong job.’) However, I learned some very valuable career lessons from that gig. Travel will do that to you.

You exercise your brain and call upon more of your own inner resources when you are in unfamiliar settings. There is no functioning on auto-pilot when you are surrounded by strangers in an environment that you do not know. You get to know new people and places, sure, but more importantly, you get an honest look at yourself.

Perhaps that is why travelling becomes so addictive for some.

Many, many people reached out to me about that article, reacting mostly to the fact that I had been a travel writer. The idea of getting paid to travel struck a chord with many folks. So, if you are one of those who crave the constant change of scenery and dislike the thought of being cooped up in the same setting day after day, here are some career options to consider.

10 jobs for people who love to travel

Travel writer / Blogger

For those who’ve asked me, I’ve held two travel writing gigs. One was for a marketing company whose clients were restaurants, attractions, and accommodations at hotspots around the world. We would produce guidebooks about the destinations financed by the client ads. I wrote the ad copy as well the destination descriptions and reviews.

The other was writing up destinations for a more traditional guidebook company, one of the well-known travel guide companies that you’ll see in your local bookshop.

There is a demand for people with travel writing and Internet skills. Most of the times recruiters and other companies have tried to poach me from my job have been for travel-related enterprises and start-ups. The new trend in travel writing is the travel blogger.

One thing to keep in mind is that while everything about travel writing seems glamorous, the reality is much less so. You have to create a dreamy image of a place because that is what the audience – vacationing travelers – will want to see. However, you as the writer are doing your job, and it’s a lot of work covering as much territory as possible in as little time as the laws of physics allow.

This is true about the other jobs on this list too. They do offer the adventure of travel, packing and unpacking, moving from place to place. However, they are jobs, and travelling for work is no paid vacation.

Corporate gigs

My sister is a corporate trainer for a major technology company. Although she lives a block from me, I rarely see her because she is always out of town. For one thing, the firm has large offices in Boston and New York, so she is often there for meetings, updates, and events. Then of course there are the clients. As the fluently bilingual head of training for Canada, she is constantly flying to onsite client trainings from coast to coast both in Canada and south of the border. Corporate trainer jobs on Workopolis.

Similarly, event planners often have to travel onsite to scout locations, book local vendors and service providers, and of course oversee the successful execution of the occasion itself. Event planner jobs on Workopolis.

Auditors often travel to different locations, spending days or weeks onsite at various client locations verifying records and ensuring accuracy in financial statements. Auditor jobs.

Consultants of all stripes who provide their services to a variety of clients also find themselves traveling to where the work is.

Travel industry professionals

Being a flight attendant is one of the most sought-after jobs in Canada. When these positions are advertised they receive a disproportionately high number of applications compared to just about any other role in a similar region. View some flight attendant jobs on Workopolis. And why not? Not only do flight crew travel for work and get to meet new people from all over the world every day, but they generally also get one of the travel industry’s major perks: free air travel on their own time as well.

Airline pilots receive similar perks with considerably higher salaries. Pilots consistently make the list of highest paid jobs in Canada. Here are some pilot jobs on Workopolis.

Tour guides for locally based travel companies frequently travel on-site with the client groups be they on sightseeing trips, ski excursions, or eco tours. Cruise ships, hotels, and resorts often hire seasonal staff for peak travel periods.

Travel industry jobs on Workopolis.

English teacher

Another popular choice for Canadians looking to see the world is teaching abroad. A surprising amount of my university cohorts went this route after graduation. I have friends who’ve taught in Japan, Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The requirements are generally native fluency in English and a Bachelor’s degree. Some schools also require a TESL (Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language) certificate.

Media jobs

There are also many, many jobs in media that require/allow opportunities for travel. These include photographers and journalists, production teams on television and movie shoots, sound and light technicians for events and shows. People have to chase down stories and images, scout locations, travel with the show/shoot.

Arts, media, and entertainment jobs on Workopolis.

 

See also:

6 jobs for people who love to travel
5 great networking apps for business travellers
6 great last-minute Thanksgiving getaways

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