The Reality of Travelling for Work
This past summer I had the awesome opportunity of working for the National Sports Organization of golf, Golf Canada, as their Digital Content Intern.
Essentially, I managed all their social media pages and covered their Amateur Championships. I attended six of the eight championships, which are held all over the country.
In a short 4 months I had been on 12 flights, visited 5 different provinces, was the onsite media contact for 7 different tournaments, and covered via social media all 14 tournaments Golf Canada hosted this season, but most importantly I learned how to live out of a suitcase.
Let's face it, everyone wants to travel for work. Everyone wants to post an Instagram story of their passport as they sit and wait for their flight or post a "office views" snapchat once they reach their destination (I obviously was guilty for this as well), but no one seems to talk about the amount of work you put in while you're on the road.
When I told people I travelled for work everyone was always like "Omg that's so awesome!" or "Wow you're so lucky to be doing that as an Intern" and I always agreed with them but always followed up with: "but I am so exhausted".
Travelling for work doesn't mean you work 9-5 then your day is over and off to do whatever you want. You're travelling for work to well, work. There's not much spare time to explore the city and if there is you're most likely gonna head back to your hotel to sleep because you've been working 12 hour days.
You're always exhausted because you haven't slept in your bed in three weeks, you're entire life fits in a carry on suitcase, you live in one MAYBE two pairs of shoes, you eat out every night (the weight gain is real my friends), and you spend a lot of time away from your loved ones.
Don't get me wrong, travelling was awesome and I loved my job, but it's not as fabulous as everyone makes it out to be. I feel like no one really talks about what it's really like travelling for work, they all make it sound like the best thing ever. But some people may not be cut out for it. It is a lot of time away from home and requires a lot of work and a strong relationship with your co-workers so you don't murder them half way through the trip.
However, I do have to say this, my job required a lot of travel in a short amount of time, which when you're working full time for a company may not be the case, it may only be a few weeks a year every ever months. If that's the case then go for it that would be awesome! But remember you're going there to work, not to visit.
Always made me laugh when people asked me "Oh how was Vancouver/Victoria/New Brunswick" and my response was always "Um, the golf course was really nice!" I never had the chance to experience the different cities because of all the work.
Moral of the story, travelling for work just means working away from the office, not spa retreats and exploring. Travelling was awesome because of the amazing people I got to meet and work with. I had the opportunity to connect myself with people all across Canada, something I probably wouldn't have had to opportunity to do.
As much work, late nights and eating out travelling for work is, in the end, it is pretty cool. It is an awesome experience when you're young and gives you a taste of the different places you visit which may, or may not, make you want to visit them again.
All and all this summer was amazing and tiring but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I had an unbelievable time and gained more experience than I could have imagined. With the amount of responsibility and trust I was given I wasn't even considered an intern, which is more than I know some people can say about their summer internship. I am so excited to continue establishing myself in the industry and creating a career in an industry I love.