Brian Kurth

"I truly believe work should not be a four-letter word. The road not taken should not be considered a scary detour never explored. Finding the work you love, exploring your passions and fulfilling your dreams can be a reality no matter what your stage of life. Make a plan, grab that brass ring, go for the adventure and seize the opportunity ... what are you waiting for?"

Brian Kurth, www.vocationvacations.com

Brian Kurth, founder and president of VocationVacations® (www.vocationvacations.com), is a recognized dream job lifestyle expert who believes it is never too late or the wrong time to pursue a dream job or follow your passions. Both a dreamer and a realist, Brian is a sought after speaker who brings personal experience, practical insights and a "can-do" approach to exploring your dream job and uncovering your passions. He is the author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job - A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love" (Hachette, 2008).

A self-professed former "Dilbert", Brian spent more than a decade in the corporate world working his way up in product marketing within the telecommunications industry with AT&T and Ameritech and then switching to the dot.com industry becoming the director of business development for a dot.com startup.

In 1999, numb from his passion for what he did for a living and staring at brake lights on Chicago's Kennedy Expressway, he daydreamed about what it would be like to be a wine marketer, a tour guide or a dog trainer. He thought there must be a company that arranged short-term internships to help people explore their dream jobs. But with research, Brian discovered there weren't any companies offering this opportunity. A business idea was born.

Following a lay-off from the dot.com company in 2001, Brian took a six-month trip across the country trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. He decided to dust off his unique "expressway born" business idea and realized his ultimate dream job was to start a company to help others find theirs.

Brian landed in Portland, Oregon, and in January 2004 launched VocationVacations - a one-of-a-kind company that offers the opportunity to test-drive a dream job under the guidance of an expert mentor. Today, the company has a team of hundreds of mentors across the country in more than 150 dream jobs.

The success of this unique company has positioned Brian as a leading expert in the field of career and lifestyle change. He utilizes lessons learned from his own experience and those of his many "vocationers," who range in age from 18 to 80. He has shared his wit and wisdom on NBC's TODAY Show, NBC Nightly News, and CNN, to name a few and has been quoted in a wide range of publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and Fortune Magazine.

Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Brian graduated from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in political science, history and international relations and earned his masters degree in political science from Loyola University in Chicago. For more information on Brian, call 971.544.1535 or email info@vocationvacations.com