What did you do on your last vacation? Get sunburn? Overeat? Spend too much money?
Sure, you might have had fun, but it probably didn't change your life. Even if you trek through the Himalayas or kayak down the Amazon, when vacation is over, it's back to the same old job and the same old routines.
If you'd really like to change your life, consider a vacation that's not just a getaway. Some vacations can actually give you the tools and the confidence you need to leave that same old, same old behind.
Vocation vacations
Brian Kurth was dissatisfied with his career in the corporate world. "Wouldn't it be great," he thought "if there was some way to try out a new career without having to risk my current job?" The upshot was Vocation Vacations, a venture he started three years ago as a hobby that is now helping hundreds of people test-drive new careers, ranging from alpaca farmer to wedding planner.
Unlike fantasy camps where accountants strap on bass guitars and become rock stars for a week or insurance salesmen spend a day shooting hoops with NBA players, Vocation Vacations pairs participants with real-life mentors for up to three days of total immersion in the field. According to Kurth, plenty of people over 50 are still deciding what they want to be when they grow up. The good news is that there is time to start a whole new career and live the kind of life that makes you look forward to everyday.
"People are living longer and living better," says Kurth. "Someone who embarks on a new venture at age 60 may well have 20 or more productive years ahead. Why not pursue your dream?"
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief...
That's exactly what Connie Madison, a 57-year-old former nurse, decided after attending a Vocation Vacation. "I always loved animals, so my husband signed me up for a Vocation Vacation with a horse trainer," she explains. When she arrived for her three-day stint with Jerry Thompson at his Kiger mustang ranch in Minnesota, "I was terrified," she confesses. "I had no experience with horses. But Jerry put a halter in my hands and said you can do this. And I did."
A year-and-a-half after her Vocation Vacation, Connie and her husband left the city, bought land in northern Minnesota, and purchased a couple of horses. Now, at their ranch, NorthStar Kigers, two colts will be born this spring. "I never would have considered owning even one horse without Vocation Vacations," says Connie. "Somehow, Jerry made it seem very doable."
Michael Fishbein, 54, found Vocation Vacations when he had a self-described corporate meltdown. "In my 20s, I went to broadcast school and worked as a radio announcer. I loved it but needed a 'real job,'" he explains. Now, after almost 30 years behind a desk, he's ready to return to radio. "When I heard about Vocation Vacations, I thought that this would be a chance to get back to doing something that I love. I don't want to wait for permission. I want to do it now while I still have the energy and drive," he says.
Fishbein flew from Minnesota to Sarasota, Florida to work with Kim Crow, an actress and voice-over artist. "I spent two whole days with Kim. It wasn't cheap, but she told me to look at it as grad school -- and it was worth every penny," he claims. "Kim has become not just a mentor but also a dear friend," he says of Crow, who helped him produce three professionally recorded spots to try to land a job in broadcasting.
When Kurth realized how serious his clients were about making a permanent change in their lives, he added a career counseling component to the business. " Will Wiebe, 59, is one of a network of twelve professional career counselors who works with Vocation Vacations. "Career counseling is strictly optional," he explains. "If Vocation Vacationers choose, they are assigned a coach that has expertise in the field that they are interested in -- whether it's arts administration or animal training."
Of course, not everyone who takes a Vocation Vacation is looking for a new career.
Some, like retired teacher and coach Jim Franklin, 71, simply want to learn more about something they love. "I've always enjoyed good beer," says Jim. "I don't want to brew my own; I just want to be an educated consumer." For his 70th birthday, his wife gave him a one-day Vocation Vacation at Full Sail microbrewery. "I had the time of my life," Jim raved. "I learned so much -- from testing the beer to tasting it. Everyone at the brewery was just wonderful -- it was a great experience and a great birthday."
Sue Anderson, an IT professional from Illinois, signed up for the Private Investigator Vocation Vacation. "I went to Boise Idaho and worked with Hanady Investigations. It's a firm owned by two women. We went on stake outs and drivebys, used hidden cameras, and even dug through people's garbage. It was great. They said that if I lived in Idaho, they'd hire me. Instead, I'm going to try an Auctioneer Vocation Vacation this summer."
...Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
Kurth is not the only entrepreneur catering to those who dream of a dramatic career turnabout. Whereas many fantasy camps are just for fun, some also provide a leg up on professional pursuits. For example, renowned broadcasters Bruce Beck and Ian Eagle run a summer camp for teens and adults that covers the basics of sports broadcasting. Bob Kesling at the University of Tennessee also runs a broadcasting camp. "It's a real draw for people who have to call the plays for their local high school team, are on their college radio station, or just want to pursue a career as a sportscaster." says Kesling.
For aspiring chefs, the International Kitchen offers cooking vacations all over the globe that let you navigate the marketplaces, cook with local chefs, and, best of all, eat. Dozens of other travel programs let you cook pollo de mole in Playa de Carman or whip up pad thai in Phuket. Cooking vacations in the US -- from Napa Valley to the New School in New York -- teach culinary skills from soup to nuts. The world-famous Le Cordon Bleu, with branches all over the world, offers short courses ranging from one day to two weeks. Future pastry chefs can check out the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, where a five-day cake decorating course, covers butter cream and beyond. Would-be sommeliers can indulge in vineyard vacations that enhance appreciation and enjoyment of wine and may give you the confidence to finally open up that little wine and cheese shop.
For risk takers, there's the World Poker Tour Boot Camp and Texas Hold -'em Poker Camp run by high stakes gamblers Howard Lederer and Annie Duke. At these getaways, you'll play with the pros and learn when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. If that's still too tame, at The Sankey Rodeo School you can learn to ride a bucking bronco, bullfight, and improve the roping and wrasslin' skills you need to become a professional rodeo cowboy.
Whether you want to simply try something new or transition to a completely different way of life, there are plenty of opportunities to try on a new career. And who knows? It might be a perfect fit.
You can do it
If you are thinking about a Vocation Vacation or another dream career immersion experience, here are a few tips.
- If you are unsure of what to pursue, think about what hobbies you enjoy, what parts of your current job you like best, or what you wanted to be when you were a kid.
- Be open to trying something new.
- Know what you are getting into. Research the company sponsoring the trip, ask for references, and talk to others who have gone.
- Decide what you want to get out of your experience and set goals. Do you just want to learn something new? Do you want to gain a new skill? Do you want to come away with a portfolio piece, demo tape, or network of connections in the business? Decide ahead of time so that you use your time well and accomplish what you want to.
Links
Vocation Vacations
Sankey Rodeo School