To Work?... or To Travel??? Your Help Needed!
 

I have a very big decision to make and would love to have some fellow FT peeps opinions and input.

I am 22, and I have been working for the past year as a marketing graduate for one of the world’s largest fast moving consumer goods companies here in Melbourne, Australia. My graduate contract was due to run out at the end of the year, at which time I was planning on travelling the world for a period of one year. After all, travel is a passion of mine, and I am dying to travel the world in one big bang!

I have been planning the “big” trip for the past 5 months and have researched everything from accommodation and activities to vaccinations and visas. All that was left to do was purchase the oneworld explorer ticket (which I haven’t).

Last week my work offered me an extension of my graduate program contract until the end of 2010. I’m both thrilled and upset at the same time, because I have really been anticipating going overseas for a year, but at the same time I am so passionate about having a long-term career with this company and it obviously complimentary of my work ethic. My issue is, if I accept this extension, it pretty much means that the company would like to invest in me, however also, I may never get the opportunity to take one year off to go travelling as I would progress further and further into my career and the further you progress, the harder it is to just stop.

The other factor is age. By the time I finish the extended contract, and if, hopefully I decided to travel, I would be 23. Then travel the world for a year and a bit.... I would come back to the workforce at age 24 or 25 with only 2.5 years worth of graduate experience. What sounds better that, or coming back at age 23 or 24 with only 1.5 year worth of marketing experience?

Also, part of the reason I want to travel, is I really want to live overseas... at least once! However I don’t know whether I want to live in New York, London, Los Angeles, Singapore, Amsterdam, wherever, and I think that that younger I leave for overseas, the better chance I have of feeling the enchantment of the world and gauging whether I feel it would be a city for me to live in.

What does everyone think? Would you go? Or would you stay? And why? Any tips or hints you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Personally, in the current economy, I would take the job in a heartbeat.... you can always travel.

It sounds like you truly enjoy this employer and it sounds like a great opportunity... and they obviously are very positive about you....

You can always find ways to incorporate travel in your future... or possibly even take a sabbatical to travel. Unless you are independently wealthy, it also helps to have money when you travel.... so the job helps with that.

Of course, I am more practical than many... so always thinking of saving for the future... so the choice would not be a choice for me... the job would be so obvious... :)

If you really believe this is the only job offer you will ever get for the rest of your life, then you should accept the extension, hope it turns into a full-time position, and put those silly travel dreams out of your mind.

If you think this company, and perhaps other companies, will still want you and your skills after a year, then travel and enjoy.

What I have discovered in my work life is that every job I "lost" opened up an opportunity to an even better option. Talk to your current company and tell them what you want to do - there's no point in keeping it a secret. Tell them you have been working and studying flat-out your entire life, and want and need a break. Let's see how they respond.

And please try not to worry about your age. Starting your career at 23, 24, or 25 - it really doesn't matter. To a 40-year old, they all look the same! No one's going to question you about it.

Your talents and skills are transferable to many different employers in many industries in all parts of the world. You are correct, there will never be a better time in your life to travel the world. You may have more money later in your life, but you probably will never have more freedom. As you progress in life in you get more and more tied down, either by work or by relationships, so it is harder to find the time to travel for extended periods, let alone pick up your life and move to another country. So I say do it now.

In the end, I think it comes down to this - When you are on your death bed, are you going to regret not having worked more when you were younger? Or would you regret not having seen more of the world?

if you have the money, do the travel....many people do.....i didn't....good luck...

I completely agree. Travel, as long as you can afford it. My company would definitely prefer a 25 year old with experience and an open mind to a recent college grad. You bring so much more to the table as an employee that way.

Once you've settled down, bought a home or are married/ involved with someone, it is so much harder to make the break and travel for the length of time you anticipate. Better to do it early.

I'm not sure how your current employer will feel about this, but is it possible that you negotiate a return to your position at the end of your travels? Or perhaps cut your travel time down to 6 months? Good luck either way.

TRAVEL
 

No question, TRAVEL! You'll be stuck for years in a job, marriage, kids, etc. Travel now while you can. You won't regret travelling but you might regret taking that job.

I won't go as far as to say you will REGRET not traveling...

Life is all about choices. If you choose not to take the trip, and instead stay with the job, that still opens up a set of fun and exciting experiences for you. You'll have money in your pocket, be able to date lots of women, take them on trips, get yourself some material things you might desire, go house-hunting... These are all fun, interesting things to do, so even if you don't decide to take the trip, that doesn't mean you made a bad decision.

You really have to decide what YOU want to do. Some people would rather get on with "real life" and go into the workforce, and get started with the things I mentioned above. Others want the sense of freedom that comes along with not being tied down, and want to delay the onset of "real life" for a little while longer.

Be grateful you have a choice. Neither choice is right or wrong.

Let's say that, 1 year from now, your company is swallowed up in some questionable leveraged takeover and they close your office down and everyone is laid off/made redundant.

When your are next out there job hunting, and and the 45 year old interviewer is asking you to describe what you have done since you graduated. Do you think you are going to make a better impression to say that you have gotten some 2.5 years experience compared to some other candidates 1.5 years experience, but not having anything else, or to say that you have only 1.5 years experience in that field, but you have a years experience learning about other countries, learning to travel, interacting with different cultures, making world wide friends, learning how to communicate with people who don't even speak your language, and seeing how things run in very different types of political structures? 1 year out of 2.5 quite honestly isn't enough to really make a dent - at my place I don't consider someone even fully adapted to the work environment unless they have been there at least one year.

Now, I can understand if you are concerned about the cost of such an adventure. But from the sounds of it you already have things planned out. I would talk with your supervisor. If they are a real global company looking for someone to market to the global economy, then I think they stand as much to gain out of this as you do. Take the trip. You are simply not going to get that kind of experience anywhere else.

What's to say your company wouldn't offer you another extension at the end of next year too? Then you'd still be in the same boat as now. In any case, I say go for it. Travel and live your dream. You're young and will be able to get another job when you're done. Also, it's a possibility you might meet someone in your travels who might open other doors for you.

Bobette

Thank you all so much for your responses!! I really appreciate them. It is always helpful to get some feedback and life advice from FT'ers.

wharvey:
That is what my Dad said!

This is my fear - if my company does the same thing in one year's time and. I'm so passionate about a career, I might not know what to do if they offer an extension again. What is worse rejecting an extension of a graduate program. Or in a year's time, rejecting an Associate Brand Manager position? Also, what is a better age to travel at..... 22 or 23. I know it's only a years difference, but I have definetely seen how mature I have gotten from 21 and 22. As silly as this sounds, I do not want to lose my juvenile innocense while going travelling. I think you look at the world at a different angle when you are younger.

Also, as I am so passionate about having a career. It might be hard to say No. I do not want to be one of those individuals who delays their personal feats with the thought that I might get around to them.... however discover that they missed out on them!

Despite my company being a pleasant company to work for. I am not naive, I am always replaceable and should I leave now..... I will always be regarding as the man who rejected the opportunity to progress.

Marketing is a competitive industry..... I'm worried I may lose a BIG foot in the door.

Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhhh. Such a MASSIVE and DIFFICULY decision to make!!!!

I think you have your answer right there. I started working full time my first semester in college, but was very fortunate to work for two different police departments with liberal time off policies and got quite a bit of travel in (like 12 weeks a year).

Don't you get pretty liberal vacation allowance in Australia, too, unlike here in the U.S. where you typically start with 2 weeks? Just gives you something to plan ahead for. Why not plan on joining us at OzFest in Adelaide in May if you elect to continue working? I'll be in Melbourne for a few days after that.

Years ago, when I was teaching in a university foreign language department, a few of the professors organized a "career day" in which graduates came back and told how they were using foreign languages in their current jobs.

One young woman was not actually using her degree in French, but after graduating, she had gone to France, found a job on her own, and worked for two years.

Upon returning to the States, she applied for a management trainee's job with a major department store. As she described it, she was in a waiting room full of business graduates who had designed and sewn their own clothes, so she was resigned to not getting the job.

As it turned out, the interviewer was fascinated by her account of her time in France and told her that she obviously was a self-starter, resourceful, and adaptable. She got the job.

As someone who is young, I would tell you to take the job, especially in this economy... For now.

Tell whoever in your company what you are thinking (if you trust them) and then agree to the extension. Work hard, get the other year of work experience (save some more money in the process) and at the end of 2010, travel. If you really like the company, you can try to set it up in that you will return (ie. have a job waiting for you). This will be easier with another year of experience under your belt and you'll be a known commodity to your boss, team and the Firm.

Frankly, I don't think 1 more year of work experience will result in that much "investment" from the company on their part, but I could be wrong. I also don't think 1 more year will go too far into "locking you into this company and career" to be honest. BUt you never know.

2 years of work experience is more helpful and looks much better than one. Plus you'll probably have more money saved up which means you can travel for longer and/or go to more places.

FYI - I went to study abroad for a few years and then joined the workforce. Don't regret it for a minute. You're young (so am I), so nothing to worry about. Feel free to PM and I can get into specifics.

Is that good or bad? :D

I know that I would have loved to have taken a year off from college before I started work... but I wanted that "foot" in the door quickly.

I actually graduated on a Saturday, moved on Sunday, and started work on a different city that Monday.

Sounds like you have some great options.... and are in a great position to have choices.... that is what is important.