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What jobs / careers require or involve travel? (merged 2014+)

What jobs / careers require or involve travel? (merged 2014+)

Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:01 pm
  #46  
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Originally Posted by carole_d
BTW, this is my first job as an engineer. I was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years before putting my degree to use.
Congratulations!

What kind of engineering is it? Big machines? Infrastructure?

Originally Posted by CDKing
Not sure when it opens up again but Diplomatic courier
Looks great! Unfortunately, "Applicants must be U.S. Citizens". I am gonna tell her to check if there is something similar back home or in the EU. Thanks!

Last edited by mmff; Jan 30, 2014 at 2:04 pm Reason: Add another comment and thank you note.
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Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:02 pm
  #47  
 
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Originally Posted by mmff
My knowledge about Finance is rather limited but I was under the impression that hiring had shifted focus from fundamental analysts to algorithmic traders (quants) in recent years.
No. Fundamental analysis is most certainly not out of favor.
Originally Posted by mmff
Can you please elaborate on the prospects for a young graduate regarding a career as a fundamental analyst or/and portfolio manager nowadays?
Investment management is not a field with an insatiable demand for bodies the way investment banking and consulting are. It's relatively much harder to break into, as entry-level jobs are not plentiful, and finding jobs even at the mid-career level is hard because most people who are employed in this business do not (willingly) leave until they retire. And it's almost impossible for someone right out of university to get a job in the field. If you make it a goal, and you don't have a relative in the business, do the following:

1. Learn accounting and finance to a CFA (chartered financial analyst) level
2. Do an MBA or MA-Finance at a high-quality university (not a requirement, but a huge help as far as gaining entry into the industry)
3. Gain useful knowledge or experience of the industry or geography you want to cover
4. Work your a$$ off to understand the business and be able to convince someone that you love picking stocks and might actually be good at it
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Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:10 pm
  #48  
 
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Originally Posted by mmff
Congratulations!
What kind of engineering is it? Big machines? Infrastructure?
I'm an electrical engineer and I oversee the construction at our sites to ensure that the local sub we've hired is working to our quality and safety specs. It's not very glamorous, but it's fun getting out of the cubicle for a couple of weeks.
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Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:13 pm
  #49  
 
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Originally Posted by travelmad478
Quants don't travel. They sit and look at computer screens.

Fundamental analysts and portfolio managers (such as yours truly) do travel.
This depends -- I certainly know quants who travel.
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Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:23 pm
  #50  
 
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Originally Posted by WillTravel
This depends -- I certainly know quants who travel.
Interesting. For what? To meet other quants at conferences and compare algorithms, maybe.
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Old Jan 30, 2014, 2:56 pm
  #51  
 
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Originally Posted by travelmad478
Interesting. For what? To meet other quants at conferences and compare algorithms, maybe.
They are quants who work for software companies and assist in the implementations at client sites. Quants typically participate heavily in presales efforts as well.
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Old Jan 31, 2014, 9:43 am
  #52  
 
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Engineering /technology.

Company is big enough to have ops worldwide but too small to open their own office everywhere. I got out there early on and opened up business in a lot of countries where we hadn't been before. Just because I was willing to, and had good experience and people skills.

Ideal situation for travel. Small specialist company looking to expand internationally.

Helps to have a passport from Western Europe / Australia /NZ /USA /Canada /Singapore /Japan.
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Old Jan 31, 2014, 10:19 am
  #53  
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Originally Posted by mandolino
Engineering /technology
Originally Posted by mandolino
Ideal situation for travel. Small specialist company looking to expand internationally.
Noted. I'd say this "company profile" should be a bit tricky to search for but it's definitely a good idea.

Originally Posted by mandolino
Helps to have a passport from Western Europe / Australia /NZ /USA /Canada /Singapore /Japan.
EU passport should be good, with the VWP for the US and similar programs for the other countries you mentioned.
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 7:11 pm
  #54  
 
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What kind of job/career do you have that allows you to fly?

So I kind of used the search button to find a thread related to this so forgive me if it's repetitive. I'm a recent college graduate looking into various industries and career options and I wanted to gain some insight from some Flyertalk members. Here are a few questions that I'd be intrigued to know about.

1.) What career field are you in that requires extensive air travel and hotel stays?

2.) Do you enjoy the work travel?

3.) Would you recommend working a career that requires travel or would you avoid it at all costs?

4.) Any other insight, info, advice, or thoughts?

Thanks!
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 7:22 pm
  #55  
 
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1)

Generally it is upper level customer facing jobs that get the most travel. This can be sales, it can be technical, it can be financial, it can be whatever. There are some jobs that require extensive travel within the corporation, but these are rare.

2) 3)

That is highly individual. Some like it, some do not. One common issue is that some see glamour in travel before they need to do so constantly, then see the pain after they start doing such every week. The battle of Preparation H vs. free miles.

4)

Do what works for you, but I would not make a career choice based on travel.
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 7:27 pm
  #56  
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As this question is not specific to United or Mileage Plus, please follow it in Travel Buzz.

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Old Jul 2, 2014, 7:29 pm
  #57  
 
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1) Advanced technical support for electronics company. That means I can go anywhere in the US or Canada.

2) Yes

3) I do, if you aren't married. Definitely not if you have kids. I'm engaged so now I'm starting to look to stay local more.

4) It is worth trying while young. You'll quickly find out if it is for you. I love having low living expenses (all meals comped during the week, smaller electric bill, etc). If you can't deal with delays and issues, you won't like it. I'm writing this after my flight was diverted so I am lucky to get home at midnight. Just have to take it in stride.
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 7:52 pm
  #58  
 
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1. Sales

2. I'd say that you can find ways to make it enjoyable. In my job, I often get to my hotel in the evening, have my meeting the next day, and hustle back to the airport immediately after. But if you have to travel for work, find ways to make it feel like home. Plan ahead and make reservations at a cool restaurant. Go for a walk or run from your hotel. Whatever you would normally do, otherwise it can become really tedious.

3. I would neither recommend it or avoid it. If you like the work, you won't mind the travel. If you don't like the work, you will despise the travel.

4. A lot of people enter the workforce thinking travel is glamorous. It's not. It's difficult and it means a lot of time away from friends and family. It's not all champagne in first class, Ritz-Carlton hotels, and fancy steak dinners with expensive wine. Sometimes you stumble into those things, but most of us spend a large part of our lives eating at McDonald's on the run, staying at Marriott Courtyards, and sitting in a cramped coach seat after a 3-hour delay. The benefits we get from being frequent travelers is a small (but real) consolation for all of this.

Bottom line: Don't make a job decision because you think it will be fun to travel.
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 8:12 pm
  #59  
 
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What kind of job/career do you have that allows you to fly?

1. Entertainment industry.
2. Yes - I travel all over the world.
3. Yes - if you don't like traveling then it's not for you.
4. It's a lifestyle choice. If you want a house and a family, a traveling lifestyle will not work. My industry and company is based on travel and everyone knows everyone on different shows and in different companies/countries.
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Old Jul 2, 2014, 8:15 pm
  #60  
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Originally Posted by zeus2120

1.) What career field are you in that requires extensive air travel and hotel stays?

Communications consulting.

2.) Do you enjoy the work travel?

Only to the extent the miles, loyalty rewards, etc. create opportunities for my family.

3.) Would you recommend working a career that requires travel or would you avoid it at all costs?

I've been traveling for work now for 30 years and even the "elite" experience has become abysmal, particularly on the three remaining US network carriers. I would have stopped traveling long ago if I didn't have to.

4.) Any other insight, info, advice, or thoughts?

For God's sake don't select a line of work because you think you'll get to spend a lot of time in airports. Every once in a great while I get to go somewhere interesting (typically a new overseas destination), but 95+% of work trips are grueling and unpleasant, regardless of what boarding group you're in.
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