7 Surprising Ways Being an Au Pair Boosts Your Career

When I first packed my bags to become an Au Pair in Sweden 8 years ago, I had no idea I was taking the first step toward launching my professional career. Like many young people, I was looking for adventure, a chance to improve my language skills, and to experience the culture of a new country first-hand. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my year abroad would lay the foundations for my future career.

Looking back now, I can clearly see how being an Au Pair shaped me, not just personally, but professionally. Whether you're considering becoming an Au Pair or reflecting on your experience, here are 7 surprising ways being an Au Pair can boost your career:

1. Master Real-Life Communication Skills

Living with a Host Family and caring for children teaches you how to communicate clearly, patiently, and empathetically, skills that are essential in any job. When you're trying to explain bedtime rules in a second language or solve a toddler meltdown without panicking, you're building the kind of communication confidence that employers love.

Writing content for a global audience definitely requires a sensitivity to tone and clarity, which I developed while being an Au Pair. 

2. Adaptability

Life as an Au Pair is full of the unexpected: missed buses, last-minute schedule changes, and cultural misunderstandings. You learn to be flexible and find solutions quickly, which is exactly what's required in a fast-paced work environment.

My Au Pair year definitely taught me to embrace the unpredictable and stay calm under pressure. 

3. Intercultural Competence

In today's global job market, an understanding of different cultures is a major asset. Immersing yourself in a different culture teaches you how to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, navigate cultural differences, and embrace inclusivity and respect.

As an Au Pair, I lived in another country and got to know many people of different nationalities, which really helps me now in my job, because the team at AuPair.com is very international as well. 

4. Strong Work Ethic

Being responsible for children is no small task. You’re expected to be reliable, punctual, and consistent every single day. This sense of responsibility often translates into a strong work ethic back home.

These skills I gained during my Au Pair stay are useful in my job now. In my job, I am also expected to be reliable and punctual. Even though I don’t have the responsibility of children anymore, but work in an office, my job contains a lot of different responsibilities and tasks to manage, like copywriting, translations, content creation, meetings, etc. 

5. Improved Language Skills

Language immersion is one of the most obvious and most valuable professional benefits. Whether you become fluent or just more comfortable with casual conversation, your bilingual (or multilingual) abilities make your resume stand out.

My improved English skills from both of my Au Pair stays opened the door to translation work and made me a more competitive candidate for international roles. I now translate content for our platform with confidence.
 

6. Build a Global Network

As an Au Pair, you meet other Au Pairs, local families, and expats. These connections can lead to lifelong friendships, job referrals, and collaborations, enabling you to build a professional network across countries and industries.

Different events and experiences in my life led me to my current job. Everything is connected, and you always meet someone who helps you in some way. Whether it's just networking with others or an actual job placement.

7. Discover (and Refine) Your Career Path

Perhaps most importantly, being an Au Pair gives you the space and time to reflect. Away from the pressure of school or a traditional job, you can explore your passions, gain confidence, and figure out what truly excites you.

I never thought I would end up in this industry, but when I went abroad as an Au Pair for the first time, a whole new world opened up to me. Discovering new cultures, learning new languages, and meeting new people from different backgrounds - all of this made me realize that I wanted to do something with an international focus. And now, combining that with the Au Pair industry makes me very happy and feels like I've come full circle.

More Than Just a Gap Year

Being an Au Pair is so much more than just a cultural or personal experience. It’s professional development disguised as everyday life. From soft skills to serious career inspiration, the lessons you learn as an Au Pair stay with you long after your adventure ends.

So, if you're thinking about becoming an Au Pair or you've just returned from a year abroad and are wondering “What’s next?”, remember this: you’re already ahead! You’ve gained experiences that make you more mature, employable, and globally minded than most of your peers.

And who knows? Like me, your Au Pair year might just be the beginning of something bigger.

Have you been an Au Pair? How did it impact your career? Share your story with us, we would love to hear from you!