Want to go around the world in 80 jobs?
OK, so 80 jobs may have been a bit of an exaggeration (try keeping all that experience down to two pages on your CV), but with the right mindset and a bit of focus, one opportunity could be all it takes to feed your need to see the world.
Looking for a career that’s going places? Here are some of the top travel jobs – and our tips on how you can break into the industry:
Cabin Crew
For some careers, the sky is the limit. And by the sky, we mean somewhere around 30,000 feet.
Cabin Crew are the friendly face of an airline, welcoming people on board flights and ensuring they are provided with excellent service in the air. Tasks range from serving food and beverages to dispensing important safety information and administering first aid.
Perks include travelling the world, staying over in exotic destinations after long-haul flights (free accommodation anyone?), and reduced flight costs for friends and family.
You’ll also get access to all the airplane food you can eat. Which may be a particular selling point if you’re a big fan of bread rolls.
Will I need a degree? No. You will be provided with all necessary training, although there are some necessary requirements (for example, you will need to be over 18 and be able to swim 25m unassisted in order to apply).
Perfect for: People who aren’t phased by a bit of turbulence in their career.
Avoid if: You’re not really a fan of pointing.
How to become a Flight Attendant
Cruise Ship
Is your current career giving you that sinking feeling? Looking to set sail on a new opportunity? Enjoy other vaguely nautical terms in relation to your career?
If the answer’s yes, and you can handle that barrage of sub-standard puns, you may want to consider working on a cruise ship. Not only do they employ people all over the world, they also sail all over the world as part of process, making it a perfect position for anyone who likes their workplaces to be more of the moving kind.
Potential jobs aboard include cleaning, working as bar or restaurant staff, croupiers, or even evening entertainment. Well, Jane MacDonald hasn’t done too badly. Whatever the role, you’ll need excellent people skills and a complete aversion to home/seasickness to succeed.
The ability to swim/tell the difference between port and starboard desirable, but not considered pre-requisites.
Will I need a degree? Generally you will not need a degree, although this may vary depending on your position.
Perfect for: People who want to work on the water.
Avoid if: You usually get seasick in the bath.
English Teacher
It’s often said that experience is the best teacher. Try telling that to a child attempting to learn the difference between their pronouns and their prepositions…
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is one of the most rewarding careers a travel lover can pursue. Every day you get the chance to help a wide range of people improve their English skills, and provide life-changing learning for your pupils. All of this whilst immersing yourself in another country, language and culture.
You could work in a wide range of locations, and in a variety of different schools or even as a private tutor. Language skills for your prospective country are often not necessary, although you may want to look up how to say ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ just in case…
Will I need a degree? In most cases, yes. However, specific qualifications and previous experience in teaching roles may be enough for some employers.
Perfect for: People who love helping people learn.
Avoid if: You thought TEFL were the people that made frying pans.
Field Service Engineer
Field Service Engineers: Have wrench, will travel…
Field Service Engineers, also known as Engineering Technicians, design, install and maintain a range of different equipment and machinery. What does that have to do with travel, we hear you ask? Well, that’s where the field part comes in…
Wherever there’s a problem a client needs solving, a Field Service Engineer is there. Potential destinations depend on the size and standing of your organisation. It could be worldwide, covering a range of exotic locations, or it could be that you cover the area between Northampton and Newport Pagnell.
Will I need a degree? Yes.
Perfect for: People who are good with their hands.
Avoid if: You have trouble building anything that isn’t Scandinavian and flat-packed.
Jobs in the engineering industry
View all Field Service Engineer jobs
Nanny
Jo Frost; Mary Poppins; Kate Middleton’s Nanny.
The list of famous Nannies is practically endless (and only partly fictional). And when it comes to job satisfaction and the ability to travel, there aren’t many better jobs out there.
Being a Nanny (or Au Pair, for the more exotic) will, of course, require a lot of patience. Unruly children sound the same in every language, and your ability to deal with difficult situations and maintain decorum will be imperative to your success. Luckily, advancements in technology (see: smartphones) have made this a little easier in recent years.
In our experience, Candy Crush Saga is far more effective than a spoonful of sugar. Sorry Mary…
Will I need a degree? A degree is not necessarily a pre-requisite, although you will need to be fluent in a second language to work with a foreign-speaking family and have a dedicated childcare qualification.
Perfect for: People who like working with children.
Avoid if: You’re just looking to recreate the plot of Mrs. Doubtfire.
Pilot
If you’re looking for jobs solely based on how much they’d impress the seven-year-old version of yourself*, becoming a Pilot would be a great place to start.
Of course there is a lot more to being a Pilot than that. Aside from putting your passion for planes to practical use, you’ll be seeing the world though your windscreen. And clouds, obviously. There’ll be a lot of them too.
To be successful in this position will require hard-work, dedication and lots of time spent away from home. The ability to say ‘Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking’ in a calm and soothing tone will also be a distinct advantage.
Will I need a degree? A degree is not a pre-requisite, although you will need dedicated aviation qualifications (such as an ATPL).
Perfect for: People who have their heads in the clouds.
Avoid if: You just like the idea of wearing a fancy hat.
*reed.co.uk do not recommend basing your job searching strategy on your seven-year-old self’s opinion. Quite frankly, there just aren’t enough superhero vacancies out there.
Ready to find your perfect career in the travel industry? Start searching now.
