Remote Profile: Chrissy Barnum — Remote Year

I really wanted to take a year to challenge my (rather traditional) perception of what constitutes a successful and happy career. 

Also, we live in a beautiful and amazing world full of fascinating people…I can’t think of a single good reason to turn down an opportunity to go out and see it.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?

I am supporting Accenture’s Nonprofit Group, which is headquartered in Washington, DC and serves a large variety of nonprofit clients. I’ll work with my team on business development, market research, internal collaboration and knowledge sharing, and more. I have an awesome job, and I think we’re doing great things to make the world a better place. We also make several hilarious jokes per day. 

On the side, I’m blogging about social entrepreneurs all over the world on my site, www.impactbeacon.com. I am having an absurd amount of fun with it.  

HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?

I found a wonderful team at Accenture with leaders who believe in supporting their people and creating an environment that is the best place to work. Then I asked them if I could do Remote Year and for reasons I still don’t fully understand, they (read: she…thanks Elaine) said yes. 

I’ve also heard through the grapevine that getting what you want is this funny thing that exists at the intersection of opportunity, preparation and hard work. But whatever, let’s not overthink this one.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?

Go bring travel into your life. 

You’ll probably get lost at least one time and that is fine. You will survive. You should also know that your GPS in google maps will work even if you don’t have local service. Use the blue dot, people, use the blue dot. 

Lived: Connecticut, North Carolina, Washington DC, Madrid, Zambia
Traveled: Thailand, Turkey, France, Spain, Morocco, Germany, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Canada, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Zambia, Botswana and various locations in the Caribbean

 

WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR TRAVEL COME FROM?

I’m very fortunate to have been raised by parents who gave me every opportunity to travel. From an early age, I’ve traveled within the US and overseas. I’ve got the bug and it’s never going away.

DESCRIBE YOUR REMOTE YEAR EXPERIENCE SO FAR IN 3 WORDS.

What the heck?

IF YOU HAD TO BE STUCK ON AN ISLAND WITH ANOTHER REMOTE, WHO WOULD IT BE? 

Dustin Johnson because he’s a pilot. No one said there wasn’t a plane on the island. Got you on a technicality, Remote Year. 

3 THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ON THE ROAD? 

My head, my heart, and my toothbrush. 

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON THE GLOBE?

1. Maya Bay, Thailand at sunset2.The Zambezi River at sunrise

3. Paris, France all the time