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Work and Travel?

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I have been working at my family business(insurance) now for about 3 years. My father recently told me that if I wanted I could take over the business when he retires. I was very excited about this. Recently Ive been thinking that if I do take over the business I will be stuck. I wont be able to live in another state or country or do anything else other than what Im doing now. This isnt what I want. I want to be able to live in GA and London and Boston. Do a bunch of different jobs and live in different places. Has anyone done that or is anyone doing that right now. Any tips on a future gypsie? How is your life this way? Is it everything you thought it would be? Age please also.

Travel Tips

You've got a lot of themes and questions here. Let me see if I can help you sort this out.

1. You can take over the family business when your Dad retires. You might look at this in terms of 'what is the family business worth'? Is the business something you can sell? When you take it over, will you add to its value or will it struggle to maintain its value with your Dad gone?

A business is something you own. If it is strong enough, you can hire a manager to run it, while you receive the profits as the owner of the business. If you can build up its value, you can sell it. And the decision of 'do I hire someone, sell the business, or keep it operating' is a choice you can make at any time in your life - not just today, or a year from now.

2. Do you like the insurance business? You seemed excited about the business, but you are unsatisfied with where you currently live. If you stay and learn the business, you are likely to be able to get experience that will allow you to get a position in an insurance agency (if not manage or own an insurance agency) in wherever it is you would like to live. At 24, it is likely that you don't have that much job experience. If you are not turned off by the insurance business, you might do well to get more experience.

3. You mention 'doing a bunch of jobs'. The problem with this is that the quality (and pay level) of whatever job you get is dependent on experience. If you have experience in the insurance industry, and you want to get into the investment industry, be prepared to start as an admin assistant. If you change to another industry, you may have to start below your experience (and accustomed compensation).

Earning higher compensation is a little bit of a 'trap' when it comes to changing jobs. If you are used to making $75000 per year in insurance, you will not be happy making $35000 per year in the entry level job of some other career.

4. I am someone who enjoys travel and seeing the world. It is great to experience diverse places, cultures and people. This is something that you can do over your whole life. Do not think you need to see the world by age 30. If you enjoy travel, consider that a lifelong pursuit that you will enjoy as long as you are physically able - well into your 60s and even your 70s. There's a lot of time. You don't need to live in a new place (or get a new job) every couple of years to have this experience.

5. I've seen many young people who travel through Europe on a low budget, buying the Eurail pass and staying in hostels. If you do this, it is a great way to put yourself into the culture and meet a lot of people. For me, I prefer hotels and a little bit more robust budget....but this is a choice you can make as you earn more money. If you want to do it now, you may have a smaller budget available than if you decide you will do this when you are 30.

Right now, I am 42. I first visited Asia in my 20s and Europe in my 30s. I look forward to visiting South America sometime in my 40s. I went to Pamplona and ran with the bulls when I was 35. I enjoy the adventure, discovery and cultural learning of travel, and expect that I will have this as long as I am physically able. I have a successful career, but that is what I do to earn money - I don't necessarily travel for enjoyment (if you get a job that involves business travel, you will soon find that it doesn't hold the same allure as personal travel).

Best of luck to you.
Others

My heritage is gypsy. You cannot think you will be one just by traveling a lot.
Okay, I totally understand your situation. I was in a similar situation recently.

I'm 24 and graduated college two years ago. I grew up in the Midwest and after college my family expected me to help take over the family business (as my parents are getting close to retirement age). It was a great opportunity, but it would definitely tie me down. I, like you, wanted to travel and be able to live anywhere I want without the huge responsibility of taking over a business at a young age.

After I thought about it, I decided it wasn't the best thing for me to do. I ended up moving out to NYC and finding my own path in life, opposed to living the pre-set path that would have happened had I taken over their business. I now have a great job, in a field I love. I live in NYC now and with my job, I've been able to travel the world (I'm on my way to Buenos Aires on Saturday).

I've always considered myself to be a "free-spirit." I like knowing that I can just pick up my belongings and try out a new city whenever I feel like it. For me, taking over my family business would have crushed that "free-spirit" side of me and I would have always wondered "what if?"
go get it