With a desire to grow, develop my career and travel, I applied for a professional development program with Venture with Impact in Chiang Mai, Thailand and made a step that retrospectively seems to be the brightest move I’ve recently done. I’ve had a chance to escape my well-known surroundings and become part of a great international community of travellers, digital nomads, location-independent professionals as well as Thai and Burmese inspirational leaders. I became a richer person bringing back home many emotions and learnings. These are the most remarkable ones.
The infographic details the pre-program, during-program, and post-program, objectives for an international volunteering project, along with the questions one should ask oneself while trying to make an ethical and sustainable impact.
“I did a lot of soul searching whilst in Thailand – the place just lends itself to inner-tuition – and I really started to think about what the next steps are for me, personally.”
Do you dream of owning your own business? Do you aspire to have the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere in the world? Do you wish to combine your business aspirations with your love of travel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out the tips in this infographic for making your dream of entrepreneurship abroad a reality.
Earlier this month, Venture with Impact attended the Sustainable Brands Conference in Vancouver, Canada. This annual gathering is a meet-up of leaders from purpose-driven brands who strive for innovation in their social and environmental impact.
We are happy to partner with Common Impact, organization that connects corporate volunteers to non-profits so that together they can solve complex community challenges. With nearly 20 years of experience in developing skills-based volunteer programs, Common Impact knows a thing or two about how to best use volunteerism for professional development and social good. Common Impact has shared with us two useful tools to unlock and maximize your skill-based volunteering experience:
Now companies can team up with Venture with Impact to create customized programs for employee engagement and retention.
New ideas are necessary to attract and retain good talent. Socially responsible employee benefit programs and team retreats can be an attractive solution to this problem, which any company can implement. The keyword is: Skills-based Volunteering.
Finding top talent is challenging. Many business leaders are struggling to attract and retain talented employees. Motivating millennial workforces is another obstacle leaders continue to encounter. What’s the solution? Incentive travel rewards employees for meeting performance objectives or recognizes them for years of company loyalty. Businesses who offer travel experiences as a new work-perk are being rewarded with teams that are highly engaged and more satisfied.
Chiang Mai is well established as a hub for digital nomads–and rightfully so. What’s not to love about Chiang Mai? The city offers visitors the chance to enjoy the incredible natural scenery, drool-worthy local cuisine, and interact with some of the kindest people on earth. All of this and more continues to draw travelers and nomads alike to Thailand’s cultural center. The increase of foreigners basing themselves in the northern Thai city for a few months has contributed to the growth of the area, but also to gentrification. Conscious remote workers must bear in mind what they can do to support their adopted community. Responsible travel writer Lola Mendez of Miss Filatelista shares 5 ways to be a responsible digital nomad in Chiang Mai.
This is the first in a series of posts from Andrea, one of our brand ambassadors who will be sharing her insights, tips, and tricks from living abroad in Medellín. We hope these posts help you get to know one of our program sites, and inspire you take the leap to travel or live abroad. If you are joining our program in July, then read on, and get ready to Venture with us!
Our perceptions don’t often live in reality. Sometimes they do. I had a lot of perceptions about Medellin before I traveled there, admittedly, some from watching Netflix shows. When I arrived in Medellin, Ann, from Venture with Impact, met me with a warm smile and showed me a typical Colombian hangout in my new neighborhood….
Traveling is prime reading time. Sitting at a café alternating between people watching and reading is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon while on vacation. It’s also one of the times I can focus and think bigger picture about my own life and career. Here are a few to inspire you on the next leg of your journey!
A new year is just beginning, and we’re getting ready to travel! As a small social enterprise, we are always trying to support small businesses, B Corps, and companies dedicated to positive social and environmental impact. Here’s what you’ll find on our packing wish list this year!
We are excited to announce a collaboration with Pivot Journeys, an organization that offers experiences for career growth and development. Both Venture with Impact and Pivot Journeys strongly believe that international travel can have a positive impact on your career, whether you are negotiating your role or trying to figure out what comes next. With that in mind, we are sharing an inspiring post by Pivot Journeys, "How Travel Fuels your Career". So pack your laptop to work and travel inspired by the world around you. Your career will thank you!
Many people shy away from the idea of transitioning to nomadic work because they think that their area of expertise wouldn’t be compatible with remote work positions. Think again! In this day and age you can find pretty much any type of job in any corner of the globe. The world of remote work is becoming increasingly popular and the demand for talented and travel-loving professionals is ever growing. Knowing what in-demand fields to explore and where to look is key.
Lisbon, Portugal is fast becoming a hotspot for digital nomads and even corporate escapists. While not as famous on the tourist route as its glamorous counterparts, Lisbon is one of western Europe’s sunniest and prettiest cities and home to great historical sites– making it an ideal place to work remotely.
The term “volunteering” is often associated with a ‘hard work, no pay’ set up – this could not be further from the truth. While giving is at the core of volunteering, volunteers reap benefits as well. Skills-based volunteering, also know as pro bono, brings new experiences, from learning a new language to exploring new locales. More importantly, there is a whole range of skills that can be gained from this brand of volunteering, which can significantly benefit professional development.
Venturer, Lindsay Chandler, speaks about her experience with Enable Medellin through the Venture with Impact program this past November.
For many, fulfillment stems from the monetary value of their career. Success is equated to the amount they’ve earned, saved and invested. Others find comfort by following their passion. When looking at the bigger picture, however, some find it essential to contribute to a cause larger then themselves.
