Aspiring Nomads Welcome: 5 Lucrative Careers to Feed Your Wanderlust

Living life to the fullest isn’t a phrase with a one-size-fits-all definition. For some, it means achieving financial success. For others, it may involve spending time with loved ones. But for those select few, a fulfilling life includes collecting passport stamps, hopping from country to country, and seeing as many of the world’s wonders as physically (and financially) possible.

For those with an urgent yearning to travel, better known as a classic case of wanderlust, it may seem impossible to satiate these cravings without blowing the budget. Fortunately, there are many paths you can take in life that allow you to travel the globe realistically. From hunting for low airfare to listing your home on Airbnb while you’re gone, living as a wanderer can be equally exciting and affordable. Whatever tips and tricks you find to save your wallet, the first step you’ll want to take in feeding your wanderlust is to find a travel-friendly job that allows you to live a nomadic lifestyle while earning a living. 

A nomadic lifestyle can bring spontaneity and novelty into your life. By traveling from place to place, you can escape costly rent and mortgage payments while discovering new cultures around the world. In such a materialistic society, living as a nomad brings you back to your roots as you learn to live on the basics: food, shelter, water, and, you guessed it, happiness. 

If you’re hoping to ditch the cubicle, feed your wanderlust, and get paid along the way, consider these five travel-friendly careers. In the blink of an eye, you’ll lead a scrapbook-worthy day-to-day life—without breaking the bank. 

Travel CNA (Certified Nurse Aid)

Travelling CNA jobs are in high demand right now. As you work to resolve hospital shortages, you’ll derive a sense of purpose in this otherwise disorienting time. As you travel from place to place, you’ll also benefit from a competitive salary and growing profession while discovering the charms of uncharted territory. 

As a travel CNA, you’ll have the chance to choose your schedule. Not to mention, the constant need for healthcare workers provides you with enduring job security. Above all else, you’ll help vulnerable communities desperate for medical assistance. 

The downsides of travel nursing include the nagging and seemingly endless stacks of CNA paperwork. Additionally, those medical professionals willing to lead an on-the-go lifestyle must acquire multiple licenses for each new state they visit. Some may also experience loneliness from being the perpetual new kid at school and may even fall victim to a good old-fashioned case of homesickness.

If you’re looking for more detailed information on how long it takes to become a travel nurse, job opportunities, and additional resources, we recommend reading this article. It will provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision about pursuing a career as a travel nurse.

Au Pair 

An au pair lives with a host family, often in a country abroad, and provides child care services. In most cases, you’ll receive free room and board, in addition to a reasonable salary. Au pairs can immerse themselves in an unfamiliar culture by learning a different language and adopting new ways of life. 

The benefits of becoming an au pair include learning cross-cultural communication skills and taking advantage of the opportunity to become part of a local family. The ever-changing schedule of an au pair offers freedom and flexibility, giving you plenty of time to explore your new home country. 

On the other hand, the cons of a career as an au pair are dealing with potentially incorrigible children and prioritizing these young children and their family’s needs over your own desires. Living with your employer can also pose challenges, especially when in desperate need of some me-time. 

Flight Attendant 

With travel at its core, becoming a flight attendant is the perfect way to live your jet-setting fantasies. As you soar from coast to coast, you’ll catch a glimpse of hundreds of never-before-seen cities and make a respectable wage in the process. Flight attendants also enjoy free and discounted flights for themselves and their family, while also handcrafting their own schedule. 

The process of becoming a flight attendant is relatively straightforward, and a degree isn’t required. While the flight attendant lifestyle is fast-paced, the long, erratic hours can cause jetlag and exhaustion. Some may also hesitate at the thought of spending most of their working time attending to passengers and their needs. 

Social Media Manager 

If you’re tech-savvy, you can find thousands of companies looking for someone to manage their social media presence. Social media managers engage with customers online, post content, and create advertisements to boost a business’ social relevance. 

Managing multiple social media accounts is doable while on-the-road or in between airport terminals, allowing you to work wherever your heart takes you. Social media managers build their own schedule, and the flexible hours mean you can work any time of day. Additionally, the creative nature of social media management offers exciting opportunities to post potentially viral content. 

On the flip side, you may run into problems online post-campaign, leaving you responsible for pesky damage control initiatives. Before you take the plunge, you might also want to consider the harms of excessive social media use. 

English Language Teacher 

Becoming an ESL teacher is extremely easy and conducive to a wanderlust lifestyle. General requirements include a basic understanding of English concepts and specific certification that is easy to ascertain. 

Countries like Thailand, Spain, and China are in high demand for ESL teachers, giving you the opportunity to explore uncharted territory while making a living. The most notable benefit of becoming an ESL teacher is enjoying summer vacation. In between courses, you can venture off to the nearest tourist attraction or spend weeks lounging beachside. 

While ESL teachers often work in a classroom setting abroad, many also work from the comfort of their own homes using video conferencing platforms like Zoom to reach students worldwide. This career’s downsides are the degree requirements, ranging from bachelor’s to master’s degree prerequisites. Teachers must also supply their own teaching equipment and have limited employee benefits. 

Traveling the world doesn’t have to break the bank, and with these careers, you’ll be able to make money and feed your ravenous wanderlust.  

 

Feature Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash