In response to the post-tax season freelancer blues, we’ve been brainstorming jobs and careers that work well with travel writing. After scoping the Matador community, we’ve rounded up 20 examples of how travel writers can pay the bills without resorting to living in your car or working as a chicken sexer.
Photo by Jenschapter3
1. Cook / Chef / Restauranteur
Cooking is a universally-needed skill.
Some of our community members have worked as traveling private chefs like Matador writer Francisco Collazo. A chef with a vision for business ideas could also travel to different countries pitching ideas for new restaurants, developing menus and training restaurant staff.
2. Masseur / Masseuse
In the U.S., you can become a trained and licensed masseur or massage therapist without a Bachelor’s degree. Many community colleges offer low-cost training programs. Specialize in Swedish massage, Thai massage (like Matador member vitaminebeadaily) or therapeutic massage and you’ll be able to apply for jobs worldwide at resorts, five-star hotels or even on cruise ships.
3. Diplomat
Working as a foreign diplomat can give you the chance to travel, learn languages and live in different countries – all on the government’s dime. Matador member Andris includes state diplomat on his resumé. Learn more about the life of a diplomat here.
4. Marine Biologist
Matador member Beth Basinski airs marine biology with dive instruction as she travels. To get started in the field you’ll need at least a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, although a graduate degree and research experience would up your chances of getting a stable job.
5. Wildland Firefighter
Matadorian Eric Warren wrote a great guide to becoming a Wildland Firefighter. There are a lot of misconceptions about the “job,” but for those who qualify, it’s still a seasonal employment option that allows you access into places and communities you’d probably never get to know otherwise.
6. International Teacher
After spending two years teaching in Pakistan, I found international teaching went well with part-time travel writing. Putting in the effort to become a licensed teacher is worth it; many salary packages include housing, round-trip flights, free school for children, paid utilities and professional development trips.
7. Trekking Guide
If you’re into hiking, trekking and adventure travel, think about basing yourself somewhere at a trekking guide like Matador member Dinesh in Nepal.
8. Tour Guide
Working as a tour guide provides a way for you to earn some cash and share your local knowledge. Matador intern Matt Scott lives in Paris and works for an active travel company, and Matador U student Mary Richardson is an expat tour guide in Japan.
9. Wildlife Biologist
In order to find work as a wildlife biologist you will generally need a graduate degree and relevant field experience. Matador writer Ellen Wilson breaks it down here: How to Become a Wildlife Biologist.
10. Yacht Crew Member
Matadorian Ben Keys wrote a guide on how to travel the world by crewing on yachts. We’ve also published an article on how to become a yacht captain.
11. ESL instructor
Anne Merritt’s blog tag explains it best: Travel, Teach, Repeat. ESL jobs vary widely around the world, with some offering sweet packages and some not offering enough to live in a local hovel. In case you end up with the latter, read Anne’s advice on how to quit your ESL job.
12. Photographer
Matador editors Lola Akinmade and Paul Sullivan combine professional photography with travel writing. If you want to learn directly from them, check out the MatadorU travel photography course launched this month.
13. Translator
Matador community ambassador Eileen Smith works as a translator in Chile. Having a degree in translation studies helps you get work, although perhaps even more important is your ability to network.
14. Academic Editor
Matador’s Managing Editor Julie Schwietert also works as an editor of academic dissertations and book-length manuscripts. Read her insights on the life of a freelancer writer and editor on her blog Cuaderno Inedito.
15. Cruise Ship Musician
An experienced musician, singer or entertainer could land gigs on cruise ships like Matador member Andrew .
16. Bush Pilot
Matador writer Cedric Pieterse wrote an excellent guide on how to become a bush pilot.
17. Geologist
While geologists are often tied to one particular locale as a home base, work with government agencies, universities, natural resource companies and non-profit organizations sends them out for field work at least part of the time. Several Matadorians are geologists, including lissie . We’ve also published a guide on how to become a geologist.
18. NGO Worker
NGO workers and humanitarian aid workers are active the world over. Not only does a career in this type of work facilitate travel, but it also serves as a way for you to give back to the communities you travel and live in. Read more from Matador writer Ryan Libre about How to Start a Successful NGO in 10 Steps .
19. Ethnomusicologist
While ethnomusicology may not be the most lucrative career, it combines travel with writing and experiencing new cultures. Matador member Aaron Appleton shares about how he travels the world through music.
20. Professional Dancer
Matador writer Meagan Kelly wrote about how she learned Turkish while training with Fire of Anatalio, a professional dance group in Turkey. Meagan also works as a videographer, so there’s one more day job idea as a bonus.
Community Connection
Know any more careers that work well with travel writing? Let us know in the comment section!
For more ideas, check out 10 Travel Jobs Within Your Reach.
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10 Comments... join the discussion!
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I had intelligence agent on my original list but could not find a representative in the Matador community! Publishing under a pen name, perhaps?
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great post Heather! David, you’re hilarious!
“nobody ever said, ‘I want to be a drug mule when I grow up.’”↵ -
Great list! Who knew travel writers could be diplomats! That was a surprise to see on the list, but I guess it makes sense. Travel writers who are “seasoned” travelers bring a lot to the table. They understand cultures, appreciate other countries, understand that each country is unique, and have many other insights that others may not have.
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Interestingly enough, the State Department actually tends to avoid the “seasoned travelers” when it comes to their recruiting (I have several friends in the foreign service, which is where this info comes from). They worry that folks who are too travel-focused will lack focus in their jobs as representatives of America and will have too much “local sympathy”. It sounds counter-intuitive, but that’s how they view it. Someone who has been abroad a little bit has a leg up, but someone who has spend a substantial chunk of time abroad will actually have a bit of a setback. Similarly, if you have traveled extensively, especially to places like Cambodia, Columbia, Central Asia, or other semi-controversial locations, it can be a block to getting top secret clearance, which all diplomats are required to obtain.
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For what it’s worth, my boyfriend works for the federal government (investigations) and he travels all the time for work. Not only that, but since many offices in the federal govt. have offices in every state and territory, plus a few overseas, with their easy transfer system a federal worker is almost location independent.
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Thanks for sharing. Thought your boyfriend was the non-traveler in the couple. Do you feel that kind of job could lead to travel writing on the side, or is it too demanding?
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He’s the non-traveler in that he doesn’t travel for extended periods of time. He has two weeks of vacation per year, and he usually uses it to visit his family in France. Other than that, he flies to places to interview people for a day, perhaps two, at a time. It’s actually very tiring, which is one of the reasons he prefers not to travel much outside work.
It really depends entirely on the job. Some govt. jobs are strictly 9-5, and others are more like 24/7.
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He’s the non-traveler in that he doesn’t travel for extended periods of time. He has two weeks of vacation per year, and he usually uses it to visit his family in France. Other than that, he flies to places to interview people for a day, perhaps two, at a time. It’s actually very tiring, which is one of the reasons he prefers not to travel much outside work.
It really depends entirely on the job. Some govt. jobs are strictly 9-5, and others are more like 24/7.
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HI guys i just finished my 12th std(science) and was wondering what degree should i opt for where I will have to go to abroad most of the times,,,,,i dont mind if the pay is less if I can go abroad and ive got allowances……i really dont know what m interested in the most…i like media…but i dont know if m talented enough…and I am scared to take up bbm since I am from a science background and engineering well people say its tough……plzzz help me guys….never been out of my country…really want to go out there and explore the world…
P:S : i also like interacting with people, taking their interviews and stuff..and advice will be appreciated thankyou!↵
