When to travel and when to work

Hi guys

Looking for some advice

I'm planning to backpack around europe and will have enough money for about 3-4 months before I have to find work.

I plan to leave in Nov 2010 and wonder if its worth finding a job and working the european winter and then go all out in the summer from about April 2011. Or just travelling as soon as I get there. I have alot of friends that will be around the place in winter which is making this decision difficult.

Secondly.

After I've run out of money I'll be looking for a job for about six months.

In regards to seasonal tourism job and bar work, is it ambitious to try and find anything outside of the UK without speaking another language? I speak some spanish.

I have no qulaifications but experience in many outdoor activities.

In regards to fixed employment

At the moment I have an outdoor education degree, a social sciences degree and a few vehicle licences. By the end of next year I'll have a Secondary School teaching qualification. Much of this is not relevant to what I have outlined but maybe someone might know how to apply them to short working periods.

Thanks heaps.

You have to find a job first where your employer is ready to sponsor you for work permit. For Americans it is much easier to get a work permit (if they have appropriate skills/education) than other nations.

So I'd say start looking for jobs in Europe. But again, life is expensive here plus language can be a barrier if u are moving to mainland Europe (only UK or Ireland can be good for you when it comes to language).

If you decide to work the winter looking for jobs in the ski resorts is a good place to start, often you don't need to be able to speak anything other than English as you will be looking after tourists. There is normally plenty or bar work, or chalet hosting/cleaning etc etc. The best thing is that you can go skiing on your days off!