How Do I Land a Travel-Related Job?
Ask Rolf: Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel
01.04.07 | 7:28 AM ET
Dear Rolf,
I’ve planned a three-month trip to Europe, but I’d really prefer to go for a whole year. How do I get involved in travel so ultimately I can do travel-related things as a job?
—Chris, Australia
Dear Chris,
The short answer is simply to keep your eyes and options open as you travel. Ask around about jobs, be curious and befriend people wherever you go. Do this long enough on the road, and you’ll eventually stumble across work opportunities—from working a hostel desk, to teaching English, to leading dive trips.
Some of these jobs will be short-term and others will be longer-term—but the secret is to be creative and persistent enough to find the kind of work you enjoy doing. After all, most travel-related jobs don’t pay much, so if you don’t enjoy your overseas work, it makes more sense to just work at home and save up a nest egg for your travels.
In many cases, scoring a travel-related job in the long-term might require a bit of training. Thus, if your travels inspire you to teach, you might need to go home for certification training. If your travels inspire you to get involved in international aid and development, you might go back and get a degree in that field. If you decide you want to start your own eco-tour company, you might want to get some business and management training. The beauty of travel is that it exposes you to a wealth of different lifestyles and life experiences—both good and bad—and learning from these experiences will give you a better idea of what you want to pursue as a job.
For leads on travel-related and overseas jobs, check out an issue of Transitions Abroad (which also has a work resource directory online), or surf to OverseasJobs.com or OverseasDigest.com.![]()
Send your questions to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). If you want to see if Rolf has already answered your questions, see the Ask Rolf archive.
Editors 02.01.07 | 9:26 PM ET
This is great advice—persistance and passion do indeed pay off, but I’d say that most of us in the travel industry aren’t in it for the money. We just love to explore!
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jitendra 07.26.07 | 5:46 AM ET
dear sir i am interested doing job with u ple send me detail thanking u
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Adventure Joyland Safaris 07.26.07 | 6:12 AM ET
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Genna 08.28.07 | 11:50 AM ET
I also have the same desire to travel and work. Actually, like many others (I’m sure) I’d take Samantha Brown’s job in a second. I am currently a student working on my communications degree. I’m only 20 but I know what I am passionate about and will continue to pursue until I reach my destinations…
What are the demands??
Jay Williams 09.19.07 | 7:37 PM ET
I work at a dead end job and want nothing more than to travel, but I have little money and am soon running very low on the ignorance of the people around me. Anyone that could help in anyway, advice, jobs, etc… would be most appreciated. With any of that just email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
pegah 09.30.07 | 8:45 AM ET
I think Traveling is among the most wanted jobs in the world. Like the rest of you I want a job that I can travel and write. I am Canadian/Iranian and have lived in many places and am familiar with different cultures. I have a boring degree in business marketing and it’s not very easy to love or hate me. There is no happy medium!Please let me know how I can apply for jobs on Travel Channel and such before I go suicidal on this job! I will be honest with you, some of the people I see on TV are really boring and I have no idea how and why they got their jobs! Please help! Thanks
Aisha Hallgren 10.16.07 | 4:22 PM ET
I desperatley want to set out on new adventures but would like to meet people and possibly head to some destinations together. its so hard to get friends to have the courage to drop it all and go!!!!
Michelle Gosselin 11.09.07 | 11:13 AM ET
Samantha and I are the best of friends according to my kids, because when I watch passport to Europe, I tell them I going with my friend to take a trip.
Then they say, “OH, you must be watching Samantha” I would love to take a trip with Sam sometime.
Craig of Travelvice.com 11.18.07 | 2:49 PM ET
It all depends on the level with which you’re willing to sacrifice your ego. Are you willing to wash dishes to keep traveling? Jobs are always available.
Kafe 12.03.07 | 9:47 PM ET
If jobs are always available, how can apply for them. I am hugely interested to work onboard a cruise boat around the world. Does anyone know?
anja 12.07.07 | 10:12 AM ET
heeey:-)
in which jobs am i travel-related?
thanks for your answer!!
greez!
maria delgado 12.10.07 | 7:58 PM ET
im also interested in a career or job that involves traveling. im a gemini so i love to travel lol. when i watch these spanish soap operas and see the huge businesses and see how they go to different countries im like hmm maybe a public relations job or something, or international business any other ideas?
larry 12.22.07 | 10:23 AM ET
I love travel but the job which make me travel around the year I don’t like this type job
Kelsie Noland 01.03.08 | 2:13 AM ET
I’m only a teenager but for several years now I’ve wanted to be a travel journalist of sorts. Sad to say, my parents don’t trust me enough to send me out of the country, but I’ve been to many cities throughout America and have written articles that have been featured in different newspapers. I’m proud of my passion for travel and for writing and I hope that neither diminishes before I get the chance to pursue it further. Rolf, you give amazing advice on this topic and if anyone else has additional advice, it will be accepted with open arms.
Kay 01.20.08 | 5:20 PM ET
I want to become a travel writer.
I am getting no younger, but I look nice, and I hope this does not sound like I am putting my self on a silver platter, but many have told me I am savvy.
Could you give me some information that may help me.
Kindly, Kay
Cassaundra Rachal 01.20.08 | 9:19 PM ET
Dear Rolf,
I have always adored Samantha Brown and always had a dream to have a job like her when i grow up. I was wondering how she got her job so that when i grow older i can have a job just like her
Minneh 02.08.08 | 1:22 AM ET
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Wangari 02.08.08 | 1:24 AM ET
Kenya Lodge Safaris,Kenya camping Safaris, Budget safaris,Masai mara Lodge safaris,tours to Kenya,
Job Centre 02.20.08 | 4:34 PM ET
Travel jobs are indeed difficult to come by sometimes but if you look carefully there are fast becoming more websites out there that cater for travel related careers.
hala 03.12.08 | 6:27 AM ET
hello there
i love travelling around the world and iam really searching for job which is realted to travelling !
can anyone help me !
thanx alot
peace
hala
cheryl 03.14.08 | 7:05 PM ET
I am taking a cruise this april, going to scotland and ireland. Is it better to book things to do thru the ship or find an outside source to explore the cities. We will spend 8 hours in each city. Edinburgh, Inverness, Dublin, Belfast are the cities. How do I find outside booking sources?
Larry Kading 03.19.08 | 5:17 PM ET
I worked in the early 90’s aboard Sitmar cruises as a videographer, and then as an officer aboard the Island and Pacific Princess. Cruising in those days were mainly ‘world tours’ so it was a great way of seeing the world 7 days a week. You have to have a certain disposition though as the quarters can be cramped, the passengers can be demanding, and the tours can be 6 to 9 months away from home. But, i feel there was no better way of seeing the world without paying the travel. I have been asked a lot about how you find these jobs. It’s definitely easier these days with all the ships out there but the jobs don’t pay near as well either, so it can be a monetary sacrifice as Rolf mentions. I have taught English as well in a small Italian town of Sfruz, and that too is a great way of spending 6 to 8 months in a central location to fully understand the area. Just commit to doing it and you’ll find a way to make it work.
richard 04.11.08 | 10:56 AM ET
I am a freelance writer (custom essay) and I would like to thank you for extremely interesting discussion. My job gives me a lot of time to travel
Scott Meyer 04.11.08 | 3:14 PM ET
I am currently in the US Air Force, but my enlistment will be coming to an end soon. I joined the military with the hopes of travelling and seeing the world (that is what is promised), but i have yet to do so. I would like to take matters into my own hands instead of waiting for the military to ship me somewhere else. I currently work in the Emergency Management career field and am also HazMAT certified but since the military pays for some certifications and all schooling i am willing to do whatever it takes to get the job i desire. Unfortunately i have NO idea what job that is. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.
Kay 04.12.08 | 12:02 AM ET
I have a post on here, but I guess people think I am a old lady, notta!
Could someone give me advice on how to be involved in photography, writing, or etc.
This is my space address, words speaks a million words.
Thanks, Kay
danilo T villarin jr 05.02.08 | 11:06 AM ET
pls help me… i want a job in europe or in usa thats related in traveling different nations. iam a graduate of electrical engineering and i have a vocational course of avionics. pls send me any tips and companies needed a candidate employee like me. thank you very much. Recently, iam working at meralco as meter technician in the phlippines.
Subway Coupons 05.04.08 | 1:47 PM ET
thanks for the post..really enjoyed reading here
Paul Eligon 05.20.08 | 7:59 PM ET
Hi this is Paul Eligon from Florida. Ever since I was little, I have traveled to many different countries of the world. My favorite channel is the travel channel, and for a long time now I have wanted to work for them. Graduated with an acting and film background and was wondering what were the necessary steps to getting a job with the travel channel.
Ivan Pinto 05.22.08 | 7:05 PM ET
I want to live. See what life has to offer me. See what the world has in store for me. I am going to leave my life behind sooner or later. I live in India so traveling to different countries is not happening any time soon. I wish just like a million others to travel. Traveling can never be a job, its a way of life. All I can do now is backpack to various places in India. But one day soon, I WILL LEAVE.
Minita Bathija 05.30.08 | 12:32 PM ET
I am a Bachelor in Mass Media student,I am specializing in Journalism.I love writing and travelling.I would like to know how can i get job where i can travel and host it just like that of Samantha Brown.Please suggest me that how can i approach for someone like Travel and living channel.And how much one is paid in such jobs?I would love to hear through e-mail.
Anamika Rawat 06.19.08 | 4:51 AM ET
Hi,
I am working as reporter in one of the National Daily in India.Actually,I want to pursue a career in Journalism and my options are open for any category,like from bag pack travel to travel in extreme conditions.How do i apply to Discovery Travel and Living or Nat Geo for this?Also,my accent not being like as American create any kind of hinderance for me?
benjamin appiah yaw 07.28.08 | 12:43 PM ET
heo my name is benjami appiah yaw from ghana a student at aviation am ofering tourism mangement and i want a place for my attecment please help me to get a place
thank you benjamin
Vinayak 09.28.08 | 10:34 AM ET
I dont really have much of experience with traveling but would love to get a Job that would allow me to travel and get to see to new people and culture.
linda sempell 10.20.08 | 2:03 AM ET
my name is linda and i will love to travel but i will like to find a couple of people that we can help each other to make it and actually do it i think that is hard know in days because of what goes on but i hope i can find and idea and the people to make it out there..
dreams
Paramita 11.07.08 | 11:02 AM ET
Hello…myself paramita.I’have just completed my bachelor degree in science.Though I’m planning to persue mba but I would like to know how should I proceed to have any job related to travelling. Actually I’m very passionate about travelling and different types of culture of different region.I want to do work with like travel and living channel where I will have the chance to travelvarious places and explore the cultures.Plzzzzzzzzz help me.