ABOUT THIS SERIES: At Remote Equipment, we make gear that enables people to unplug from a hardwired world. In this series, we look deeper at those creatively redefining what it means to work remotely.

Let's start with a disclaimer: Emily Mendes does indeed work in an office, quite often in the traditional 9-to-5 sense. But that doesn't mean she doesn't also work remotely – and when she does, she conducts business in some truly remarkable places.

            Ah, the joys of working in the world of travel.

            Mendes, 26, works as a Senior Account Manager at Education First Go Ahead Tours, a travel planning company that organizes immersive, experiential itineraries in 87 countries and on all seven continents. Her office is in Cambridge, MA, – essentially Boston – but she spends much of her free time traveling to far-flung places.
            And it’s her job that provides much of the inspiration to travel.
            "My role is pretty evenly divided between sales and then handling the logistics for a trip we have lined up," she said. "We get to look at and research so many travel options and doing that certainly opens up the opportunity to go abroad."
            The company encourages travel, too. Each year, Mendes accompanies one of the trips she’s planned, and last year they brought all employees to corporate headquarters in Zurich.

TRAVEL ATTRACTION

The Education First Go Ahead Tours job was made for Mendes, who grew up in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating in 2019 from Skidmore College – where she was a standout midfielder on the women's soccer team – she moved to Madrid to teach English. At Skidmore, she spent a semester in Ecuador, traveled with the team for an off-season trip to Ireland, and played with other Division III players in Costa Rica.

            "The allure in traveling is being somewhere unfamiliar and gaining insight into how other people live outside of your little bubble," she said. "I studied a language in college, and I enjoy seeing that first-hand, in putting my education to work."

            In addition to visiting Colorado and Glacier National Park in Montana, Mendes made recent trips to St. Maarten, London, Italy, Ireland, and Peru. 

            "Most of the trips I plan now for myself involve some sort of physical activity, like hiking," she said. "The adventure-style trips are more rewarding. I like being in a place less traveled, kind of off the beaten path, and working toward something you wouldn’t see otherwise."

ALWAYS IN NEED OF A BAG

Folks with numerous stamps on their passports typically have strong preferences about the bags, backpacks, and luggage they use while traveling. Mendes has her opinion.
            "You need to have a bag you can carry on," she said. "It needs to have pockets or several compartments, and it needs to be durable."
            For the past few months, Mendes wore a CHARLIE 25 on her back. It is a backpack that lives up to her standards. It works great as a carry-on, has interior storage, and it's exceedingly durable. It will serve her well when she travels again.

            And she will, of course, travel again, soon: Egypt and Jordan are on the docket later this year.

A PRO'S TRAVEL TRICKS

We couldn't let somebody who works, lives, and breathes in the travel industry go without asking for a few of her favorite tips. After a few seconds of reflection, Mendes offered these parting words of wisdom.
            • "Above all else, get a credit card with travel rewards. Make sure it gets you the maximum points per dollar spent."
            • "We preach it day in and day out, but carry-on luggage only! I only check a bag under very specific circumstances. If I have to check a bag, I get this rush of anxiety not knowing where my bag is."
            • "TSA Precheck is life-changing, especially if you fly in and out of a larger airport. It's worth the extra expense."      

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