What to do - Make it Resume Worthy
Choose your itinerary with some thought about coming back to the workforce. All of these ideas can be highlighted on a resume or in an interview with a little creative forethought. Travel can be about building skill sets and soft skills which are valued in the workplace.
-
Include volunteering that compliments your skill sets or has you test out new skill sets.
-
Learn how to blog
-
Sign up for and learn how to utilize social networks like Linked In, Twitter, and Facebook
-
Improve a skill such as a foreign language, photography, business through microfinancing, sailing, or cooking.
-
Get certified! Dive certification, ESL teaching certification, or Yoga certification.
-
Include some countries on your itinerary based on cultures you interact with in the workplace currently. For example, does your company manufacture something in China, or do you outsource resources from India? Then these could be great cultures to explore and learn more about on your career break.
VOLUNTEERING:
WHY DO IT?
Why should you consider volunteering as part of your career break travels? Not only does it look good on your resume, but Lillie Marshall shares her experiences on why she volunteered as part of her career break.
But what if you don't want to volunteer and teach English? No problem, there are a number of other ways that you can volunteer and use your skills - volunteering isn't just teaching English. The organization, Do Good As You Go aims to utilize your existing skill sets and professional background to volunteer in areas of need.
VOLUNTEERING EXPECTATIONS
Sometimes the hardest thing to deal with is when you feel let down by your volunteering experience. It's important to set your expectations before you begin your volunteering - else you may end up pretty disappointed.
JoAnna Haugen worked for the Peace Corps in Kenya and shares how to set realistic expectations when you are planning to volunteer.
DEEP CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Randy LeGrant talks about GeoVisions volunteer programs, a unique opportunity to do cultural exchange and give back. GeoVisions has a number of programs around the world that will have you delving into the local culture.
Listen to this Audio Interview with Randy - 14 minutes
To see just how deep you can go culturally, you can read Sherry Ott’s Volunteer Chronicles from the Middle East, where she spent the winter living with locals through GeoVisions.
OTHER VOLUNTEERING RESOURCES
Free volunteering opportunities - yes they really do exist!
>>How to choose an International Volunteering Program
>>Preparing to Leave as an International Volunteer
>>Volunteer Traveler's Handbook by Shannon O'Donnell
WORKING ON THE ROAD - WHY DO IT?
Lisa Lubin talks about why and where she found random jobs around the world
>>How you can Find Work on the Road
TEACHING ESL (ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE)
Teaching ESL allows you to connect with the local community in a way that is much different than being just a traveler. You are also able to make money for your travels while giving back, and you truly get to experience life as a local. In addition, it provides a perfect vehicle for the international travel that you seek. For example, as an English teacher in Czech Republic such great destinations as Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Poland will be within easy reach. Or consider teaching in Vietnam, and you could easily find yourself taking holidays in China, Thailand, or perhaps among the entrancing ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
>>Where to Begin - How to Pursue Teaching ESL
>>Teaching English as a Resume Booster
OTHER RESUME WORTHY ACTIVITIES
>>Guide to taking classes or learning new skills on your trip
>>Long Term Travel As Education
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.