If you could choose any job in the world, what would it be? Some people desire careers that promise status and money, others aspire to follow their passions. If you are like me, you would be delighted to combine work and travel in a job that allows you to earn money while, at the same time, seeing the world. As a content writer, I get to live the life of a digital nomad as I can work from practically any location on earth as far as I have wifi and my laptop.
One of the most popular industries for travel jobs is, of course, aviation. From air stewardess to cabin crew and pilot to flight attendant- the aviation industry has a wide range of job roles that you can choose from to be able to work and travel. Pilots and flight attendants can easily visit as many as ten cities across different continents in a five day shift! And, those who work for airlines on the ground and don’t necessarily travel for work, get many perks like discounted flight tickets and paid-for holidays. For example, Virgin Atlantic offers a ‘Staff Travel’ scheme where full-time employees can enjoy up to seven concessionary standby flights a year!
However, apart from aviation, countless flexible travel jobs exist, and they are easier to attain than you would imagine. The bottom line is that the opportunity to explore the vast world while earning a significant income is a very real option today.
Here are 10 of the most exciting travel jobs right now
Work on a yacht
Sailing in yachts across shimmering seas to the most exotic destinations carries massive appeal when picturing a travel job. And it can be! There are more than 37,000 yacht crew members employed on over 6,000 superyachts around the world and this is excluding the smaller yachts and sailboats out there. Moreover, working on a yacht does not require a lot of experience if you work as a deckhand or stewardess. Higher paying jobs, such as electricians or captains, require more on your resume, however. Before working, it is a good idea to take an online yachting course like the one offered by IYT Worldwide or you can head to islands in Thailand like Pattaya and Phuket for learning practical skills through crash courses.
Travel nursing
Travel nursing is in very high demand around the world and, as a result, pays higher than regular nurses. Of course, you will need a 2-4 year degree as a registered nurse. Assignments may last from 13-26 weeks and usually come with tax-free income, housing, medical coverage, travel expenses, and even rental cars. If you are qualified, travel nursing can be an excellent opportunity to save a lot of money as well as see a different part of the world.
Online virtual assistant
These days, a majority of tasks can be accomplished remotely. All you need is a strong Wi-Fi connection and a laptop to get started. Today, more and more employers seeking to reduce costs are turning to online virtual assistants to make their business run smoother. If you have skills pertaining to social media scheduling, bookkeeping, content production, email correspondence, calendar management, or any other organizational task that can help grow a company straight from your laptop anywhere in the world, you may be the right person for the job.
House sitting
Have you ever left to go on vacation while still worrying if your pets are safe or if your house is properly maintained while you are away? This dilemma opens doors for house sitting jobs. The only purpose of the job is exactly how it sounds: take care of someone’s house and pets while they are away on vacation. Although rarely a paid job, the benefits include having a house to yourself, your own kitchen to cook, and, in some cases, having a car to use.
Website and graphic design
A common career among digital nomads is graphic or website design. It gives you the freedom to work anywhere in the world from your laptop. If you have an eye for design and software knowledge, such as Photoshop or Illustrator, or coding skills, like HTML and CSS, your skills are in great demand. Seeking clients to create websites is not easy, so start networking early to build your portfolio. Soon, you will be able to secure design jobs that allow you to travel.
Bartending in vibrant cities
Bars can be found in almost every corner of the world. As such, bar owners are constantly looking for friendly faces who have a knack for bringing good vibes to their bar. Finding work is relatively easy. Taking a grassroots approach of walking into the bar where you are interested in working can show the owner your personality directly. If anything, you could just be a guest at a bar in another country. A simple conversation with the current staff may lead to a travel job opportunity.
Teach English abroad
Of the many jobs that require travel, teaching English is perhaps one of the most popular ways to go abroad and make money while doing so. Opportunities exist in numerous countries, ranging from local English centers to large international academies. Depending on where you are hired, varying levels of salaries and workloads will be offered. Often you will need a TEFL certification and a university degree, but this is also dependent on where you choose to work. In South Korea, many English academics offer competitive packages that include airfare, housing, and even medical insurance.
Work at a festival
We have written before about the incredible experience of attending festivals around the world, but what about working at one? Just being on festival grounds will light up your soul as musical talents, mouthwatering food, and group activities come together. To make the festivals a success, organizers are always searching for hard-working staff who can enjoy the atmosphere but also perform their duties well. Working at a festival is very demanding, but for energetic individuals who are looking for high-octane travel jobs, festival work is an excellent option. To start, apply on the festival website several months before the event.
Make money through affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the most sustainable and best jobs that allow you to travel. Essentially, you earn money by recommending a company’s product or service through your online website or blog. When those products or services are purchased, you earn a commission. Companies seeking to expand their marketing horizons benefit from your online presence, and, as a result, your wallet will benefit just by working from your laptop.
However, one important thing to note here would be that in order for this to be successful you need to post original engaging content regularly so your website has good traffic and you are able to monetize it properly.
Scuba diving instructor
One of the best jobs that involve traveling is a scuba instructor. Exploring the vast ocean with diving students in the most exotic locations gives you a chance to earn good money in beautiful diving destinations. If you have the proper certifications and have met the minimum diving hours, you have countless countries where you can work, such as Thailand and the Philippines. If you have not yet been certified, obtaining one requires a bit of financial investment (up to $400 in Southeast Asia). You can also obtain it online.
Often people are discouraged from traveling simply because of the costs. The reality is that opportunities to make significant money either online or in foreign countries are available. With just a bit of courage, you may experience the most amazing destinations in the world by combining work and travel.
