Fulfilling a dream of many, having a job that pays while allowing travel, especially for those not ready to hit the road due to work commitments.
20 jobs allowing you to travel the world and earn money
The following jobs will take care of bills, rent, food expenses, or even savings, gradually filling up the pages of your passport.
Sophie Saint, a Travelettes writer, suggests: “Pick what you often imagine as a tightly scheduled job, or even tedious and repetitive. From there, you can consider if you have the determination to shift careers, diving into the journey of exploring the world or not.”
Waiter/Waitress
As long as you're willing, unbothered by the hustle around the restaurant, sweating it out, and always wearing a smile, being a waiter/waitress is the simplest starting point for you.
Barista (Beverage Maker)
This job is quite close to being a waiter/waitress, but beverage-making skills are always highly regarded in the customer service industry. If you know the art of making an eye-catching latte, capable of crafting a perfectly flavored Italian Negroni cocktail, you can confidently thrive in any bustling city.
Flight Attendant
With approximately 30-50 hours of flying per week, whether short or long-haul flights, meeting passengers and crews from all over the world... these are the elements that make up an ideal working environment up in the sky. However, you need to ensure your stomach is strong enough to handle airline food regularly, along with other challenges of 'living in the clouds'.
Living on a Cruise Ship
This profession demands that your stomach must be truly resilient to withstand the 'four seas are home' scenario. If you're willing, you can work as a waiter/waitress or a sanitation worker on a cruise ship; these positions don't require much knowledge or skill. If you have talent or higher qualifications, you can work as a bartender, singer, service manager, or even a ship captain.
Hotel Staff
If you don't enjoy the swaying of the waves, you might consider working for multinational hotel chains. Look for reputable brands, apply for jobs, and strive for gradual promotions, which can eventually lead to frequent transfers. From cooking to customer care, hotel chains offer countless career options.
Hotel Inspector or Photographer
Companies like Airbnb or Sawday’s have many places that need to be photographed and quality checked. This job might give you a trip to Europe, meeting many hosts or traveling around, taking photos of the hotel rooms you stay in...
Tour Guide
Sharing knowledge about the city you live in is also an exciting start for the profession of tour guide. If you're confident enough, you can drive a group of strangers to explore the alleys, learn about the local culture, making them feel welcomed... Some tour guides Sophie has met have been very successful when they work with passion. Not only domestic traveling, tour guides also have many opportunities to go abroad if they are proficient in their profession.
Interpreter
Growing up, Sophia often blamed her Malaysian mother for not teaching her the native language, because knowing multiple languages opens many career opportunities. You can work in translation departments of governments, tourist support offices at foreign embassies, international translation companies, businesses...
Government Employee
Working in a government environment may not be appealing to many, but the truth is quite the opposite. Professions such as police, military, diplomacy... can open up opportunities for going abroad or working remotely.
Sophie met some US embassy staff in Thailand, when they were on weekend vacation for the national holiday. 'Life really favors these people,' she wrote.
Working in an office abroad will give you the opportunity to explore a new culture, but there's no guarantee that your work environment will be a paradise or a hellhole.
Import-Export Companies
Sophie worked in the marketing department of an export company, signing contracts with many international clients so employees have frequent opportunities to go abroad. However, she herself didn't travel much, mainly directors would fly to meet suppliers or partners around the world. From India to Japan, there are no limits to destinations. Sophie believes that the guiding principle of this profession is that you must have a high level of determination to advance.
English Teacher
Certainly, this is a common job, but that doesn't mean it's easy to make money from it. As an English teacher, whether tutoring or classroom teaching, you still need confidence and patience, and enough in-depth knowledge of the curriculum.
Social Work
This job will give you the opportunity to contribute to the community and open doors to new lands. Elisa Fourt, a friend of Sophie's, traveled the world to help refugees.

When it comes to traveling, people often think of it as entertainment. But stepping foot in other countries means much more to me, ever since I took on this mission. I travel to listen to the stories of the forgotten, those without a voice and living in dire conditions. I travel to contribute my skills, raise awareness about the lives of refugees through media, society, and philanthropic efforts,” Elise shared.
Nurse or Doctor
Medical professionals always find opportunities in foreign lands, whether it's a hospital or an international charity organization.
Yoga Instructor
From India to Bali, people in many countries have the habit of practicing yoga. With certification, you can both improve your physical fitness and travel around.
Scuba Diving Instructor
Fast and affordable courses from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) will equip you with the necessary skills. Once certified, you can explore the islands' seas to meet new people and earn a living from diving.
Nanny or Au Pair
Being a nanny is a popular job that allows you to travel abroad. You'll need to watch over the children for a few hours after school, do household chores... tasks vary depending on the host's requirements. You may need to undergo training courses, pass registration rounds with nanny placement agencies... If you love children, you'll find joy in the job.
Archaeologist
Sophie has a degree in archaeology, but she doesn't suggest anyone pursue this profession just for the sake of traveling. Treasures are often found in remote and desolate places, where you have to slog through mud for 8 hours a day. Sophie herself tasted bitterness when she excavated in South Dakota, coming back empty-handed while others always found dozens of arrowheads. However, she has unforgettable memories and deep knowledge of local history from a month living there.

Marketing Wizard
Marketing is a profession that can take you around the world, provided you're truly skilled to join a renowned brand. Marketing skills are applied in various positions, from content strategists to copywriters, social media managers, or email marketers... A travel website or an adventure gear brand will promise a long-term career for you.
Freelancer
Freelancers or independent workers will be their own bosses, earning money on their terms, deciding which projects to accept or reject... Thanks to its flexibility, this job doesn't tie one down to a specific work environment or living space, but it requires competence, determination, high discipline, and especially a wide network.
Suitable jobs for freelancers may include tour guides, freelance writers, journalists, graphic designers, photographers, videographers...
Travel Blogger or Vlogger
The journey to become someone paid to travel is very challenging, but if you're into writing, photography, or filmmaking, you should give it a try. You should embark on this career with a passion for exploration and a desire to share, rather than doing everything for money.
Source: Pham Huyen/Vnexpress
***
Reference: Travel Handbook Mytour
MytourFebruary 6, 2018