Getting paid while traveling the world might seem like a pipe dream, but you’d be surprised at the number of opportunities there are out there for people who want to combine their love for travel and their work. And no, I’m not talking about becoming the next hot travel blogger/influencer. There are tons of jobs out there that will allow you to travel the world while being of service. It’s all about knowing where to find them. Here are six great careers that could earn you a living while traveling.
Cruise Nurse
Cruise nurses are actually what they sound like: nurses who work on cruise ships. And in many ways, working as a cruise ship nurse is pretty similar to working onshore.
You’ll be responsible for administering first care to cruise ship passengers of all ages and treating them for things like seasickness, sunburns, or any possible incident. Cruise ship nurses also have to be ready for any emergency, and sometimes with limited resources. Earning your medical terminology certificate online before you become a cruise nurse is a good qualification to have on your resume when applying for this role. The good part is that you get to rest in exotic locales and enjoy all the luxuries of a cruise ship
If you want to become a cruise ship nurse, you’ll need to be a registered nurse first. Many cruise lines will also privilege nurses with experience and a bachelor’s degree. The good thing is that you can always start as a registered nurse, get some experience, and get your bachelor’s online. If you live in Colorado, you could get your RN to BSN in Colorado through an accredited university and use your formation either to continue working in your community or seek advancement.
If you decide to become a cruise ship nurse, you must also have your ACLS certification. It would also be wise if you got cross-cultural nursing training to help you be better prepared to provide care to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Travel Nurse
Staying with the nursing theme, becoming a travel nurse could be another great option for people wanting to travel the world and get paid handsomely for doing so. Of course, traveling isn’t all that you’ll do, but travel nurses enjoy benefits that most nurses would envy.
They get to decide where they want to work, in which specialization depending on their qualifications, and how long their contract will last. Travel nurses are often called in when there are important shortages of nurses in an area, if there are big seasonal influxes of people in places like Florida, for instance, or when nurses are expected to go on extended leave.
Becoming a travel nurse allows you to break from the monotony and live in places you’ve always wanted to live in. What’s also great is the massive demand for travel nurses with all the shortages in different cities and areas of the country.
International Aid Worker
If you want to be able to travel to some of the most remote areas of the world and really make a difference, you could also consider working for a world aid organization or an NGO. Some places where you could work include the Peace Corps Volunteers, USAID, and CARE.
Note that this isn’t for everyone, and you have to have a certain love of adventure to make it. Also, know that you may be called to work in areas that were ravaged by war and famine, so it implicates a certain degree of danger. But if you’re looking for a job that will allow you to feel fulfilled and are not afraid to get your hands dirty and do some real work, this could be the perfect career path for you.
Consultant
If you have a certain set of expertise that is in high demand, becoming a consultant can also be a great way to travel and get paid. Companies and even local governments worldwide hire consultants to help them solve complex issues in areas lacking expertise.
Since consultants usually possess specialized knowledge, they may be called to work in dispersed locations. And as a consultant, traveling will play an integral part in your job since you’ll need to be able to maintain a relationship with clients. If you both love to travel and you’re good with people, this is a great opportunity to travel and also work for yourself.
English Teacher
If you can speak English fluently, congratulations, you have a skill that is in high demand in pretty much all of the non-English speaking world. While some places will require that you have at least a bachelor’s degree and experience teaching, some countries and jobs will only require that you have your TEFL certification, like Colombia, for instance. However, if you want to become a formal English teacher and get some experience, know that working as a tutor, study leader, or aide can also count.
Au Pair
While au pair positions aren’t as common in the United States, they are very common in European countries like France and places like New Zealand, for instance. Working as an au pair is a great way to get immersed in another culture while building connections with the families you’ll be working with.
As an au pair, your lodging and sometimes expenses will be paid in exchange for childcare and assistance. For instance, you may be called to help them with things like schoolwork or shuttling them to extracurricular activities. Another benefit of being an au pair is that families will often take their au pair with them on vacation, which will give you further chances to see the world.
Conclusion
All these jobs not only allow you to travel the world but make a real difference at the same time. Whether you want to work as a travel nurse, flight attendant, or international aid worker, make sure that you pick a career path that will allow you to realize yourself while offering stable job security.
