Careers That Require Travel Around the World

Travel agents, humanitarians and some journalists travel for their jobs.

A wide variety of careers--beyond airline pilots, flight attendants and diplomats--are available for people who want travel to be an integral part of their job.

Humanitarians

Humanitarian agencies provide food and assistance to developing countries and locales that have been hit by natural disasters. Teams that include a variety of professionals travel to around the world as needed. Organizations such as One World 365, Doctors Without Borders and Americans for the Health and Dignity of Women Everywhere hire staff to run programs, facilitate trips and train and lead volunteers while on location in different countries.

Journalists

News agencies, magazines and TV stations hire journalists to travel to cover stories as correspondents and as in-country reporters. Correspondents fly to other countries when news happens; others follow foreign dignitaries or ride with the president on his travels. Other reporters and photojournalists remain in various countries for a set period of time and send regular stories back to their publishers.

Civil Servants

Many government agencies use political operatives and civil servants to work in international departments. Government jobs that require travel overseas include the Central Intelligence Agency, the United Nations and the Department of State. Like journalists, foreign government jobs may consist of a short-term or long-term assignments or require travel as needed. Jobs through the Department of State include embassy positions and translators.

Import and Export Business

Import and export companies build relationships with manufacturers and wholesalers around the world. While the travel may not be required on a daily basis, sales and purchasing employees make frequent trips to foreign suppliers and customers. You can search for jobs in this area through The Federation of International Trade Associations website.

Travel Agents and Tour Guides

Travel agents often visit destinations to check them out for clients. Tour guides visit international locations to plan group trips. While the Internet has been replacing travel agents, a good number of travelers prefer to work with an agent who has visited the destinations they are interested in. Travel agents who have expertise in specific areas, such as history or river rafting, bring tour groups to areas where the agents can use their expertise to guide travelers. Some travel agents also receive free cruises and hotel stays when new properties open, so they can sell the destinations to their clients.

References

• U.S. State Department: Careers
• One World 365: Humanitarian Projects & Voluntary Work Aid Programs

Resources

• Federation of International Trade Associations