New York City Event
Join Sherry Ott and Michaela Potter for an evening of
travel information and inspiration.
Have you been laid off, stuck in a rut, or just plain burnt out in your career? Want to follow your dreams of extended travel but afraid it might look bad on your resume? Or are you even looking to create a new lifestyle and career for yourself? Meet some New Yorkers who have done it!
Hear from a panel who will answer your questions and dispense sage advice: travelers who have taken career breaks, and travel planning experts to show you how it's done. In addition, there will be lots of informal mingling with local travelers of every type to share their experiences, tips, and tricks. At the New York City event you will have the opportunity to meet (among others):
Jennifer Baggett, who is one-third of The Lost Girls, three media professionals who embarked on a year-long search for adventure and inspiration. Prior to the trip, she worked as a marketing and promotions professional and held positions at Sundance Channel, Vh1, and NBC Universal.
Michael Bontempi, who made the transition from Briefcase to Backpack having left his corporate job of 14 years to travel...and then returned to the Briefcase in a new role with a new company.
Sherry Ott, who left her corporate IT job for 16 months of travel, which has now turned into 4 years on the road. She has sworn off the briefcase and is living out of her backpack as she has taken on a new career as a writer and photographer.
Brian Peters, who in February 2008 was laid off from his Information Technology job. While most people would react with disappointment or even anger, he successfully transitioned from working a white-collar 9-5 job to traveling the world.
Michaela Potter, who has incorporated mini-career breaks throughout the past 15 years while transitioning from non-profit event planning to corporate video production to a freelance career.
Brook Silva-Braga, who quit his job at HBO to travel the world for a year. In the process he made the award-winning travel documentary "A Map for Saturday" and now works as a roaming documentary producer.
Meet Your Hosts | Sherry Ott & Michaela Potter
NEW YORK CITY RECAPS:
Marie’s World: Meet, Plan, Go! NYC Recap
Briefcase to Backpack: Career Break Doesn’t Equal Career Suicide
Traveling Philosopher: They Met, They Planned, They Went
New York City Photos – courtesy of Jodi Ettenberg
Local Sponsors:
The All-Star panelists for the New York Meet Plan Go Event above will totally inspire you and give you guidance as you consider taking a break and traveling independently for a period of time longer than a few weeks. BootsnAll was co-founded in 1998 after I took a year-long trip as a young man with this thought...the best part of travel is the people that you meet, both travelers and locals alike. Meet Plan Go New York is doing this big time. We are proud to be associated with them. Check out our deals from New York for inspiration. We can also help with cheap airline tickets to anywhere, or choosing the best netbooks for traveling to keep you mobile.
Sean E. Keener - Co-Founder of the BootsnAll Travel Network
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.