Over the past few years, global events have caused the average work day to take on new forms. Instead of spending your typical 9 to 5 in an office cubical, many began working remotely. While many things have started to change back, one thing that has not is employees’ priorities. These include freedom and flexibility over the typical work routine. With this shift, people have increasingly started to value travel, as they work less and enjoy new experiences. Are you an adventurer searching for international career options? Follow this guide to help inspire your future career and travels.
Changing values
The pandemic has reshaped the world of work to its core. As a result, there has been a major shift in employees’ priorities, who are now choosing freedom and flexibility over stability and routine.
The first dramatic change has seen individuals learning to be successful in a remote work setup. While working remotely may have posed a challenge for some, many appreciated the flexibility it provided. This includes working whenever suits you and where you find most comfortable.
Another significant transformation in the employment market was marked by the Great Resignation. Huge amounts of employees have quit their jobs to become entrepreneurs. This was the result of people searching for a good work-life balance and financial security without relying on others.
It turns out that people were also looking to work less and live more, as they want to find time to enjoy life and travel. Many people love traveling because they get easily bored and fed up with the feeling of familiarity and routine. An international career allows you to challenge yourself while learning about new cultures.
You might be one of those thinking about setting up their own business, perhaps working from the comfort of your own home or from abroad. You might, however, be stuck on ideas for what to do to earn money. Here are some ideas for international career options.
1. Professional trainer
Do you have a skill? Teach it! Many skills can be taught by an instructor, from sports to tech.
Do a little marketing research to find out if there are many instructors like you in the area you want to move to. If you think there’s already a wide selection, find your niche. For example, if you want to teach yoga but there are already too many yoga instructors in your favorite destination, think about teaching yoga to the elderly, pregnant women, or children.Â
If teaching in person is too complicated, you can always set up your business online, synchronously (live), or asynchronously (pre-recorded videos).
2. Blogger
Blogs are still going strong, but running a successful and lucrative blog is not as simple as it may seem. Although you could have a blog that covers all sorts of topics, from sports to politics, you might find that specializing in a niche can be more effective. Choose something that genuinely interests you, otherwise you will soon get bored and abandon your blogging career before it even takes off.
Your posts should be engaging, informative, and easy to read, but that’s not enough to make a passive income. Consider different types of marketing, like product placement and email marketing, to monetize your blog.
3. Content writer
If you enjoy writing but don’t want the responsibility of running a blog, you can always write content for someone else’s blog. This can be an international career as with a laptop and internet connection you could work from anywhere in the world.
As people are buying your content, your writing should be refined: from style to accuracy, you should be able to produce something that attracts the readers and keeps them hooked.
4. Au pair
If you like working with children and want to move abroad with minimum effort, being an au pair could be your starting point. This career allows you to live with your host family and look after their children.
The roles of an au pair usually involve doing the school run, preparing meals for the kids, and helping them with their homework. This means that you will not spend on accommodation or food. You will also have a salary and enough time to explore your new environment, learn a new skill, or retrain for a new career.
5. Teacher of English as a foreign language
Becoming a teacher of English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a very popular option that allows you to travel while earning a living either in-person or online. You might choose to teach English abroad as a temporary job while visiting other countries, but it can become your next career as well as a stable profession.Â
As long as you are fluent in the English language and over 18, you are eligible to become a TEFL teacher. To become one, you don’t need a university degree, although it’s preferred and it might be a visa requirement to enter specific countries.
You will, however, need a 120-hour TEFL qualification, which will give you the basic skills and knowledge to walk confidently into your classroom – virtual or not – from the very first day.
During the course, you will develop your language knowledge and understand what students might struggle with when learning English. You will learn how to plan effective lessons and engaging materials, as well as useful practice exercises. Also, you will master classroom skills that will allow your classes to run smoothly.
If you are planning on teaching abroad, rather than online, where would you like to go? What are the criteria that will help you choose your destination? Here are some ideas.
- If you are looking for an idyllic lifestyle with a low cost of living, consider Thailand and Vietnam.
- For countries that offer exceptionally high salaries and attractive benefits packages, look no further than Japan and South Korea in East Asia and Kuwait and Oman in the Middle East;
- If what drives you is immersing yourself in culture, history, and traditions, China is for you. From megalopoleis to rural hamlets, from deserts to snow-capped mountains, there are diverse environments to choose from. Similarly, the payment for teachers in China varies greatly depending on the area and the institution you work for.
Have you been inspired?
There are many job options that can give you freedom and flexibility while letting you travel. Think about the above ideas for international careers and consider making an exciting career switch.
Additional articles you might be interested in:
- 7 Things You Need To Know About Living Abroad As An Entrepreneur
- 5 Tips For Bloggers On How To Create An Impeccable Post
- How To Format Content For Your Blog
- How To Build Your Personal Brand
- 3 Steps To Help You Make A Living Off Your New Blog
- How To Discover And Engage Your Target Audience
- 3 Factors You Need When Creating A Successful Post-Pandemic Blog
- How To Run A Health Blog That Empowers Your Audience
- You Can Start A Blog In The New Year
- How To Refine Your Writing Style As A Blogger
- How To Ditch Your 9-5 Grind And Become A Full-Time Blogger
- 4 Things You Need to Know Before Choosing A Domain Name
- How To Build A Credible Online Brand Through Content Marketing
- How To Hit Your Social Media Marketing Goals
- Why Social Media Marketing Is Important For Any Online Company
- 3 Ways To Keep Your Customers Engaged
Alaine Meier is a blogger at LadyBossBlogger. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a BA in Economics and a minor in Environmental Studies.
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