The 10 Best Jobs for People Who Want to Travel
For those of you who spend every waking hour of the day filled with wanderlust, dreaming about travelling to different countries or relocating all over the world, we’ve compiled a list of jobs that allow you to travel across the globe, while earning yourself some money!
1. Bartender
A popular choice for many, especially young travellers or expats, as bar work does not require a lot of previous experience or any qualifications. Many either bartend while travelling or do a block of bar work at home to earn enough money to travel abroad for the rest of the year.
Pros: no qualifications needed, increased sociability within the job, likely to make new friends and experience local night life, tips!
Cons: not great pay, long night hours which are unsociable for those with families or out of work relationships, dealing with customers at the end of the night
2. English Teacher
English is one of the world’s most spoken languages, so there is always a demand for people who can teach it. Most of these jobs require a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification but once this is complete, the jobs are easy to find. Popular destinations for prospective teachers include Japan, South Korea, South America and Spain.
Pros: rewarding, become immersed in local culture, free or discounted accommodation, potential to learn a new language
Cons: requires qualifications and training, low pay, lack of opportunities for career growth, may have to commit to a year’s contract
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3. Flight Attendant
Being part of an airline crew is the classic choice, it is highly accessible and there are great opportunities to see many parts of the world. However, time is spent mostly inside a plane, airport or hotel and many are put off such a demanding customer service role.
Pros: days off to explore destinations, reasonable pay, free flights!
Cons: usually six weeks unpaid training, required to be presentable and helpful to all customers at all times, long hours
4. Oil & Gas industry
One of the highest paying fields for both skilled and unskilled workers, with plenty of opportunity to travel whether you fulfil a position in exploration or production. Roles include the potential to be a researcher, a roustabout or an engineer on both on deep sea drilling rigs and international refineries.
Pros: well paid, for people of all levels of education, opportunities for career growth
Cons: contributing to corporations who are harmful to the environment, work is usually manual, long periods away
5. Freelance anything/remote developer
Being ‘freelance’ anything is fairly competitive, especially if you desire a high salary that allows you to travel or be abroad. However, due to advances in technology, companies are far more open to allowing developers, writers and photographers to work from almost anywhere in the world, as long as they have remote access to systems.
Pros: travel and work from anywhere, freedom to work whenever, day or night
Cons: requires a lot of self-discipline, can be quite lonely, responsible for own success/failure
6. Travel nurse
For those in the medical field, becoming a travel nurse is a popular option. Travel nurses are well paid and in worldwide demand, so medical professionals can wear scrubs on any continent they wish. The nursing assignments vary in length, pay for accommodation and provide insurance benefits.
Pros: high hourly pay, rewarding, good for those who seek adventure
Cons: requires medical qualifications and experience, high stress environment, placements are often subject to change e.g. relocation
7. Nanny / Au Pair
Being a full-time nanny or Au Pair is a job that requires a passion for working with children and a lot of patience. However, the cultural rewards are large as most roles require living with foreign families and employees can gain first-hand experience of the local culture and customs. Great for those who have a spare summer, as this is usually the period of time that nannies and au pairs are most desired.
Pros: Lots of time to tour the local area, free accommodation and food
Cons: Pay is minimal, au pairs are never officially “off duty”, sharing a home with strangers can be difficult
8. Cruise ship employee
Whether you see yourself as a chef, waitress, housekeeper, performer or musician; cruise ships can offer months of work, most of the year. Not great for those who are a seasick, but do consider if you crave pit-stops at some of the world’s most exotic locations. The daily sunsets across the open seas are not something many forget!
Pros: free accommodation and food, luxury facilities, opportunities to explore key destinations
Cons: boat bound for a long amount of time, long shifts, low pay, lack of career growth
9. Roadie
It is unlikely that all of us will become performing rock stars or world famous musicians, but being the roadie on a world tour isn’t a bad option for those of us who don’t make the hall of fame. Roadies are often technicians, sound engineers or crew members, who support the acts performing on stage. This job requires physical strength, but if you’re a music enthusiast, this is a small price to pay to get backstage passes to some of the best concerts and venues across the globe.
Pros: crew relationships, not a 9-5, free food and stay, no uniform restrictions (blue hair and piercings if you want!)
Cons: hauling pieces of metal staging, living and working in close proximity to others 24/7, late load-out nights and early load-in mornings
10. Peace Corps
Working within a Peace corporation is an intense travel occupation. Most people have to commit to a 27-month contract abroad and have to live in conditions stripped of modern luxuries. This type of living is foreign to what most people are accustomed to and can be tough. However, many work with sustainable development and disease prevention in poorer communities which can be extremely rewarding.
Pros: Give back to others, learn a new way of life, get to see the true nature of a place away from tourism, likely to learn a new language
Cons: Poor wage, not great living standards, long contracts