Travel Jobs: Good or Bad – What’s Your Take?

​This week’s post is a fairly short one, with the purpose of creating discussion. Over the years I’ve read all about the different types of jobs that can lead to travel opportunities. I chose the hospitality industry so that I could (maybe one day) have the opportunity to travel through work, and perhaps reap the benefits associated with these types of roles. But are these so-called ‘travel perks’ really worth it? I’d like to hear it from you!

​Most of the articles I’ve read seem to focus on jobs that are seasonal, with modest salaries and limited travel within the area (until you decide to move on to another job that is). Most positions tend to lean towards the service trades and labour industries (bartenders, flight attendants, scuba instructors, au pair, apple pickers, freelance jobs) or entrepreneurial ventures (graphic designer, massage therapist, photographer, you get the idea…). And, yes you certainly get to travel while taking on these roles, but can’t you technically travel through pretty much any profession? Even if it’s not directly related to travel? 

(Photo credit of www.justonewayticket.com)

​Now it could be my rational brain talking, but I put more value in the pros associated with finding a stable (non-seasonal) position at home base and just saving up to take time off to travel than pursuing some of these travel professions. Don’t get me wrong – some of these career choices sound like a lot of fun! And I’m sure some people thrive on these kinds of roles; those travellers who are social butterflies and find it easy to make new friends, who ‘go with the flow’ (have flexible schedules), and who are outgoing/assertive/competitive must have a blast. And the successful ones make it seem so easy! But, as a person who doesn’t associate very closely with the above characteristics, I can’t see myself ever being an ‘on-going global worker’… The cons I can list are endless and never being able to establish a regular client base, never having a sense of ‘home’ (or seeing your family/friends), being physically exhausted one week and not getting enough hours another, relying heavily on the weather, having to deal with work visas, airports and lost baggage, food sickness, jetlag, pickpocketing… I just can’t see myself ever doing that, or even wanting to put myself through that – at least not regularly! Plus, I want my vacation to actually be a vacation!
 
Most of these career choices involve long hours, labor-intensive tasks, and take on the ‘customer is always right’ approach (even if that customer is 100% and/or crazy). One of few roles that actually appeals to me would be working online as a digital nomad because you have the flexibility to set your own hours and location, pick your content/niche, have global clients, and can earn extra bucks through advertising and partnerships. However, with social media and online entrepreneurship taking off so quickly, it’s pretty competitive out there! How does one establish him/herself among millions on the web?! Have you seen how many digital nomads and bloggers are trying to make it out there?

(Photo credit of www.expertvagabond.com)

Some links to inspire your next travel role (a few articles that I personally like):
 
Just One Way Ticket: The Best Travel Jobs – 50 Ways to Make Money While Traveling the World
Expert Vagabond: 33 Best Travel Jobs to Make Money Traveling
The Barefoot Nomad: 45 Great Jobs You Can Do While Traveling The World And How To Get Them
Wandering Earl: 42 Ways You Can Make Money and Travel the World
World of Wanderlust: The 20 Best Jobs for People Who Love To Trave

QUESTION:
​So tell me global workers, is it worth it? What are some of the pros? The cons? What role are you in? What roles have you tried? Why do you continue doing what you’re doing? What makes it valuable to you? What is your dream profession? I’d love to hear about it and I’m sure others would too!