The truth is, seeing the world gives your professional future an instant makeover. Traveling to other countries will transform your outlook on life in general, push you to get outside of your daily work rut, and it might even impact your career aspirations.
Everything you do in your 20s matters. So make the most of it in order to save time and disappointment later. If you don’t know the best career move for your future, you might want to consider traveling.
I know that taking time away from your demanding work schedule in order to travel the world may sound like career suicide, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s actually a career booster, especially if you are willing to expand your mind and apply what you learned on your journey.
Are you ready to make a leap in your career? Here are 6 reasons why traveling the world is the best career decision that you can make in your 20s:
1.You get to explore global networking opportunities
Everyone knows that networking is key to climbing the career ladder and successfully positioning yourself as an entrepreneur. The best networking opportunities come when you travel. Why? You have access to a universe of professionals that you would have never met if you would have stayed in your current residence.
Every person that you meet can expose you to new ideas and ways of doing business that will allow you to think outside the constraints of your social circle. Think about the value of your social equity if you are able to say that you are connected with people from all over the world.
“The world is a book, and those who don’t travel only read one page.” – St Augustine
2. Spreads your career wings
Who said you had to settle down and marry one career in your 20s? The average person changes careers multiple times, gaining various skills in each profession. The greatest thing about traveling is that it allows you to figure out what drives you; what really makes you happy.
Use your time to try out careers that interest you, even if you just volunteer at a community organization. Test the waters and find out what you love. Then, do whatever you need to do to get into that industry when you return, even if it is only an entry-level position. Follow your bliss and you will never regret it!
3. Improves your future impact
What will be the most sought-after skills five years from now? Companies are constantly expanding their businesses overseas and working with clients from all over the world. Between two candidates with comparable work experience and formal education training, the person who has international exposure is most likely to get the job.
You need to have experiences in foreign cultures in order to advance at these successful, global companies. International exposure makes you valuable.
4. You can learn a foreign language
With universal unemployment problems, being multilingual is definitely a competitive edge over others. Language will break down barriers and allow you to connect with more people. Take the time to learn a language when you are young.
It is an ability that tells of a person’s cultural intelligence, commitment to learning, and openness to diverse people. These qualities are highly valued in the marketplace and will allow you to attract more opportunities than your monolingual peers.
5. Builds your career confidence
Traveling builds your confidence in ways that you never imagined. If you can climb steep mountains, eat foreign foods, and immerse yourself in an environment where you can’t speak the language, what can’t you do? This confidence carries over to your career. After challenging and unexpected, though inevitable situations, you have an innate sense of confidence in your ability to handle difficult situations in your life.
Besides that, traveling the world helps you define what you want in life and gives you the confidence to go out and do it. When you know what you want, you are able to identify jobs that allow you to add the most value and be happy. You don’t settle for a job out of fear of not having financial sustainability. You search for the job the sets your soul on fire.
6. Releases your untapped potential
You never know what you can do unless you try it. The more opportunities that you take outside your comfort zone, the more you discover about yourself. You get to see what you are really made of, by identifying skills and talents that you’ve never tapped into. That is the beauty of new experiences: it introduces you to another, unexplored part of yourself.
“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” – Danny Kaye
These new skills and experiences may be just what you need to land your dream job or advance your entrepreneurial pursuits. As Pat Williams once said, “Figure out what you love to do as young as you can, and then organize your life around figuring out how to make a living doing it.”
Travel as much as you can to expand your mind and the world around you. When you are in your 20s, you have more flexibility in your career and it’s easier for you to make those heart-pounding decisions that can change your life.
Great words of wisdom!
Thanks Janel! There are so many career benefits for those who are willing to step outside of their environment.
Great read, Keep working blessings
Thanks for your feedback!
Love this article, Charlene! Great info and so true.
Thanks,
Sue
Thanks for reading, Sue! Traveling is a valuable personal development activity.
I think traveling adds color to a resume. It gives you an edge and let’s employers know that you are not afraid of trying new things and taking on risks. It also sends a message that you can related to a diverse group of people and share in conversation about culture and how business is conducted in other countries. Thank you for writing this! There sre professionals that are stuck in the rat race who need to hear this.
Great insights, Melody! Traveling is definitely a great resume booster that can spark interesting conversations during an interview or among colleagues. If people want to be relevant and relatable in a global economy, they need to start finding ways to build their cross-cultural competences.
Sherece, I understand all of your concerns. That was me 6 months ago. I was so TERRIFIED. I almost missed the best experience of my life because I was so worried about how I would manage my bills and be away from home for 6 months. You realize that EVERYTHING ALWAYS WORKS OUT FOR YOUR GOOD. If you approach life from that angle, you will gain access to the freedom that you always wanted. Once you take the leap, you will have the courage to do more things you were too afraid to do. All it takes is a single step. Everything you could ever want is on the other side of fear. Congratulations in advance! Can’t wait to hear about your new adventure!
Love the article! I made a goal to myself to travel somewhere AT LEAST once a year. I just got done traveling to a conference but I think it’s about time I travel to another country again. Traveling in your 20’s is the best time! There are no obligations (unless you are married and/or have kids). I remember being in Brazil and was starting to become quite fluent with the few phrases of Portuguese I knew. You can pick up a second language fairly quickly.
You are right! When you learn a new language, you are 10X more marketable in the job market and can create valuable connections with people all over the world. It’s awesome that you take advantage of every opportunity to travel. Once you start traveling, it’s hard to settle for an ordinary lifestyle. You usually want to see more, do more, and live every moment intentionally.
Thanks Tim! I’m so glad to hear that you will travel to the USA! The networking opportunities are endless. I meet new people everyday in my own city so I can only imagine how your traveling adventures will create tons of business inspiration and spark ideas for more life-changing articles. Thanks for your encouragement!
This is an amazing article and you are a incredible inspiration! Keep up the good work! 🙂
Thanks Michael! Traveling presents opportunities beyond what we can image. Have fun on your travels!
Yes absolutely!!! Traveling made me FEARLESS
Yes! You are a great example of how traveling has boosted your career. You were able to get into reputable MBA programs and connect with companies around the world!
I’m so glad to hear that you booked a trip to the USA! There is so much to do and so many people to learn from. My trip to Australia 4 years ago was a game-changer for me. I LOVED every moment of being in Sydney: ) As soon as I returned to the states, I started researching more ways to travel around the world. Once you start, you have a pulsating desire to see more, do more, and learn more. I can’t wait to hear about your experience, Tim! Thanks again for the encouragement.
Charlene I love this article. It’s as if you are reading my mind. I just booked my holiday to the USA and this advice reinforced my decision to take a break. I am looking forward to the global networking opportunities and the contacts that I gain. Keep doing what you’re doing Charlene!
I have considered traveling for quiet awhile now. Its always been a passion of mine. When traveling I hope to gain cultural knowlege. How does other cultures communicate, what are there views on social and political issues. Basically, learn how they operate to be able to better understand and communicate with them. Furthermore, traveling sounds great but It’s that fear of actually doing it. We live in such a past fast society and working long hours to get ahead tends to block our passion. My biggest fear is taking that next step. Not knowing what I will do next, how I will make it through. How will I manage these bills without working. We loss sight of our dreams and goals because we were told if we work hard it will pay off in the end. Sometimes that end never comes for people. I want to that the leap.