Taking time off to travel, cultivate your passions or test drive different careers isn’t easy once you’re out in the Real World. Thankfully, there are a lot of opportunities out there for individuals wanting to make the most out of their vacation time, further their career or find a new one in their spare time!
Here are a few of YSN‘s favorite clubs, camps and classes. If you don’t see your interest here, just use your imagination and do a simple internet search for an opportunity in your desired field or industry.
Maverick Business Adventures: Busy entrepreneurs will appreciate this all-new travel club that mixes adventure with high-level networking. Designed to be an exclusive, members-only club for top entrepreneurs and business owners with a proven track record, the company was founded by Yanik Silver. His affinity for extreme sports always leaves him with a profound sense of accomplishment and has often led to breakthroughs in ideas, focus and business thinking. Maverick Business Adventure’s next trip, “Airborne Action,” takes place in Las Vegas May 15-18, 2008, and includes a Zero-G weightless flight aboard a private jet with a NASA astronaut; dinner with Dr. Peter Diamandis, X-Prize founder; a hands-on, dog fight simulation in real combat aircraft; a private helicopter rendezvous into the Grand Canyon; a “What’s Working” business building & brainstorming sessions; and learning from and networking with an additional business celebrity icon (TBA).
Le Cordon Bleu: Aspiring chefs can hone their cooking skills through one of the world’s top culinary institutions. At Le Cordon Blue’s Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute in Canada, food lovers can sign up for four day classes and weekend getaways that will teach you everything from holiday baking to international cuisine. At the facilities in Paris, France, Le Cordon Bleu offers day, evening, two day and four day courses, including a Paris Market Tour, traditional bread baking, and food and wine pairing.
Hellscenes: If you have ever wanted to learn the ins and outs of crime scene investigation, Hellscenes is a crime scene fantasy camp in Ohio, USA. Its website doesn’t give detailed information but serious inquiries can be directed to info@hellscenes.com or (440) 812-7722.
Jim Russell Racing School: Anyone who wants to put the pedal to the metal and speed around a professional racetrack should signup for the Formula Race Car Experience. This full day experience puts you behind the wheel of a real Formula One race car at the world famous Infineon Raceway in Northern California. If a full day is too much to handle, signup for the three- hour Russell Test Drive.
Fashion Institute of Technology: Enrolling in the non-credit courses at the Center for Professional Studies is a great way for anyone in the fashion industry to stay current with today’s trends, learn new skills or find opportunities. It’s also a great way to test out the fashion industry and see if its right for you. Courses range from “Fashionspeak: How to Get What You Want, When You Need It” to “Color for Wardrobe Planning” (great for aspiring stylists and personal shoppers) to “Bauble, Bangle, and Bead Stringing” (great for jewelry designers). Most courses take place in New York City and some are offered online.
Jovie Baclayon, who often forgets that you’re only as old as you think, is the editorial director for YSN.com and an expert in the experiences faced by emerging adults. To learn more, check out Jovie’s YSN portfolio and feel free to e-mail her! She blogs every Wednesday and Friday on Waste Time Wisely.
