I think we can all agree that the world is a pretty glorious place, and while we might not all have the chance to travel the globe and sample its incredible cuisine and local customs, there’s no reason to believe that we can’t live vicariously through stories.
The problem is that some jobs require an entirely different set of skills from what you’d use to tell a story. For instance, if you want to write for a travel magazine, you’re going to need to have a much bigger bag of tricks than if you simply want to write for a local news publication.
So which job should you go for if you love writing and traveling? Is there a job for you? Here’s a look at the possibilities.
Journalist
This is the most obvious choice if you want to write about travels and adventures. You’ll need to have a solid handle on the English language, as well as a talent for researching topics and presenting them in an engaging manner.
The best place to start if you’re looking for a journalism job is the New York Times. Since its founding in 1851, the New York Times has been one of the most trusted news organizations in the world. According to Pete Cashmore, Director of the New Journalism Lab at the London School of Journalism, “The Times is one of the last bastions of formal accuracy and independent thought… [it is] a great training ground for young journalists”.
You can also look into other well-known publications like the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and others. Alternatively, you can start your own blog and connect with other journalists and bloggers across the world. Don’t forget to build your portfolio, however, as blogging is a bit of a self-publicist’s game.
Travel Agent
If you have a talent for researching destinations and figuring out travel arrangements, consider going into destination management. You’ll be helping customers to navigate the hassle of international travel, ensuring that every detail is taken care of.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the travel agent occupation is classified as a subsidential activity, which makes it one of the few jobs that you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to get started. Because of this, many travel agents consider this job to be a stepping stone to something else. For instance, Amy Gesenhues, owner of Gesenhues Travel, an agency based in San Francisco, California, tells Travel News that her agency often gets asked to act as an assistant to a travel agent, and she says that she advises her clients to take advantage of the opportunity and train for the Occupation credential.
One of the biggest challenges of being a travel agent is keeping up with all the changes in technology. You’ll need to be able to take care of everything from booking flights and making hotel arrangements to finding the best rates for travel-related products and services. If you’re looking for a job that requires a lot of traveling, it’s best to choose a small agency that you can work for as an intern. This way, you’ll get to learn from experienced professionals and make a greater impact on the world of travel without having to commit to a full-time position.
Advertising Agent
If you’re looking for a job that allows you to travel the world and play some sort of mad scientist, consider going into advertising agency. You’ll be representing brands and communicating their messages to the public, building awareness and securing sales. Naturally, you’ll need to have a background in marketing and public relations to succeed in this occupation.
The advantage of having a job in advertising is that you can often specialize in a particular field. For example, if you’re a food brand, you may end up working with a health and wellness company or a travel agency. You can then develop expertise in handling the advertising for those brands. According to Adweek, the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) 2018 Credentialing Yearbook, there are currently over 112 accredited advertising agencies in America alone. So if you’re looking for a job that allows you to explore many different industries, this may be the one for you.
Consultant
If you’re looking for a job that allows you to roam the world and give advice, consider going into consulting. Basically, you’ll be helping business to understand the changing environment in which they operate and providing them with the best possible guidance to maximize their profitability. Naturally, you’ll need to have some sort of professional background, as well as business experience to succeed in this role.
Once you’re established in your career, you may be able to specialize in a field of expertise or take on freelance projects. There are a variety of consulting jobs out there, from market research to business analyst to product management. So if you’re looking for a job that allows you to explore many different industries, this may be the one for you.
Author
If you have a passion for writing and wonderful stories, consider going into authorship. Naturally, you’ll need a literary agent and/or publisher to get started, but you’ll eventually manage your own authorial career. You’ll be in charge of structuring your writing project, coming up with a narrative arc, and figuring out the logistics of getting the manuscript ready for publishers.
According to HubSpot Blogs, job authorship is a fast-growing field, and one of the main reasons is that more and more people are discovering the joys of writing. In the past, being an author was mostly the domain of famous names and well-known authors. Nowadays, anyone with a pen and a desire to write can make a living writing books and selling them to discovered and established authors and publishers. While you may not need a masters degree to get started, you’ll need to have a passion for writing and a willingness to explore new techniques and means of producing literature to make a living from it. Therefore, if you can get your work published, you may have found a career that lets you travel the world and write stories that make everyone laugh and cry.