- Name: Anthony Ray Chambers
- Age: 33
- Home town: Raleigh, NC
- Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts - Classic Guitar Performance
- Current position: Gap Year Instructor, Rustic Pathways
- Organization description: Rustic Pathways runs more than 100 gap year programs across 20 countries, ranging in duration from 1 week to 10 months. They integrate education, travel and philanthropy, to create a one-of-a-kind experiences.
- Bio: Anthony studied classic guitar performance in university, but now travels the globe with groups of students, as a Gap Year Instructor with Rustic Pathways. Over the past 6 years Anthony has worked everywhere from China, to the Middle East, Australia and South East Asia.
- Countries I've worked in: United States, Jamaica, France, Nepal, India, Oman, United Arab Emirates, China, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia
- Sector / subsectors: Education, Tourism, Travel
- Country: Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vietnam, Worldwide
- Region: North America, Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, Oceania, Asia, Central Asia, East Asia
- Sector: Education, Tourism & hospitality
- Degree subject: Fine Arts
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Who are you and what do you do?
Meet Anthony Chambers, gap year leader. He's on the road 10 months a year, helping gap year students get the most out of their experience. The ultimate career for globetrotters?
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What was your career trajectory? How did you end up here?
Find out how Anthony went from a music major in university, to working for the Boy Scouts of America, to travelling the world an alternative education instructor.
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What was your career trajectory? How did you end up here?
Find out how Anthony went from a music major in university, to working for the Boy Scouts of America, to travelling the world an alternative education instructor.
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What are some of the personal challenges of working internationally?
Anthony, and his amazing dreadlocks, draw attention everywhere he goes. He tells us some hilarious stories, and some personal lessons he's learned on the road.
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What about professional challenges?
Anthony talks about "sabai sabai" attitudes in foreign countries.
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Can you give a snapshot of what an average week in the life might look like for you?
In this job you're part chef, part nurse, part shoulder to cry on, while entertaining a group of teens and ignoring your own personal needs. Sound like fun yet?
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Wow, getting bad news you're so far away must be really difficult. How you do you deal with that?
Anthony gets honest about the hard reality of being away from your family when disaster strikes.
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What abilities and qualities are needed to succeed in this field?
The one thing Anthony wrote on his resume that opened up doors for him, for better and for worse.
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What are misconceptions about your job. What do people think you do, versus what you actually do?
When you work where people go on vacation, there are lots of misconceptions about how glamorous your job is. Anthony clears it up.
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As far as education and certification goes, what will help someone wanting to enter this field?
Anthony breaks down the certifications that will help you excel in this field, the reality of getting paid, and why he owes a jungle-dwelling medicine man for saving his finger.
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As far as education and certification goes, what will help someone wanting to enter this field?
Anthony breaks down the certifications that will help you excel in this field, the reality of getting paid, and why he owes a jungle-dwelling medicine man for saving his finger.
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As far as education and certification goes, what will help someone wanting to enter this field?
Anthony breaks down the certifications that will help you excel in this field, the reality of getting paid, and why he owes a jungle-dwelling medicine man for saving his finger.
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What are the various fields/streams in this industry?
You don't have to work with children, or be a teacher, if you want to work in the international travel or experiential education industry. Anthony breaks down other options.
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What's your best advice for getting your foot in the door?
Anthony gives his best advice for succeeding in this field; starting local, aiming far, and building bridges.
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You mentioned 2 different fields: outdoor education and international travel / high adventure. Can you explain those, and how they differ?
Anthony gives insight into how this industry functions, and how to decide which field is best for you.
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What are your best tips for interviewing in this field?
How do you convince an employer that you're worth $60,000 in travel expenses?
Tags: interviews -
Is there work-life balance in this industry?
With some assistance from his girlfriend off-camera, Anthony tells us about the reality and challenges of work-life balance, and importance of saying "I love you, man."
