Sucheta Rawal
Food & Travel Writer
“Maybe your family members will say, 'You're wasting your time finding yourself. When are you going to get serious?' Ignore them. Fun can also be work; you can tie in the two.”
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Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Born and raised in India; moved to the United States at age 17 to go to Georgia State University.
She always had an interest in food and writing, so in between getting her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she wrote restaurant reviews for a magazine column and taught cooking classes.
She received her master’s degree in finance and worked in investment banking right out of college for a few years, but quickly became disinterested in the work.
One perk of her job at the time was generous amounts of paid time off, so she started traveling all over the world and began helping her friends and coworkers do the same.
With the support of those around her, she started a travel advice blog called Go Eat Give—its success eventually allowed her to leave the cubicle behind and travel full time.
Credits her “volunteer vacations” to Russia and Morocco with changing her from a tourist to a meaningful traveler—she emphasizes volunteering and giving back wherever you go in the world.
Those trips inspired her to transform her blog into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that plans sustainable tours and encourages people to learn about other cultures through food and travel.
She has now traveled to over 75 countries, written four children’s books about travel, is a sought-after writer and speaker, and continues to teach cooking classes.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Finance, General
Georgia State University
Finance, General
Georgia State University
Graduate
Finance, General
Georgia State University
Finance, General
Georgia State University
Career
Food & Travel Writer
I explore new places, try different foods, and share about my experiences with the world.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Travel
Non-Profit Organizations
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
I have two vastly different schedules. When I am out on a press trip, I have a packed schedule from 8am-midnight which includes meeting PR folks, interviewing people, tasting 7-course meals, touring the attractions & in between all that, finding time to make notes, take pictures & post on social media. When I am home between trips, I generally work from my couch, responding to emails, editing photos, writing blogs & articles, as well as coordinating my next trips.
Skills & Qualities Beyond School
You need to have a curious nature to do my work. You need to be able to relate to people, capture their emotions & articulate them. It would really help to have some skills in journalism & nonprofit management. Also, if you are well traveled & speak multiple languages, it is a big plus.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Go intern in the industry that you think you want to work in when you grow up. If you feel you fit in the work culture & enjoy your work, then pursue a degree in that field. You may have different skills & aptitude (in my case it was math) from where your heart is (in my case travel)!
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Family:
"When are you going back to your real job? Traveling isn't work."
I think there is a misconception that traveling can't be work or that work can't be fun. You can join the two together. I still struggle with explaining what I do to my family, who just see it as a pastime.
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation Immigrant
First-Generation Immigrant
When I came to the US, I was 17 years old & encountered a different way of life here. Back in India, you live with your parents till you get married & they support you financially & emotionally. Here, I had to learn to take care of myself.
Financial
Financial
I remember I needed a computer to do my college homework, so I would use my manager's computer. One day, he offered me an interest-free loan to buy my very first PC & deducted the payments from my paycheck every other week.