My 18 year old daughter embarked on a big international adventure last month. First stop San Francisco. The farewell was a mix of sadness, joy, envy and pride that someone so young was about to take on the world. An 18 year old international traveller has more in common with an Association Professional than you might think. First and foremost is the real sense of purpose. A burning desire to experience the world. A commitment to also volunteer and help others – facilitated through a range of pre-organised placements. With that purpose came detailed planning to ensure a successful trip. Previous hard work and disciplined saving contributed to a build-up of cash reserves. Sponsors (family) provided valuable underpinning support. To maximise the experience, networking with fellow colleagues and travellers will be important. Learning along the way and risk awareness are both essential. Looking for, and grasping, opportunities en-route (and a dose of good luck) will certainly help. The wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm of an 18 year old traveller compelled me to focus on my purpose (community focused outcomes) and that of AuSAE (career success for Association Professionals). What is your purpose and how can AuSAE assist you to achieve that? Let us know, we would love to hear from you!