Jobs to Runaway With

Ever thought of starting over somewhere far, far away?  Like waitressing in a Parisian cafe overlooking the Seine?  I'm often tempted by the idea of packing a few bags and heading to some uncharted territory and beginning my life and career anew there. 
Alas, I've resigned myself to the idea that Long Island, New York is home but that doesn't mean that you can't start your "Phoenix Story" somewhere new.  There are plenty of jobs out there where relocation and extensive travel are just par for the course.  I've highlighted just a few below.  Be sure to send a postcard!  Bon Voyage!

1) Union Organizing - "Union organizers assist workers in gaining union representation at their worksite," according to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations' (AFL-CIO) website.  My education about union organization came from the Sally Field movie, "Norma Rae" about a young, single mother who find her voice as shes helping to organize a union at the factory she works at.  The image of picket lines and posters with messages like, "No Contract = No Work" enter my mind when I think of what an organizer does. 
If you believe in the cause, organizing will give you great pleasure even with the $35,000 to $45,000 annual pay.  Travel is perhaps the biggest appeal of the job for our "Phoenixs", as "organizers can expect to travel extensively and may be away from their home/family for weeks at a time and should expect to relocate, at least temporarily," according to the AFL-CIO."
Learn how to become an organizer through the AFL-CIO's Organizing Institute (OI) at www.aflcio.org.

2) TEFL Abroad - Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has become a bright idea for many college studies looking to prolong their travels abroad.  A TEFL certificate is not required for teaching english but it does help with job placement.  Also, TEFL is very different than the Spanish or French lessons we had in our American public schools - TEFL students do not speak their native language in class as EVERYTHING is done in English. 
TEFL can be done in almost any country in the world.  I've personally known people who have taught in South Korea, Spain, France, Italy, Uganda and Thailand.  Money, accomodations and job rates depend on the place you are going to.
If this suggestion sparks your fancy visit www.teflcourse.net or www.teflcertificatecourses.com or www.experienceteachingabroad.com to get information on how to get a TEFL certificate and get a job abroad. 
If you aren't feeling a prolonged stay, check out www.vaughantown.com for an amazing (yet short) experience teaching english abroad.  VaughanTown is one of largest english language teaching schools in Spain.  Each semester is culminated with a trip outside of Madrid where students must show off their english language skills with a real english speaker - that's where you come in.  You must cover your own flight over to Spain but everything after that is paid for by VaughanTown in exchange for your english language expertise by way of simple chit chat. 

3) Join the United States Foreign Service
A Foreign Service Officer (FSO) works for the US government to "promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad," according to the US Department of State's website. 
"The work you’ll do will have an impact on the world. You will be asked to serve at one of any of the more than 265 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia. Some of these posts are in difficult and even dangerous environments, but working in them affords great challenges and rewards," according to the US Deparment of States website. 
The Foreign Service is not exactly easy to get in to - but it can be done.  First comes a lengthy online application then if you make it through the application you are asked to take an exam.  If you pass the exam you are interviewed and further vetted until you are finally asked to staff a post somewhere in the world.  Altogether the process could take up to a year.  Studying for the exam is often an applicants hardest mission. 
Bill Fitzgerald, a 24-year FSO vet created a website to help test takers at www.foreignserviceexam.org.  There are even meetup and facebook groups dedicated to helping members pass the FSO exam.