Because it is easier to apply for visa these days than ever before, coupled with the fact that circulation of information on social media is easier and faster, it is the dream of everyone to travel the world. But there is one big limitation to this dream: Most careers restrict people to a cubical or even a small desk. The working population, which apparently has the money to travel, do not get more than a week or two that they can actually use to visit their dream destinations.

Is It Possible to Work and Travel?

The short answer to this question is yes. The long answer is that traditionally, only those who work from home or from remote locations have had real chances of traveling. According to records at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number was less than 25 percent in 2016, although it was expected to rise to 34 percent by 2020. 

A different data set indicates that employees stand a 38 percent higher chance of traveling often if they rise to management roles. Another group of traveling workers is made up of backpack works such as online business, freelance writing, social media, etc. So, yes! It is possible to travel, but there are certain jobs or roles that will open up more traveling chances for you. 

Types of Career That Enable You to Travel

1. English as a second language

With a good command of the English language, you can become an English as a second language teacher. That will allow you to travel the world and meeting new students all over the world. And what you will love about this career is that when you wish to leave your host country, all you need to do is apply for a visa to another country, book your tickets, and leave to become an ESL teacher elsewhere.

2. Travel Nurse

Travel nurses are nursing professionals who, rather than accepting one permanent position, opt to take on a series of short-term assignments at various locations.

Travel nursing is great for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and other nursing professionals who desire a better work-life balance and would rather set aside a specific block of time for work. In addition to per-hour or per-assignment payments, travel nurses are given a per diem that covers all living expenses for each day they are on assignment.

3. Humanitarian Work

This is a job for those who believe in the larger good. It places you in often stressful situations in parts of the world where you never imagined going. And it could very well change your life.

Becoming a doctor or nurse with an organization like Doctors Without Borders (DWB) places you among a rare subset of health professionals who believe that their work can change the world for the better. While the financial compensations are a fraction of what you could earn stateside, the rewards can be immeasurable. For some doctors and nurses, it is an ideal way to take a sabbatical and rediscover what drew them to the profession in the first place.

4. Consultancy services

If you are an expert in your field, why not apply for several jobs as a consultant instead of limiting your chances to one company only? The good thing about this career is that you will obviously make more money than when you work for one company. Also, you will not have a boss per se because companies will be calling you in only when they need your services. Some of the companies can be in far-away cities or even abroad, so you will be working and traveling a lot, and you will have the money to vacation.A good example would be a career in personal financial advising.

5. Flight attendant

This goes without saying: Working on the plane means that your job will be to travel the world, literally. Do you have a good customer attendant experience? If you do, apply for a job as a flight attendant and you will be a certified traveler soon. Most airline companies don’t care about your first degree provided that you can attend to their customers to satisfactory levels. What’s more, you will make many international friends on the job, get crazy tips, and most importantly, your employer can even compensate you with free or discounted tickets for you to bring your family or friends along. 

6. International aid NGOs

Do you have a passion for helping people? Are you confident enough to survive in a crisis or war-torn area? Can you speak a foreign language? If you can do all these, and more, then you can work as an international aid worker. This job will definitely not make you too much money but at least you will be happy with yourself for touching so many souls with your kindness. You will also make many friends on the job, and you will be traveling a lot.

7. Travel agency

In this job, you will know everything there is to know in the travel and tourism industry. You will know how to apply for a visa and get it faster, how to book hotels and travel destinations, and the seasons when the travel expenses are low.

8. Healthcare Consultant

There are many different types of healthcare consultants who help medical organizations run efficiently and profitably.

Healthcare consultants provide guidance in all areas of hospital administration and service delivery. They may consult on staffing, financial planning, patient flow, process improvement, cost-saving, operations, and more. Additionally, they may oversee major projects such as ICD-10 implementation, HIPAA compliance, and electronic health record (EHR) conversion.

The job is especially well-suited for professionals with a background in hospital administration and/or finance. The ideal candidate should have leadership qualities but also be able to negotiate personalities and often disparate demands from multiple parties. 

Most healthcare consultants work for a consulting firm. Some operate as independent contractors, but that typically requires years of experience to build a client base. 

9. Military Health Careers

Another way to travel or explore new cultures is to join the military as a healthcare professional. If you enlist early in your career, the military may offer advanced degree programs that allow you to expand your medical credentials without accruing additional debt.

To join, you would have to have a medical degree, meet enlistment requirements, and undergo officer training (which lasts between nine and 17 weeks). 

Salaries for doctors in the military can run between $90,000 to $220,000 based on your rank and specialty. Nurses can expect to earn between $50,000 and $85,00 annually. 

While the income is often less than one would attract in the private sector, you will have a package of benefits (including housing and comprehensive health coverage) that may more than make up the difference.

In terms of travel, you can request assignments to parts of the world you've only dreamed of seeing. However, there is no guarantee that you will be sent to your desired location, so you need to be flexible, adaptable, and ready for anything (including deployment to areas of conflict). If you're up for the challenge, the military may be an option well worth considering.

10. Construction management

The good thing about this job is that you will make a lot of money and you will have enough time to spend that money. As a matter of fact, you will be traveling to different site locations to supervise construction projects. So even if you will not be on vacation primarily, you will have a chance to live in a different city or country for many months.