Travel Or Career - What Are Your Options & How to Choose Your Next Move

Life is a journey, and at some point, you may find yourself at a crossroads: Should you pursue your dream career or embark on a journey of travel and exploration? Both options have their own push and pull factors which can lead you to stand at a crossroads.

Being unsure of your decision can be stressful, but the weight of feeling like you have made the wrong decision is a much heavier burden to hold when your decision is rushed into. Perhaps you are a graduate who is just at the edge of stepping into the real world and working up the corporate ladder. Allowing yourself the final bit of freedom might seem attractive, but perhaps the cost of travelling and the pressure of professional growth is holding you back. On the other hand, you might be well into your profession considering a career break. The thought of leaving the life you have known for years is unimaginable, but your heart may be dragging you to follow your passion and hit the road.

No matter the reason for coming to this choice, you have to weigh up the positives and negatives of each option, and how much of an impact it will have on your life and well-being as you know it.

In this blog post, we will share who to choose between travelling and your career, what your options are and actionable steps to give yourself the mental clarity you need. 

1. Define Your Goals and Priorities

First things first, you need to get to grips with what your goals and priorities are. You need to be transparent, and reflect on what things are currently setting you back, and which option would make life more enjoyable, and also feasible for you. Do you have a passion for seeing the world and exploring new cultures? Or do you see yourself as a young CEO at the age of 25? Consider what drives you, what dreams you have and what gets you out of bed in the morning. If it is simply money, is your career earning you enough money? Or could you work abroad, earn money and still experience the new cultures? Write down what your short-term and long-term goals are, and see what secrets they reveal about your true ambitions.

2. Consider Your Financial Situation

Although we would all love to be millionaires and have financial freedom, you need to consider what your financial situation is. If you have no money right now but you want to go travelling, you need to make sure that you have a sum of money saved up first, hence why you would need to make your career a priority for the short term. On the other hand, if you are earning a significant amount and want to climb the corporate ladder for higher earning potential, whilst also wanting to take a break travelling, you need to consider the delay this will have on your dream earning potential. If you have a sum of money saved up to allow you to enjoy the expansive beauty the world has to offer without anything tying you down, this would be an ideal situation to choose travelling over your career.

3. Assess Your Career Aspirations

If you're leaning toward a career, consider your long-term career aspirations. Research potential fields that align with your interests, college qualifications, and ideal earnings. For example, if you are looking for a career in dentistry, there is a long time between getting the qualification and people being able to become a qualified Leamington Spa dentist. This may encourage you to go travelling before you put your head down for studies, as a break between the learning may hinder your experience and results. If you are not sure what you want to do, it might be a good idea to have work experience abroad in different industries. You will experience the best of both worlds, gaining work experience whilst visiting the wonders the earth has to offer.

4. Explore Travel Opportunities

Once you have an understanding of the field you would like to specialise in, or if you are still uncertain, do some research on the travel opportunities that are available for someone in your age range, and with your experience. Hundreds of travel companies support solo and group travellers on their journey overseas, and plan the trip on behalf of you based on your ideal experience. Gain a rough idea of the areas you would like to visit, whether it be southeast Asia or America, and nail down where you would go and what you would do should you choose to go travelling and halt your career.

5. Balance Between Passion and Practicality

The decision between a career and travel often involves a balance between passion and practicality. For example, if you are planning to go travelling for 6 months and leave your job, you need to be prepared with a sufficient level of funds to keep you going, whilst making sure you can still maintain your quality of living when you are home. It is no use coming home from travelling with no place to stay! You might use your time to work, or also find job opportunities whilst you are travelling. On the other hand, if you are choosing your career but also have a desire to travel, aim to find a job offering enough annual leave during the year to still have allocated time for visiting new countries. Although this will be a shortened time, you can rest assured that you will be receiving annual leave pay, and have a secure job to come back home to.

6. Think About Personal Growth

Both career and travel can be avenues for personal growth but in different ways. A career can offer structured growth through skill development and professional experiences, while travel can provide personal growth through exposure to diverse cultures, people, and challenges. Consider which avenue aligns more with your personal growth goals.

7. Consider Time Horizons

Think about your time horizons and what stage of life you are currently at. Forget what society is telling you. If you have the desire to leave your profession and go travelling at 40, go ahead and do it. On the other hand, if you are in an amazing job that ensures you can pay your mortgage, and you are looking to settle down with a partner, it may not be the best time to get up and leave to see the world. Make sure that your decision lines up with what you want for yourself in the short and long term.

8. Factor in Family and Relationships

Speaking of settling down, your decision should also consider the impact on your family and relationships. If you have a long-term partner, you need to discuss how you feel and what the push and pull factors are for your travelling and career desires. Decide if you want to factor them in or out of the decision. Additionally, if you have other family members who rely on your support, consider how you can make sure they still have support should you choose to go travelling. You should not let anyone affect your decision to go into a career or travel. It needs to be a selfish decision, unfortunately, as it is your life!

9. Embrace Flexibility

Life rarely follows a straight path, and that is okay. Be open to the idea that your choice between a career and travel doesn't have to be permanent. You can pursue a career for a while, then take a sabbatical to travel, or vice versa. Embracing flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving priorities.

10. Seek Advice and Guidance

Don't hesitate to seek advice and guidance from mentors or friends. Getting insight from people who have been in the same situation as you can be especially helpful during times like these. Open up, and try to get an unbiased opinion on what would be the ideal decision based on your situation from an outsider's perspective.

11. Create a Plan

Once you've made your decision, create a plan. If you're choosing a career, outline the steps you need to take to reach your career goals. If you're opting for travel, plan your itinerary and make the necessary arrangements. Having a well-thought-out plan will give you a sense of direction and purpose.

12. Embrace the Journey

Whether you choose a career or travel, remember that life is a journey! Embrace the path you've chosen with enthusiasm and determination, as it is your life and you are in control of what direction to take. Both choices have the potential to bring fulfilment and happiness if pursued wholeheartedly.

Conclusion

Choosing between a career and travel is a significant decision that can shape your life's trajectory. Ultimately, the decision is deeply personal and should align with your unique aspirations and desires. Whichever path you choose, remember that life is a journey filled with opportunities for growth, adventure, and fulfilment.