MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce? is written by Maren Kate Donovan, CEO of Zirtual.  Recent graduates are in a unique position; free from structure and responsibilities for the first time – at least until they find a job. This is the perfect (and maybe the only) time to set aside weeks or months to discover yourself and the world around you. Instead of immediately diving into a career, I recommend that millennials get a low-key job that affords them the ability to save up money, and then take time off to travel. It might sound crazy given the staggering amount of debt students currently graduate with, but this was hands-down the best decision I ever made.  After leaving college I didn’t jump right into the workforce. Instead, I was a bartender for six months with the goal of saving up just enough money to travel to Italy. And I did exactly that; for a month I lived abroad and fully immersed myself in the Italian culture. It was life-changing. During this time, I actually learned about outsourcing and virtual work, which ultimately led me to create Zirtual.  Never in a million years did I think a business idea would be the outcome when I was originally planning this trip. More importantly, I never thought it would not be the result. Traveling abroad is the first step, but in order to fully make the most of the experience our apprehensions, prejudices, and fears need to take a backseat.  While these feelings exist to keep us safe, I believe all young adults should welcome the unknown for at least this period of self-discovery. Whether you can travel for a few weeks or a few months, just do it. You’ll never be in this unique situation again, so make the most of it — expand your outlook of the world and never stop learning.  Read all answers to the MPW Insider question: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce?  The downsides of technology in a hyper-connected world by Cheryl Cook, vice president of global channels and alliances at Dell.  The perfect job doesn’t exist, so focus on this instead by Erin Ganju, co-Founder and CEO of Room to Read.  Barbara Bush: How to find a mentor by Barbara Bush, co-founder of Global Health Corps.  What you can actually learn from getting fired by Gay Gaddis, CEO and founder of T3.  Why social media is a blessing (and a curse) by Pam Wickham, vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Raytheon Company.  The most important thing to consider when accepting a job offer by Lisa Donohue, CEO of Starcom USA.  6 key benefits of having a mentor by Carolyn Rodz, CEO of Market Mentor.  The myth behind climbing the corporate ladder by Shiza Shahid, co-founder and ambassador of Malala Fund.  The one word that will boost your career by Jennifer Steinmann, Chief Talent Officer of Deloitte.  6 ways to determine if you’re in the right career by Debby Hopkins, CEO at Citi Ventures.  There’s no such thing as a linear career path by Trish Lukasik, Senior Vice President of Sales at PepsiCo.  Want to succeed in your career? Get uncomfortable by Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.  Listen to your gut — it could make you CEO one day by Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water.  Why millennials have the power to change the workplace — for good by Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership.  Why passion may not be enough to build a successful career by Sarah Leary, co-founder and vice president of marketing and operations at Nextdoor.  How to build a career, not just a job by Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership.  Best lesson from your first job: discovering your weaknesses by Ann Marie Petach, Senior Managing Director of Solutions Group at BlackRock.  3 ways to get noticed at work by Liz Wiseman, President of Wiseman Group.  Can millennials revolutionize business? by Erica Dhawan, co-author of “Get Big Things Done” and CEO of Cotential.  Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chavez: My best career advice for millennials by Anna Maria Chavez, CEO of the Girl Scouts of America.
You may be itching to get a job after college, but instead use this time to travel and discover the world.