Jobs That Require Travel: Where Your Internship Can Lead

14 Aug Jobs That Require Travel: Where Your Internship Can Lead

Have you ever dreamed of getting paid to travel the world? Maybe you’ve imagined yourself hopping between vibrant cities, ticking off bucket list destinations, all while growing a meaningful career. 

Contrary to popular belief, professions involving travel aren’t just for influencers and jet-setting CEOs. They’re far more accessible than you might think, and your first step toward a job that takes you places could very well be an internship.

Interning in a global hub like Tokyo, doing work that could land you at Paris Fashion Week, or joining a company where business trips are a norm? It’s not as out of reach as it sounds. 

Internships are like trial runs, giving you hands-on experience and a window into whether this kind of lifestyle suits you. In this post, we’ll explore how your first internship could be the key to unlocking adventure-fueled opportunities.

Do Any Travel-Oriented Jobs Start as Internships?

Many roles that involve travel have interns stepping into them first. Internships help you break into an industry while also setting the foundation for specialized career paths, including those requiring frequent travel.

Take a summer internship in Tokyo for example. It’s not only a chance to absorb global business practices but also to live and work in one of the world’s most exciting cities. 

Similarly, remote fashion internships might give you a stunning sneak peek into attending fashion weeks or collaborating with international teams. And then there are hospitality internships, which could lead to travel coordinator roles or even positions managing luxurious resort destinations.

When looking for that magical internship, it’s all about intent. Picking ones that stand out for their travel potential is key. Whether it’s a tech internship at a global firm or a marketing role with opportunities for events and site visits, think ahead about how much mobility the position can offer you.

How to Answer ‘Are You Willing to Travel?’ in Internship Interviews

Employers for travel-heavy roles love this question. They’re trying to gauge whether you’ll thrive in a job with suitcases and boarding passes as part of the deal. So, how do you nail it? A few bits of advice:

Keep it honest. If hopping on a plane sounds thrilling, say that! If you’d rather limit travel to a few times a year, share that too. It’s better to set expectations early.

Sell your flexibility. Maybe you’ve moved cities for college or taken solo trips before. Share what makes you adaptable and how new environments excite you.

Pepper in a little enthusiasm. It’s okay if your passport is gathering dust, but make sure you show that you’re ready for it to get stamped.

Even if you’ve hardly traveled before, there’s an upside to that. Frame it as a hunger for new experiences, like saying, “I’m excited to bring energy to the unknown and broaden my horizons, both personally and professionally.”

What Percentage of Travel is Expected in a Job?

Before you start imagining such roles, know that travel expectations can vary. A lot. Here are some benchmarks:

Occasional travel (10-20%) is typically for conferences, team-building events, or occasional client meetings. This might mean one trip every other month.

Moderate travel (30-50%) is for regional or national responsibilities, making you frequent flyer material pretty quickly. You could be in a different city almost every week.

Extensive travel (70%+). If you’re in global operations, consulting, or a travel-specific job, your suitcase is basically your co-worker.

The beauty of internships is they give you a preview of what any of these arrangements could feel like. Maybe a summer internship in Tokyo teaches you you’re perfectly okay with immersing yourself in an entirely new culture for a few months. Or, on the flip side, you learn that quick domestic trips feel more doable. Either way, internships are insights without the long-term commitment.

Interestingly, surveys suggest employees with high travel demands tend to have higher job satisfaction, likely because their roles are varied and dynamic. That’s something to think about!

What Types of Travel Are Typically Required?

Not all travel-heavy jobs are built the same. Sometimes it’s red-eye flights to Asia, and sometimes it’s a two-hour bus ride to the next city. Here are a few common travel types:

Domestic vs. International: Domestic professionals might manage travel within one country, while international roles could have you crossing multiple borders.

Short-term trips vs. Long-Term Assignments: Quick trips (think two to three days) are typical for conferences, while long-term assignments could mean temporary relocation.

Event-Based Travel: If you’ve scored a remote fashion internship, attending fashion weeks or trade expos might be part of the gig.

Client or Site Visits: Whether you’re visiting a venue for an event or conducting inspections, these trips span a range of industries, from hospitality to construction.

For example, picture starting with a summer internship in Tokyo. Later in life, event gigs could see you coordinating multi-day expos in Bangkok or team retreats in Bali. Internships with varied travel experiences are a seamless introduction to this lifestyle.

Can Internships Lead to Travel Team or Coordinator Roles?

Absolutely. Travel-centric internships are like building blocks for long-term opportunities as travel team members or coordinators. These roles handle everything from logistics to on-the-ground event execution.

Some success stories or hypotheticals we could imagine? A remote fashion internship that led you to plan a major runway show during Paris Fashion Week. Or a hospitality role where you graduate to curating luxury retreats with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Opportunities like travel coordinator positions in corporate settings or becoming a fashion buyer attending international markets all begin somewhere. And that somewhere might be your current internship. Excel there, build connections, and keep your eye on mobility. Just watch what doors will fly open.

How to Find Internships That Open Doors to Travel

Here’s the million-dollar question: how do you actually find internships with built-in adventure? Here’s the game plan:

Search Strategically: Use keywords like “overseas internship” or “remote fashion internships” on platforms like LinkedIn or niche job boards.

Check Out High-Mobility Industries:  Fashion, hospitality, consulting, and event planning are great places to start.

Tap Your Network: Alumni, former colleagues, or mentors might have unique leads.

Look to Specialized Providers: Organizations like ours at Absolute Internship focus on offering overseas internship experiences in the leading global cities. With opportunities in hubs like Tokyo and beyond, Absolute Internship is a launchpad for careers that don’t just move you professionally but literally move you around the globe.

Your Internship Is the First Step to a Jet-Setting Career

If you’ve read this far, then you know the truth: internships aren’t just resume fillers. They’re doors to exciting opportunities, including jobs that can take you across cities, countries, and continents. Your ability to pave the way starts now.

Be strategic. Pick internships aligning with your dreams of professional globetrotting. Whether you’re testing your travel stamina or building experience for high-mobility roles, internships are your chance to explore the lifestyle risk-free.

And maybe the most important takeaway? There’s a team at Absolute Internship ready to help you begin this thrilling career adventure. Click here to find an internship that’ll expand your horizons, one trip at a time.