To be fair, the old pandemic has put a bit of a dampener on the travel plans of late but, if you’re anything like me, then there’s a good chance you might now be starting to look ahead to a future of exploring the world again!
And explore is the right word, because with so many of us craving deeper and more meaningful travel experiences these days, sometimes just jetting into a country and spending a week on a beach no longer holds the appeal it once did.
As I well know from my adventures, the only real way to truly experience a country, to get under its skin and to start unravelling its hidden gems, cultural quirks and mysterious magnificence, is to really spend some time living and working there.
Allowing for a much richer experience, working and travelling the world really is the way to go in my opinion and before beginning the blog, that’s exactly what I did!
From working holidays in Australia to woofing in New Zealand, running a hostel in Columbia to working a bar in Nicaragua, volunteering in Uganda to house-sitting in South Africa, it’s fair to say I cut my travel cloth working my way around the globe and firmly stand by it as the best way to not only see the world on a budget, but ensure you get the most from your time too.
Which is why I wanted to bring you my list of the top 6 jobs that allow you to do just that.
It’s worth pointing out this isn’t some pie-in-the-sky list – you know the sort of list I mean, the ones where people tell you a million jobs you can do to earn money on the road, but don’t actually give you any practical tips about how to do this.
Instead, these are the 6 best travel jobs, plus practical steps on exactly how you can go about getting them.
So if you’re thinking of packing up your bags soon and heading off to see the world, then this list is definitely for you.
Let’s get stuck in!
Related Posts
- 7 Great Reasons Why You Should Work & Travel
- How to Plan the Perfect Travel Itinerary: 15 Easy Steps
- 25 Travelling Essentials for Women
This post was sponsored by Global Work & Travel but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
#1 Seasonal Jobs
Coming in at number one on this list of the top jobs that allow you to work and travel the world, it’s being a seasonal employee on a working holiday visa.
Yes, seasonal jobs are definitely easiest to find if you’re already part of a working holiday scheme – which are offered to many young people (usually under 35) between reciprocal countries.
Seasonal jobs can range from hospitality to agriculture, fishing to tourism.
As a big fan of working holiday visas, after the one I did in Australia ended up in me living out there for 4 years, (and missing out on the ones I’d planned to do in Canada and New Zealand, but that’s another story!) and having the time of my life!
A great money earner, if you’re smart and don’t spend it all, seasonal jobs as part of working holiday visas are an awesome way to meet people and have a lot of fun.
You can then use the money you’ve saved to travel more, just as I did when I ended up driving around Australia in a Landrover Defender with a rooftop tent!
Seasonal jobs also give you the chance to learn a lot of new skills and to try jobs in areas of work you may not have considered.
My work in hospitality while I was travelling ranged from running a bar to being a barista, managing a restaurant to overseeing a guesthouse and even working in a car hire outlet on a remote Queensland island!
All of these jobs taught me so much and definitely helped me get to where I am today, which is why I can’t recommend working holiday visas and seasonal work enough.
Global Work and Travel offer working holiday trips to Australia, Canada, New Zealand & the UK that include setting up seasonal job opportunities before you leave home.
They have over 1,200 partner employers that hire travellers who can commit to a minimum of 4 months, and most of their partner employers offer perks like staff accommodation, ski passes etc, to ensure their seasonal workers’ lives are both easy and fun!
#2 Au Pair
It’s kinda unbelievable, I know, but the fact remains that I’ve never actually been an au pair, but girl do I wish I had.
Not only does this job allow you to earn money, but you’ll also get to live with a family, meaning you have an instant network while abroad, as well as a unique insight into how life functions for normal people in that particular country or region.
If you’re an English speaker, au pair jobs might be the way to go, as thousands of families around the world try to give their kids the best opportunity by placing them under the guidance of an adult with a key grasp of the language.
This is especially true in countries like Italy, France, Germany, Spain and even further abroad in China too, where vacancies for both men and women aged 18-35 are plentiful and salaries tend to be good.
With accommodation and meals generally thrown into the offering as well, this can be a great way to earn while you travel, allowing you the chance to make connections likely to last a lifetime.
Learn how you can get started finding opportunities for au pair work in the countries I’ve mentioned above, plus many more, here.
Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!
Information will be sent to the email provided above
#3 Tutoring
Next on my list of the best travel jobs, it’s tutoring, which is another super opportunity that will allow you to not only meet and make friends with local people, but earn money and grow your skills at the same time!
Similar to au pair work in that you’ll live with a family who will also provide you with meals and a salary, tutoring is different however in the way that your work is more academic.
Not just looking after children, you’ll actively be helping them to learn, either English in non-English speaking countries, or with their homework or studies in English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Typically the work involves just 15-30 hours a week, which means you have plenty of free time to explore and travel in your new country too!
Global Travel and Work also have lots of tutoring opportunities, particularly in Europe, and have already helped over 55,000 people find jobs abroad.
With over 9,000 excellent reviews across Google, Trustpilot and other top trusted sites, you can definitely book with them in confidence.
The fact that Global Travel and Work are also registered with the travel industry’s most prominent & renowned accreditation groups, such as ABTA, also adds to the peace of mind you get when using their service.
#4 Teach English
We’re sticking with the kids here, because working with young people when you travel the world can create some seriously great opportunities and rich experiences.
And that’s exactly why number 4 on this list of the best travel jobs for working and travelling is to teach English.
In fact, this needn’t just apply to young people – you could be teaching people of any age – which means the skills you’ll be using and the way you’ll be helping people will be invaluable.
Teaching positions abroad can last from a few months to a few years, so if you’re looking for a long and deeply immersive travel experience, this could be the one for you!
Teaching English is also open to people of any age, so if you’re looking for a career break, this really could be your ideal travel job.
But what if you’re not qualified to teach English?
Fear not, because Global Work and Travel’s teaching opportunities include either a TEFL or TESOL course, which means after just a month you’ll receive an internationally recognised accreditation that will allow you to head off and bag that dream job!
When taking the course, you’ll also be able to meet other people doing the same thing as you and make friends you can then enjoy the included cultural activities and excursions with.
Teaching English is also one of the most versatile travel jobs on this list, with posts available in countries as diverse as Thailand, Costa Rica, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Argentina and Spain.
A real winner, teaching English is definitely something to consider!
#5 Summer Camp
I know loads of travel friends that have worked in summer camps to fund their travels and they absolutely loved it!
Lasting only 2-3 months, this is a great travel job to go for if you’re looking to experience something different in your university holidays, or if you just have a short amount of time between jobs or other plans.
It’s also a good earner, and I know many people who used the money they saved from working in summer camps as a springboard to some great backpacking adventures.
Generally running in the US between the months of June and August, summer camps will also give you skills that will look fantastic on your CV and help to develop your confidence and communication abilities too.
Usually aimed at those aged 18-30, find out more about how to grab a summer camp opportunity with Global Work and Travel here.
Not only do these guys take away the need for you to search for the ideal job, but they also provide visa assistance, guidance when booking flights and have a 24/7 global helpline so that, even if this is your first time away from home solo, you’ll feel safe and comfortable from start to finish.
#6 Intern
And last but not least, this one is for all you career heads out there!
Yes, why undertake an internship at home, when you can do one abroad?
With opportunities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Spain, internships with Global Work and Travel are the perfect way to spend time before, after or during your university studies and are a superb way to add kudos to your CV and get a massive headstart in the world of work
With Global Work and Travel’s pre-departure support (including a designated trip coordinator) and flexible payment plans, these guys are the perfect people to head to if you’re looking for an epic internship opportunity.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
And tell me… have you worked abroad?
What job did you do and did you enjoy it?
Any advice you can give to help out someone who may be looking to follow in your footsteps would be greatly appreciated.
Just drop your tips into the comments below…
