[hurley21]

I wasn't sure where to post this exactly, so general seemed good.

I have been trying to choose a career for the last 3 years. That seems normal at first. However, I spend hours and hours doing online research, watching job videos on youtube, speaking to people about their jobs and taking every career/personality test I can get my hands on. I have come up with nothing.

1. I can't think of anything that I would call my passion, hobby or interest (except becoming a billionaire and getting to travel extensively)
2. I have issues accepting the fact that we live in a world where one or two weeks of vacation is reasonable, or is supposed to make anyone happy.
3. In my utopian world, I would want money to be no issue and I would like to spend my one shot on this earth traveling around and exploring all this world has to offer. Different cultures, geographic features... basically, a globe explorer.
4. I have considered jobs with extensive work travel like flight attendant, internal auditor, engineering/IT field technician, etc. I am not sure that I would enjoy traveling and only seeing the inside of an airport, company and hotel room. That seems like getting to try the most sinfully delicious dessert in the world without taste buds.

I have come to accept that globe trotter is not a possibility because I am not an heiress/billionaire/lottery winner.

Does anyone feel the same? Even remotely similar?

Please no comments on depression as a factor here. I have developed depression BECAUSE I cannot have my passion become a reality and all of the other options just seem inadequate. Thanks to all who read this.

[Rhapsody]

How about a job on a cruise ship? - even captain.

[Elysium]

Have you ever thought about backpacking across a country? You could see a whole lot in that way and you could experience staying in hostels and meeting wonderful people.

This is something that could take a month or two out of your year at one time so you could plan a job/career around that.

I can imagine it's difficult to not be able to find your passion in life, most importantly though one needs a job to support themselves. A job IS different then a career though. So...if you can find a job that would support you taking a couple months off a year for your travels I say go for it. But usually the careers that require/offer travel are as you say....airplanes, airports, and hotels.

Good luck to you.

[Pomegranate]

Have you thought of traveling and getting jobs when you get to where you want to go? It may not be the luxury route but many people who love to travel do this sort of thing. You are immersed in the culture and stay until you have enough money to travel to your next destination.

Or if you major in teaching the English language, you could find jobs at schools around the world.

[Yoda]

I would say give traveling a go and see what there is to see. My electrician traveled to several different countries before he "settled down". At one point he was supporting himself by diving for coral that he sold. Do what you want to do. There is no hurry to pursue a career. Life isn't a race. Do your best at whatever you do and know that what you want now will be different from what you want in twenty years or forty years.

[Junerain]

I started googling EVERYTHING for you, and I feel, why become a flight attendant and MAKE A POINT of actually getting out there & really seeing the city you happen to wind up in!! One flight attendant wrote about her experiences traveling in the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Alone-L...7814480&sr=8-1

[splitimage]

OK - the so the job security isn't there, and you're always chasing assignments but I met a guy who litterally spent 15 years travelling around the world as a freelance travel photographer, and I mean this guy has been just about everywhere that it's not actively suicidal to go.

Freelance travel writing is another way to go.

Of course this presupposes that one is good with photography or writing.

Once you think outside of the traditional career with the same company and benefits route, there are all kinds of possibilities.

If you're mulitlingual you can make a career at club med, I met a bunch of people working there who had worked at club meds all over the world.

--splitimage

[AmaShel567]

You could join the peace corps. They travel all over the world helping others. You would also learn another language while you were at it, which is good for job security for when you get back.

[jexa]

Teach English abroad! You DO NOT need to know the native language to teach English!!

This is a good place to start:

http://www.hess.com.tw

You will make decent money and explore new cultures. All countries in Asia will be looking for English teachers. In Korea especially, they are seeking any teachers they can get their hands on. They pay best in Korea, but have the least structure. The more experience you get, the better decisions you can make.

If you love to write, you could also supplement your income with a travel blog, or you could simply write, and allow yourself to be inspired by your surroundings, and perhaps you will make some money.

Another way to travel very cheaply is the site helpx.net, where all across the globe people are looking for help (usually working about 25 hours/week) in exchange for room and board. It's an opportunity to learn something from your host, such as Italian cooking, how to milk a cow, etc. This is not a career; however, if you are an English teacher you may find more opportunities this way.

[Rmdctc]

I feel the same way that you did. I have no idea what I want to do. There are lots of things I like but I would not say I'm passionate about. I have this feeling of dread to know that I would have to do the something for a long time or that I would be able to be somewhere flexible because I like doing my own thing. Who knows when or if I will get my "act" together and do something.

[VickiesPath]

One word of caution: I worked in a job where my home was in one place in the midwest but I traveled (drove) probably three or four out of five days a week. It gets old. I had two of everything and had a bag packed 24/7. So, be sure you get the type of travel you want. If you want to be permanently based out of Korea for a year, then great. That would be OK. There's no way I could be a flight attendant.