Showerthought: My Costa Rica volunteer gig pointed me to a better job

I spent two weeks helping with sea turtle conservation on a beach in Costa Rica! The experience showed me I really enjoy hands-on environmental work, something I never tried in my old office job. Now I'm applying for roles with parks and wildlife groups. Has travel ever shifted your career goals like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan_ross2d ago

A friend sent me an article last year about people who found their calling through volunteer travel. One story was about a guy who built school benches in Guatemala and now runs a small carpentry shop. It really stuck with me. It seems like getting your hands dirty somewhere new can show you what you actually like doing. What kind of wildlife jobs are you looking at now?

hannah_craig2d ago

Huh, that's pretty solid. So when you were up to your knees in sand at 3 AM, was there one specific, kinda awful moment where it clicked? Like, did you get smacked in the face by a wave while holding a turtle and just think, 'yeah, this beats my old desk'?

the_tessa2d ago

Actually, a podcast I heard talked about how volunteer trips can totally change your career path.

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