# Jobs requiring travel **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754 "2005-11-12T19:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/1 "2005-11-12T19:07:52Z")
I was reading at snopes about a scam where people are required to wire money ‘to help cover airfare’ so that ‘employers can know the applicant is serious’. This got me to thinking: What sort of job could I get that requires travelling? My ‘professional career’ has been in data processing and analysis, with a bit of light programming. Can’t see much call for that in a ‘traveling job’. I have no experience in outside sales, so that would be out. To heavy to be a flight attendant, and too old to start a career as a pilot. As a pilot, I know how to calculate weight & balance. Maybe some sort of job for a cargo hauler? Courier work sounds like fun. But I’ve heard the work is spotty, pay is low (I gather that many of the offerings basically just cover a portion of your airfare to a place you want to visit), and a lot of those jobs are probably scams anyway. Something that would let me travel, and also do something in filmmaking would be good. Location scout? Why not? Except I don’t have the connections. I’m a reasonably intelligent person. I generally get along well with people. I’m not married, nor have any reason to be in one place or another. I’m ‘footloose and fancy free’, as dad used to say. Of course I have the film project right now. And there’s the video business after that. And maybe another film or two. But with the future unknowable it would be nice to look for another interesting line of work. So what sort of things can I look into that will keep me traveling, and that will pay a living wage, and that I can ‘learn while I earn’? ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/2 "2005-11-12T19:30:57Z")
How about something in the oil business? Jobs in every country in the world. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/3 "2005-11-12T23:31:23Z")
Well, there’s always foreign correspondent or spy. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/4 "2005-11-13T02:39:40Z")
I’m not a spy. I’m just some guy. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/5 "2005-11-13T02:49:58Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > My ‘professional career’ has been in data processing and analysis, with a bit of light programming. Can’t see much call for that in a ‘traveling job’. Certain types of IT consulting require all kinds of travel. A lot of it is the hands on stuff like you describe too. That usually just requires a somewhat rare skill and finding soemwhat that needs it badly in the short-term. I wouldn’t really call it a “travel” job though. Most of the time, it is just getting an assignement somewhere else (could be Boise), living in a hotel, and then finding one somewhere else when you are done. Other than that, the carnivals and circuses are the only things that come to mind. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/6 "2005-11-13T03:02:02Z")
Science can require a lot of travel. If your field of investigation is some well-distributed phenomenon (e.g. coral reefs) you can have a wide variety of field sites that require travel, have a position at a university or other facility that is not located immediately close to your field sites (e.g. you’re in Washington, how about Friday Harbor?), then conferences and symposia also generally will mean a lot of travel. A big drawback is that you have to raise money for all this travel. … oh, wait, you said “learn while you earn” ☹ Sorry about that! ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/7 "2005-11-13T03:05:27Z")
I agree with Tapioca. Something in the oil industry where they fly you from where you live to the job site on a rotational basis. eg. 5 weeks on, 5 weeks off. Usually you can change your ticket to go where you like when you have time off. ---
**Author:** ![Neptunian\_Slug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@Neptunian\_Slug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neptunian_Slug)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/8 "2005-11-13T03:23:25Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I was reading at snopes about a scam where people are required to wire money ‘to help cover airfare’ so that ‘employers can know the applicant is serious’. This got me to thinking: What sort of job could I get that requires travelling? > > So what sort of things can I look into that will keep me traveling, and that will pay a living wage, and that I can ‘learn while I earn’? Get an accounting degree and become an financial auditor. You want travel, I guarantee they’ll give it to you. There a lot of demand for auditors. A lot of folks quit because the 12+ hour days and constant travel drive them bananas. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/9 "2005-11-13T03:30:02Z")
The oil thing gives me a vision of being a roughneck. Doesn’t really sound like my cuppa tea. Auditor? Hm. I could work with data, which I’m good at. And I _have_ been thinking of going back to school. Ah, if only I could find people who need Easytrieve Plus skills! (Or be a cameraman for _Survivor_.) ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/10 "2005-11-13T03:33:48Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > The oil thing gives me a vision of being a roughneck. Doesn’t really sound like my cuppa tea. Well, I am a computer geek. And there are the tree killers (accountants), HR drones, Production Engineers, Construction people, administration people, Safety people, and Drilling people. The latter who are a distinct minority. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/11 "2005-11-13T03:49:34Z")
How much travelling do you want to do? If the answer is -tons - then I can recommend the exciting career of freight forwarding. Although I did not do it personally, when I worked in tradeshows I worked with these busy-bee individuals and they got to go everywhere! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/12 "2005-11-13T03:54:29Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Well, I am a computer geek. And there are the tree killers (accountants), HR drones, Production Engineers, Construction people, administration people, Safety people, and Drilling people. The latter who are a distinct minority. Well that sounds better. If you have any data processing and analysis stuff, I might be interested. I’ve always wanted to go to the Middle East. (Although, maybe not right _now!_ **Poysyn** : What’s ‘freight forwarding’. Moving stuff and setting it up? I have some experience as a grip on (no-budget) film sets. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/13 "2005-11-13T04:29:53Z")
When drug companies do clinical research they need ‘clinical research associates’ to go to hospitals, clinics, wherever a study is being conducted, to set up the study, monitor progress, collect forms, check on the study drug, regulatory stuff, etc. Those people are on the road constantly. You’d need a lot of training to get into it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/14 "2005-11-13T04:41:53Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I’m not a spy. I’m just some guy. But that is what should make you try. What, are you shy? ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/15 "2005-11-13T10:02:51Z")
I do a lot of travelling on the weekends as a wedding minister. Each day is a different venue (sometimes more than one in a day) and while I typically stick within about 200km of Tokyo, I occasionally get sent to the far ends of the country. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/16 "2005-11-13T10:51:28Z")
Sales can require a lot of travel. I’m on the road 25% of the time probably. Consulting absolutely will be a lot of travel. Same with corporate trainer. Most jobs that require travel suck. It ain’t romantic, and in the internet age, you’ve got to do your day job while on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/17 "2005-11-13T14:52:56Z")
I came on to say auditor. Although it can be an odd combination of dead boring and very demanding. With a computer background, it makes you more desireable. And it pays pretty well. Since Sarbanes Oxley, demand has skyrocketed. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/18 "2005-11-13T19:28:47Z")
Yeah freight forwarder makes sure all of the booth stuff gets there, helps with set-up (sometimes). Generally just makes sure everything gets through customs, if there is anything needed, gets it before show. Usually they are really busy before and after the show, during they relax. I can pass on some names to you if you would like? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/19 "2005-11-13T20:31:28Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I can pass on some names to you if you would like? Why not? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-requiring-travel/330754/20 "2005-11-13T20:36:19Z")
A friend of mine interviewed for a job with a construction company that specializes in building laser eye surgery clinics. He turned it down because he would be all over the country most of the year.