Journalist Larry Portzline, my co-author for DEFYING GRAVITY, TOO, is my guest blogger this week. Note that Mark Peffers is one of the men we interviewed for the book.
Imagine having the opportunity to "test-drive" your dream job for a couple of days. Maybe you want to become a brewmaster like Mark Peffers, or learn how to run a B&B, or find out what it's like to be a sports announcer. Or maybe you've always wanted to be a horse trainer, a music producer or a detective. VocationVacations® can help you to explore these possibilities and many more. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur and author Brian Kurth, the agency offers more than 150 hands-on "career immersion experiences" with expert mentors around the U.S. "It's ideal for anyone who's considering a career change," Kurth explains. "You get to work one-on-one with a professional, see what they do up-close and ask a million questions." Some of the most popular one- to three-day VocationVacations® cover the culinary, sports, design, animal, entertainment and hospitality fields. "People are trying to figure out what they really want to do," Kurth notes. "They want to find their true calling and pursue their passions, especially if they feel stuck in their current careers." Past vacationers have included attorneys, insurance executives, teachers and clerical workers, for example. "They come from all walks of life," Kurth says. "It's a risk-free way for them to explore the 'road not taken' or audition a new career without quitting their day-jobs." A former director of business development for a dot-com startup and a co-executive producer for the program "This Job's A Trip" on the Travel Channel, Kurth has pitched VocationVacations on CNN, MSNBC and "The Today Show." He also authored the book Test-Drive Your Dream Job: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love (2008, Hachette Group). "I always say, you test-drive a car before you buy it, whether it's a used Honda or a brand new Maserati," he explains. "Well, it's the same thing with a career. You should give yourself the opportunity to test-drive your dream job. And see how it feels." Visit www.vocationvacations.com for more information.
Interested in the idea? Take a few minutes to watch the video below:
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