Money makes the world go round, as the old adage goes. But how about; make money while going around the world? That’s a saying – and journey – we’d love to get on board with.
Sadly, it’s a dream that many view as just that; unachievable, unrealistic and so far out of reach.
It doesn’t have to be this way; with modern technology and new methods of communication shrinking the world until it fits in the palm of your hand, more and more millennials are choosing to earn while burning up the track.
Indeed, travelling and earning simultaneously is now easier than ever before, thanks to the evolution of the internet and Cloud technology. After all, these technologies have combined to create remote communication and file sharing tools, helping you to work just about anywhere in the world that boasts a laptop or mobile device and a reliable, secure internet connection.
That said, making money whilst travelling the world needn’t only rely on the internet; there are still plenty of ‘old-school’, hands-on jobs out there that you can do pretty much anywhere in the world.
The question that remains, of course, is what are the best and most accessible ways of making money while travelling? With this in mind, here are 6 IDEAL jobs for people who love to travel.
Photographer
Jobs for those who love to travel fall into two broad categories; ones which require travel as part of the job, and those which you can do from anywhere in the world, providing you’ve got a laptop and wifi connection. Photography falls into the latter box.
Indeed, photography is a job that requires you to travel in order to create content. It’s on the job description, and what could be better than that? Travel photography, it turns out, can be much more than just a hobby; it can get pretty lucrative. And demand is only growing. So whether you’re a freelance photographer or employed by a company, this is one vocation entirely possible on vacation.
Read: The IDEAL guide to becoming a travelling photographer
Trading Stocks, Shares Or Currency
When travelling with a plans to see the world, it’s crucial that you’re able to work flexibility and have as much free time as possible. So, passive income streams are usually the most effective here, with forex trading offering a relevant case in point.
Forex who we hear you ask. Well, the first thing you need to know is that the word is simply short for ‘the foreign exchange market’, and it’s a term that may give you the freedom to travel, as it’s one of the most flexible in the world, not requiring you to be in any actual physical location. Yep, it’s possible to do it all via the web.
Of course, no investment vehicle or asset class is free from risk. Moreover, remember to always uphold ethical values when trading is concerned.
It should be noted that there is huge risk in investing in forex as the markets are unpredictable and volatile. For any financial advice, always consult a qualified accountant first
Read: 6 was to watch your wellbeing while travelling for work
Flight Attendant
As long as you’re not afflicted by vertigo or aviophobia, and are between the heights of 4’11” and 6’4”, becoming a flight attendant could be your channel into the world of getting paid to travel.
Some airlines allow their flight attendants to fly for free when they aren’t working. However, this is usually on standby flights and of course, depends on the occupancy of each flight. In addition to this, some airlines also offer discounted airfare for friends and family.
Of course, being a flight attendant involves more than jet-setting all over the world. It’s hard work and long hours, make no mistake. According to Indeed, the average flight attendant “can expect to spend 65-90 hours in the air, and an additional 50 hours preparing the airplane, processing passengers during boarding and performing post-flight procedures.”
But if that doesn’t put you off, there’s plenty of professional development and lots of adventure to be found at 30’000 feet.
Travel Blogging
While the halcyon days of blogging may have passed during the late noughties and twenty-tens, creating an informative and insightful blog can still generate significant streams of passive income.
Travel blogs can be particularly lucrative, both in terms of the demand for content and the potential advertising partners that you can work with.
So, you could consider creating a blog that shares your overseas adventures and experiences of different cultures from across the globe, using your own unique voice to offer a bespoke voice and stand apart from your rivals.
In terms of monetising this, you could sell advertising space to targeted partners within the travel, leisure and apparel markets. Over time, you could also consider allowing similarly experienced voices to post guest content, charging a nominal fee to host this and promote the writer’s own endeavours.
International Event Planning
Event management is another job that allows you to – scrap that – expects you to travel as part of the pay packet.
As an international event planner, your job is to travel to wherever the big events or conferences are taking place for inspiration, and travel even more to destinations where you’re hosting an event.
Indeed, as an international event planner, you certainly won’t find yourself stuck in the office full-time; you get to visit and experience new cities, countries and cultures, and you get a little bit of ‘me’ time…in an ideal world, that is!
So far, so appealing. But speak to business travellers and they may well tell you that life on the road isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sitting in airports, being away from loved ones, and dealing with jetlag, all while juggling work demands and deadlines, can take its toll on you. If you’re considering a career as an international event planner, do read our article on some key ways to watch your wellbeing while travelling for work.
Language Tuition
If you’re unable to leverage the above options or market your particular skillset online as a freelancer, you may want to consider more corporeal or hands-on roles such as teaching.
After all, there are cultures and communities in various far-flung corners of the world who speak English as a second language, creating an omnipresent need for people who can teach the dialect. Indeed, English is currently thought to be the second-most common language in the world, with some 55 nations speaking this as a second dialect.
Of course, this may require some form of rudimentary teaching qualification in a few regions, while at the very least you’ll need transferable skills such as discipline, patience and an ability to communicate with people of all age ranges.
You’ll also need to be organised, as you’ll have to create a strict schedule that incorporates your work without overly compromising your travel itinerary. If you can manage that fine-balancing act, then you might find teaching English an enjoyable and rewarding profession.
Bon Voyage!