“My dream is to work and travel.”
“Why don’t you…”
“No, I mean I really want to work and see the world.”
Anybody who has travelled before will know that working and seeing the sights aren’t conducive. Earning money abroad is too much like hard work. There are pints to be pulled and inevitable hungover days that prevent you from doing it properly. And then there are the roles which aren’t traveller-friendly whatsoever. Sitting in an office in Australia is the same as doing it in Britain but with the weather.
Anyone who is keen on backpacking might have to find a way to supplement their income. At the same time, nobody wants to harsh their buzz by spending their hours clocking in and out of shifts. That isn’t an experience of a lifetime.
As always, the best option is the middle ground; a job that lets you enjoy your travels. With that in mind, here are five of the greatest opportunities which are totally legit.
Bartender
Okay, living the life of an alcoholic for six months can get in the way of making your way across the country. Everybody gets it because the nights out are too fun and the hangovers the next day too tragic. And then, it’s back to the grindstone at night. “Hey, I thought you said these were going to be bona fide?!” is the cry, and this one is if you know how to handle a dickie stomach.
Think about it. You only work at night so you get the days off, the shifts are in patterns so you’ll get holidays, and there is always “co-workers” looking for extra money. On top of that, you can quit whenever you want and move on to the next town. After seeing the attractions, and if the coffers get a little low, you can jump back on the bandwagon and start over again.
There’s a reason bartending is the Mastermind subject of travellers the world over. And yes – it’s because it’s easy and flexible!
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Tour Guide
Tourists from around the world want to get a glimpse of the monuments and temples they see in their guidebooks. The only difference between you and them is that you’re willing to look at them over and over as long as you get paid. Normal holiday-goers are happy to get back on the bus and coast off to their next generation. You’re driven, you’re passionate about putting your knowledge to the test, and you’re skint.
So, work as a tour guide is the perfect opportunity for the regular traveller. Don’t get it twisted – it’s hard work. There are early mornings and long nights and lots of impatient visitors. You’ll need to answer lots of questions and deal with annoying people, which is why patience is a virtue. And, the tips aren’t always the best unless Americans are knocking around. In that case, latch on to them like crazy.
Still, tour guides are in the epicentre of the action and get to see things others can only dream about. Again, it’s flexible so you can transfer to a new site and start afresh.
Driver
Road trip, whoa! Put the tunes on people because we’re about to live the travellers’ dream. Granted, there might not be anyone in the cab with you, and you’ll be working so there’s no air guitar allowed. You’ve gots to look professional. Regardless, driving is the most prolific way to see the country while getting paid.
For starters, there are hundreds of different options at your disposal. You can link it with the tour guide position and ferry people back and forth from the sites. Or, you can do something entirely different and drive storage units to renters. Whichever route you take, they’ll be plenty to see along the way. As long as there are classic road trip songs and snacks, it won’t feel like work anyway.
Plus, you can always get your friend hired and treat it like a doss. After all, it’s not the most difficult position on the planet if you’ve got a full licence. Like Ryan Gosling, you can get into some shenanigans on the open roads. Just try to avoid gangsters and mad, ex-con boyfriends and girlfriends.
Cabin Crew
Becoming a trolley dolly isn’t something most people find appealing. There is a lot of non-stop travelling and the passengers are tricky, to say the least. Imagine a two-hour flight from London to Ibiza – it would be chaos. Of course, the short-haul ones aren’t the kind that you’re after. You want the long-haul perks where everybody goes to sleep and you get to chill in the back.
Plus, there is usually a break between flying there and coming back to give the pilot a break, and this is where you come alive. Whether it’s sitting by the pool or exploring the local markets and culture, there’s plenty to do in three days. Oh, and let’s not forget about sampling the local nightlife too.
With the generous travel benefits included, you can take time off to fly at your leisure also. Anyone who is scared of flying can do the same thing on a cruise ship, although the position is a lot tougher.
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Virtual Anything
Thank god for technology! Nowadays, pretty much anyone can complete tasks from the comfort of their home. And, if you can do that, then you can take care of those same responsibilities on a beach in the Bahamas. All you need is an internet connection and a waiter with refills. Rodrigo, another refill please!
Your next step is to find a job which offers this perk, which isn’t too difficult. If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a blogger or a teacher of English, look no further. Set up a website with Wix or WordPress or pass your TEFL and you’re ready to go, baby.
You might want to take a dongle in case there is a loss of connection.
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When you put travelling first, there are plenty of roles which will suit your options. Which one is your favourite?
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