Real Journeys in Sustainable Travel
These aren't polished marketing stories. They're messy, real accounts from people who took the leap into careers that actually align with their values. Some struggled for months before things clicked. Others found their path faster than expected. What they all share is a commitment to building careers in an industry that's trying to do better.
From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Work
Jessamy Kirkwood spent eight years in traditional hospitality management. Good salary, predictable path, and a gnawing feeling that something was off. By 2024, she was planning her exit.
"I kept reading about overtourism destroying places I'd visited," she told us in February 2025. "Venice, Bali, Iceland — communities getting priced out of their own neighborhoods. I wanted out of being part of that system."
Jessamy joined our sustainable tourism program in June 2024. She didn't land a dream job immediately after finishing. It took four months of networking, a few disappointing interviews, and persistence. Now she works with a mid-sized operator redesigning their Mediterranean tours with local conservation input.
Typical Career Development Path
Foundation Building
Most participants spend this period unlearning conventional tourism practices and getting comfortable with sustainability frameworks. It's not glamorous — lots of reading, case studies, and realizing how complex the industry actually is.
Practical Application Phase
This is where people start applying concepts to real scenarios. Some connect with local operators through our network. Others begin researching specific regions or conservation challenges that interest them. Progress feels uneven here.
Portfolio Development
By this point, participants are developing tangible work samples — sustainable itinerary designs, community impact assessments, carbon footprint analyses. These become crucial for job applications and freelance pitches.
Job Search and Transition
Career transitions vary widely. Some find positions within three weeks. Others take six months while freelancing. The sustainable travel sector is growing, but it's still smaller than conventional tourism, so patience matters.
More Career Transitions
Tavian Ecklund
Sustainability CoordinatorFormer marketing manager who pivoted after a volunteer trip opened his eyes to waste management issues in popular destinations. Completed our program starting in March 2024. Now works with hotels implementing waste reduction strategies across the Caribbean. Still learning on the job, still makes mistakes, but feels like the work matters.
Briony Templeton
Community Liaison SpecialistSwitched from event planning to sustainable travel coordination in late 2024. Her background in stakeholder management translated better than expected. She focuses on connecting tour operators with indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest. The pay isn't as high as her previous role, but the cultural exchange aspect keeps her engaged.
Considering a Career Shift?
Our next sustainable travel practices program begins in August 2026. We're not promising overnight transformations or guaranteed placements. What we offer is solid training, industry connections, and support from people who've made similar transitions. The rest is up to you.