How to travel without ruining your career

How to travel without ruining your career

Use our practical guideline how you can travel without ruining your career

Our journey around the world was the best decision we have ever made, but it didn't come without hesitation. We both terminated our jobs, Peter as head of department at a London school and Kia as a product manager at Penguin Random House.

We knew that we wanted a slower life, but also that we had to find jobs after our return to London. (Unfortunately, Peters is a big plan to win the lottery has not yet been realized.)

How to travel without ruining your career

This fear of ruining a carefully built -up career has held many people from traveling. In some areas, fear is justified (e.g. most young doctors cannot give up their jobs for one year), but for most of us a long -term trip is quite possible, especially if we cultivate time on the street.

Here are six great opportunities to do exactly that.

Go somewhere else

There is nothing wrong to go to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia. In fact, Cambodia is one of our favorite countries - but going to a really different place will demonstrate a number of usable skills: problem solving, self -confidence, courage, curiosity and originality.

If you visit Derweze in Turkmenistan or the Buchara fortress in Uzbekistan, you will be seen less as a work scandal backpacker who makes your way into a "formula trip". Really off the beaten path means a real curiosity of the world - not just an extensive cheerfulness.

Take over a freelance activity

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If you have a certain ability that can be offered from a distance (e.g. writing, video editing, web development), you should accept some freelance contracts. This not only offers an additional income, but also shows that you can prioritize tasks, keep deadlines and work with people in a professional context.

There are several websites to find freelance work. These are particularly useful for newcomers who don't mind working under industry prices. For medium -sized specialists, it can be more lucrative to establish contacts and secure orders.

Try to make a real living as a freelance author to get an idea of ​​how you get there. It was published a few years ago, but contains a wealth of transferable information on the start.

Learn a language

Ah yes. This old chestnut. As many of us have "learning to learn" on your Bucket List, but only a few manage to check it off. When you combine travel with learning and practicing languages, you show dedication and discipline - two extremely employment capabilities.

It is unlikely that they will speak fluently in a year, and most jobs will not really use their language skills, but it is not the language itself that is impressive; It is the time and effort that you put in, as well as your willingness to learn.

If you can pause at a language school and complete a certified course, then even better.

Face a physical challenge

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If you enjoy nature, you should face an impressive physical challenge on your travels. This will demonstrate persistence, determination and ingenuity - all highly employable skills.

Perhaps you will climb the Aconcagua (highest summit of the continent and one of the Seven Summits) on your journey through South America or cycle from CAIRO on a larger scale. Achieving something essential will provide a tangible reason for your trip and will rather convince potential employers in the future.

Operate a website

Yes, we know - it seems that every man and his dog now have a travel blog, but as we have learned in the past 18 months, starting and growing a blog can adjust to the requirements of work.

A professional blog shows that you can think creatively and work conscientiously. It shows your writing and photo skills (if you have it!) And shows that you have a wealth of usable skills: marketing, social media management, search engine optimization, business development, product management and so on.

We recommend WordPress and BlueHost for getting started. Look at how you start a travel blog to get a step-by-step instructions for setting up your website.

Volunteer

"Voluntourism" has been under fire in recent years, especially according to this blazing article by the former voluntourist Pippa Biddle. In it, she asks potential volunteers to consider whether they really have the necessary skills to make their trip successful.

If you can actually create real added value for a local community, you should consider booking a project through an ethical volunteer organization. Experts in this area have called GVI, Blue Ventures, Pod Volunteer and People and Places as good contact points.

If you use your professional expertise to achieve a noticeable positive effect, you can highlight a wealth of employment skills: communication, teamwork, integrity and empathy.

Knowing how to travel without ruining your career by cultivating your professional skills helps to ensure that you return to work smoothly, and offers long -term advantages far beyond the end of your trip.

Mission statement: Dreamstime

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