Why I Left my Desk Job to Travel the World

From Corporate to Unconstrained

I didn’t have much experience traveling growing up and by the time I got to college as a journalism major I was on a very specific track: finish as early as possible and start working in magazines asap so when my mom suggested a semester studying abroad I pushed it aside. Fast forward a few years and I’m an unhappy, recently laid off writer in New York City who gets the opportunity to visit Europe. The wanderlust set in and I began to travel the world as much as possible, but it was difficult working in a corporate position with only a few vacation days allotted per year.

Journalism didn’t work out for me – I hated the instability of frequent layoffs and was disillusioned with the industry after witnessing many unethical practices. I left my studio apartment behind and moved in with my parents in Florida figuring I would just need a few months to regroup and then I could find another job in NYC maybe in marketing, or as a personal assistant or even customer service. In the meantime I took a job bartending at a local craft beer joint and suddenly found myself with little time to work on applications or study for law school (another desperate idea I came up with after leaving the field I’d put so much stock into).

Despite feeling ungrounded, I was making good money and started saving for a trip to Australia and New Zealand. I realized that with the long flights it would be best to do this type of trip while I still had a flexible schedule and before I returned to the limited world of 10 vacation days a year. I initially tried to convince friends and family to go with me but found that it didn’t really work with anyone’s schedule, budget or general interest so I decided to go alone. I’m very comfortable doing things by myself. I moved to NYC with a job offer, but no friends or acquaintances. I didn’t let that hold me back: I started eating out solo, visiting museums by myself and relaxing in Central Park sans company. I spent several months abroad and it changed my life. Before I left I’d set up a job working at a ski resort, following the suggestion of a friend, figuring it would be some income for a few months when I return to the “real world” and buy me some time to get hired at a respectable job in NYC. Life had opposite plans. I loved ski instructing and signed on to work at Snowshoe in the summer as well, deciding that I could make this my career. I don’t think I was meant to work in an office anyway.

Currently I teach skiing and snowboarding in the winter and spend the summers teaching English online. There are so many ways to work remotely and travel more. It’s even possible to be a traveling teacher. Although having seasonal or freelance jobs can require more financial planning, I’ve never been happier.