Putting My Passion to Work
As a 30 year career Army Soldier, I’ve often been asked if I have enjoyed my time in the military or rather have been asked if I love what I do. An important life lesson learned over time is that people perform better at tasks that they either enjoy doing or simply want to do. How much better would one perform whilst doing something they love? What if it was their passion in life to do it? Could you imagine the possibilities? As I transition from military to civilian life after more than 30 years of knowing exactly what I am going to wear to work each day, I have to make a choice. Do I start a whole new career or do I simply get a job that will keep the lights on?
Traveling has always been my passion. As an Independent Travel Agent, I’m now able to help others realize their dreams of travel to exotic places and foreign shores while working from home or wherever my path leads me. My love of travel began while listening to stories being read to me as a child. When I learned to read for myself, reading allowed me to imagine myself visiting the places I’d read about. My travels began with a school trip to Europe. We visited Paris, Nice, Monaco, Pisa, and Rome; it was the trip of a lifetime, and to experience it at age 16, I knew I had to see even more of the world. Travel and learning other languages became my absolute passion. Enlisting into the US Army gave me the opportunity to do both.
Since that first magical trip to Europe with my high school French Club, I’ve biked the trails in Bavaria, Germany, hiked in the German alps near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, fed the birds in London, U.K’s Trafalgar Square, kayaked in the Puget Sound, hiked the lava canyons and Ape Cave of Mount St. Helen National Park, braved the white water rapids of the White Salmon River, and Zip-lined across the treetops in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. I’ve experienced exciting adventures and enjoyed relaxing cruises in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas.
My experience as a seasoned traveler and my desire to see the world presents me with an opportunity that should have been obvious, but took the nudging of certain friends and family members for me to actually consider making it official. I’ve arranged so many vacations for others and organized their itineraries based on their needs that this really seems like the obvious choice for me to do what I absolutely love. So what’s your passion? What motivates you? What drives you? Can you translate that into a marketable skill or career or is it a noble calling? Are you ready to take flight? Are you as passionate about travel as I am? Would like to earn additional income as a travel professional?
As for me, I’m gearing up for my next adventure to travel while helping others save while traveling. The question of whether or not I love what I do can be answered quickly and without reservation; YES! The world is my office!
Cheers,
Katherine Amedee-Brandt